Since news first broke of a new Waja replacement car based on a Mitsubishi Lancer, Proton has undergone much criticism as consumers are perceiving this as the national car company stepping backwards. This is understandable as most laymen who do not track the auto industry as closely as enthusiasts would not know that the modern trend is to badge engineer your non-core models (or even your core models!) to save on development costs so that cash can be focused on core models.
What they know is that Proton started off rebadging Mitsubishis – the Lancer in particular – and now they are back to rebadging a Lancer. In their minds, they’re probably asking what is the point of a national carmaker then, especially one that is perceived to be the reason that the Japanese brands that they want to buy are so expensive?
Datuk Syed Zainal told us at the post-drive media roundtable that it was not an easy decision for Proton to decide to use a reengineered Lancer for the new P3-90A. Not only will the rakyat grill them but there will surely be drama in the Parliament. However, it was a business decision, and a rational one.
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