STAFF APPRECIATION- PROTON EDAR @ PUTRAJAYA

It was a very rare occasion to have 3 General Managers from Proton Edar at our Proton Edar Showroom in Putrajaya. The 3 GM(s) led the police escorted 6 Inspira car convoy and accompanied by dozens of Proton Edar personnel which we of course, made full use of their visit to our showroom...

We took the opportunity of their visit to recognized and introduced the team@ Proton Edar Putrajaya.

We invited Yg Berusaha En Kamsani Ahmad, Proton Edar General Manager (Sales) to introduced him to the customers and our team @ Putrajaya before giving him the honour to award the certificates for our TOP SALES ACHIEVERS for the month of October 2010.

The top achievers were also given a hamper as our gratitude for their performance... (of course the money & commission was well rewarded too).

PART-2: PROTON INSPIRA CONVOY TO PRECINT 15 & PRECINT 9 @ PUTRAJAYA

One of the stop during the PROTON INSPIRA Police escorted Convoy was at PROTON EDAR PUTRAJAYA Showroom No. 1, Jalan Diplomatic 2/2, Precint 15, 62050, Putrajaya.
This is a photo-blog of Proton Convoy 1 hour pit-stop at Putrajaya presint 15 & Presin 9.

No. 1, Jalan Diplomatic 2/2, Precint 15, 62050, Putrajaya

The Inspira technology..

PROTON INSPIRA @ PUTRAJAYA- PART 1

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YB Dato Seri Mustapa Mohamad yesterday launched the latest addition to proton stable of cars, the PROTON INSPIRA at PROTON Centre of Excellence in USJ.

At PUTRAJAYA, we launched the vehicle with invitations sent to all PUTRAJAYA residence, Ministries and government agencies.

Our team-members were all ready to serve any inquiries and and to serve anyone.

My team members.. the back bone of PROTON EDAR @ PUTRAJAYA 

OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF PROTON INSPIRA

10 November 2010. YB Dato Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry officially launched the Proton Inspira at Proton Centre of Excellence, USJ Subang Jaya. Also present at the launching YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as PROTON Advisor, Dato Seri Nadzmi Salleh, PROTON Chairman, Dato Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, PROTON Managing Director, Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim, Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer, me as the President, PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (PEDA), Datuk Yahya Jaafar, Deputy President PEDA, other committee members of PEDA, Datuk Dr Wan Mohamed Wan Embong President PROTON VENDORS Association and Dato Aishah Ahmad President Malaysia Automotive Association.  The head and stakeholders of every PROTON ECO-system was presence.
 

Hasli Hashim, MAYBANK Managing Director, Hamirullah Boorhan, MAYBANK Head of Retail business (Automobile Financial Services), Zakri Mohd Khir Chief Executive Officer of Allianz General Insurance Company (M) Berhad (AGIC), Shahrul Hisham Tahir from AMBANK, Public Bank and other banks were all at PROTON. I was seated beside Tatsuo Makamura, Mitsubishi Corporation General Manager and Haji Rali Mohd Nor, Proton Parts Centre Managing Director.

BUNG MOKTAR WAS NAIVE, INSENSITIVE AND LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY: PEDA

PRESS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, “The dealers fraternity are disappointed with the remark made by BackBencher’s Club Deputy Chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin calling for Proton to be wound up for embarrassing the nation by producing a rebadged Mitsubishi Lanser as Proton Inspira”, said Armin Baniaz Pahamin, President PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA.

The remark made by Bung Moktar was naïve and insensitive without a clear understanding on the automotive industry especially Proton. The introduction of Proton Inspira  is an addition into the current Proton stable of cars. The Proton Inspira created a new market for Proton to penetrate, a market that is currently being dominated by the Korean and other Japanese makes.

PROTON INSPIRA UNVEILED

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14 October 2010. Dato' Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir today unveiled the new Waja replacement model code-named P3-90A. The soft-launching of the P3-90A was held at the Crystal Showroom, Proton Edar Centre of Excellent, USJ Subang Jaya. I arrived late having had to attend a dialogue with the Ministry of Domestic Trace Co-operatives and Consumerism pertaining to the HP-Act amendments. The meeting was chaired by Dato' Daud Tahir, The Deputy Secretary General (Domestic Trade) and attended by the members of the Malaysia Automotive Association headed by Dato Aishah Ahmad. The dialogue had cleared many confusions in the interpretation of the amendments but this is a story for another occasion.

After a short speech, Dato Syed Zainal revealed the name of the new Proton as PROTON INSPIRA and awarded the 'name-the-new-proton' contest winner with a big huge cheque.. size. The winner brought back RM10,000.

PROTON INSPIRA, a collaborative effort between Proton and Mitsubishi will be retailing from RM79,880 for a 1.8 manual, will penetrate a new market segment that is currently being dominated by Toyota and Honda.

PROTON LATEST PROMOTION... ONLY IN SEPTEMBER

1 SEPTEMBER 2010... PROTON EDAR had announced its latest promotion for September!!! The promotion was announced in-conjunction with the Independence Day and the Aidil Fitri promotion... up to RM3,500 on certain selected model.

Err I mean... over and above the earlier announced 20 years Anni, Aidil Fitri and Independance day promotion.

For full detail.. browse here; to book click here.

MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE & INDUSTRY

17 AUGUST 2010. PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (PEDA) & PROTON EDAR had our regular meeting with the MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE & INDUSTRY (MITI) at Government Offices Complex, Jalan Duta Kuala Lumpur, today.

The meeting was attended by:

Noor Wahida Noordin, MITI Director, Sectoral Policy 1
Ahmad Kamal Mohamad MITI Assistant Director. Sectoral Policy and Industrial Services
Mohamad Syukor Ibrahim, PROTON EDAR Chief Executive Officer
Armin Baniaz Pahamin, PEDA President
Sidik Abdul Hamid, PROTON EDAR General Manager
Azwan Yahya, PROTON EDAR HOD.

PROTON EDAR'S STRICT QUALITY CONTROL

1. There are now another layer of quality inspection and testing over and above the Quality Control (QC) check done at the Plant before distribution.

2. Every PROTON Exora and Saga have to undergo a strict inspection and testing before the vehicles are allowed to be delivered to customers. 

3. From the Shah Alam Plant, Konsortium Logistic Berhad was contracted to collect all vehicles from the plant and delivered to Sijankang. The Konsortium must observe a 3-points manual physical inspection before mobilising the vehicles up the trailer for delivery to the Central-Hub, Sijankang, Selangor.

4. The 3-Point inspections are: (1) DENTED (2) SCRATCHES (3) LOOSE ITEMS. All vehicles must passed the 3-point manual physical inspection before being transported to SIJANGKANG Central Hub.

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY PROTON

We received PROTON Holdings Berhad invitation card early for the celebration of Proton 25 years silver jubilee on 9 July 2010.

The celebration was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 9 July 2010 and 2500 guests were invited including former pioneer staff of Proton. Malaysia Prime Minister YAB Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak was the guest of Honor. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali as well as most dignitaries attended the historic event.

ROUND-TABLE MEETING WITH MAYBANK BERHAD

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24 June 2010, Dataran Maybank Bangsar. PEDA executive committees had an official round-table meeting with Maybank Autofinance team at the Dataran Maybank in Bangsar.

Personally, I have a long 13 years good history with Maybank since 1997. Maybank was the first Bank that offered my first business facility during the inception of my Proton Edar Dealership after my merchank banking days with the Commerce International Merchank Bankers Berhad (Now known as CIMB Investment Bank).

The first Maybank Manager that attended to me was Murad whom was then the Maybank Branch Manager for Klang in 1997. Murad was the first Manager that introduces me to the Floor-stocking facilities. When Murad was transfered to Medan Pasar, Norhisham Hashim took over the Klang Branch. Through Norisham, I learn the automotive trade and very negligibly through by Proton Edar.

After Norisham, Musawir attended to me when my facility was transfered to Puchong. 13 years later, all of them are now a prominent banker with an office on the highest floor at the Dataran Maybank, Bangsar. Alhamdulillah, everybody are successful.

PROTON 4U DAY... AT PROTON EDAR @ PUTRAJAYA

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5 June 2010, it is Proton For You Day.. or weekend rather, at  PROTON EDAR at PUTRAJAYA.  Proton 4 U Day/Weekend is a customer's appreciation weekend. We are grateful towards the support that was given to Proton since establishment for already 25 years and hope to gauge a clearer and closer understanding of what Malaysian needs.

PROTON CHAIRMAN'S AWARD

"In conjunction with PROTON's 25 year anniversary this year, there could be no better time than to introduce the Chairman's Award" Mohd Shukor Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer Proton Edar Sdn Bhd

A DAY WITH YABhg TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMED

12 May 2010. PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (PEDA) was pleased to meet YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad (Tun Dr Mahathir's FACEBOOK) the Perdana Leadership Foundation . I was accompanied by my Deputy President/Southern Region Head Dato Yahya Jaafar, Vice-President/Northern Region Head Abu Lais Walli Mohamed, Vice President/Central Lee Lick Sai, Secretary General/Northern Jeff Lim Si Heong, Hon Treasurer/Central Adam Khan Omar Khan, AJK/Seremban Fadzil Bakar, East Coast Region Head Mohd Jasmin Ismail, AJK/Central Region Fathul Rahman, AJK/Seremban Dr Wan Ikmal Dato Seri Wan Ahmad, AJK/East Coast Mohd Zainuri Ab Halim.

PEDA APOLOGIZES TO PROTON BUYER FOR THE MINOR GLITCHES IN DELIVERIES

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Beginning on 1 April 2010, Proton Edar had adopted and implemented a new system that should enhance and benchmark Proton delivery qualities as well as STANDARDIZE the quality of Proton cars to be delivered to customers. Previous to the new system, dealers and showrooms PDI-ed (Pre-Delivery Inspection) the vehicles individually and there were no standard delivery quality of Proton Cars.

The new system, will enhanced and standardized the quality of vehicles to be delivered to the customer. However, there were some minor glitches that had caused some delay in the vehicle deliveries coupled by the unstable e-daftar and e-kastam online payment.

Although these are beyond the dealers, PEDA apologized for any inconveniences to the affected Proton buyer. Rest assure, counter-measures has been taken to rectify the delay.

Click Star paper and Malaysia Reserves for full stories.

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PROTON EDAR 2010 DEALERS CONVENTION & PEDA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010

12 APRIL 2010, One World Hotel. Proton Edar held its annual dealer's convention attended to by all Proton Edar dealers and sales branches throughout Malaysia (including East Malaysia). Guests arrived as early as 7am to avoid the morning horrendous traffic.

The Convention began with Proton Managing Director Yg Bhg Dato Syed Zainal Abidin's opening remark.. It was too long to be called a speech. When Dato Syed Zainal first came to Proton, Dato Syed called upon all dealers and stake-holders to support him. Dato Syed inherited a legacy of endless flaw with more than 40,000 units of unsold ex-stocks despite at least RM3000 overtrade/bulk discount per car thrown to the market.

Last year, Proton's sales increased by more than 10,000 units despite the recession. For the first time in my 13 years as a dealer, there were no car-dumping to dealers when Proton Edar Financial Year ended end of last month. So if anybody were to ask me how Proton performs? I will ask them to interpret that statement themselves.

During the convention and still very humble Dato Syed Zainal admitted Proton is far from where we should be and further plead to all dealers and everybody in the network to stand united against any complacency. Although Dato' Syed Zainal spoke for more than half an hour........ other messages have to be censored! But we are proud that Dato Syed Zainal is still humble, pro-active and open for any productive criticism as well as approachable. Dato Syed Zainal was very passionate and inspirational. PEDA and our network will strongly stand united with Proton and against any obstacles.

After the opening remark by Dato Syed Zainal, En Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim, Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer presented Proton Edar's current sales strategy and the direction forward. Again, I could not elaborate due to some confidentiality but Shukor's opening speech was an eye opener.

There were three other speakers by Kamsani Ahmad, Zahari Hussein and a German quality director. All details were sensitive but rest assure, Malaysia is in for a head-turning event.

The last speaker was Abdul Sidik Hamid, Proton Edar General Manager for Sales. Sidik.. sort of Proton's version of Obama first made us laugh with some jokes then suddenly... sort of having PMS, he started scolding us!! very typical of a Mamak but having walked his talk and rid the ocean pool of ex-stocks (without any discounting) when he first came to Proton Edar, whatever that he says did ended-up with good results. Of course, as per other details........ we cannot divulge any information of what transpired.

There were no entertainment, No music, no dancing, no jumping, no free T'shirt, no free cap and no complimentary gift except for one RM2 Proton PEN.. as in pen that we use to write.

Once, dealers convention was all about appreciating the dealers with some joget, dancing and stand-up comedian but now, dealers convention was all about speeches and scolding. Once, Dealers convention was all marketing and branding Proton with Proton Tshirts, caps, business card holders etc.... now we get RM2 pen which we seldom use with the advancement of Blackberry, Internet and computers.

After lunch, it was time for PEDA 11th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING..

PEDA Vice-President Abu Lais and Secretary General Jeff Lim Si Heong took the registration of attendance to ensure sufficient quorum for the AGM to convene. The quorum was more than enough and our meeting convened.

PEDA committee members. from left: Mr SB Siaw, Malkeet Singh, Fadzil, Adam Khan Omar Khan (Hon Treasurer), Lee Lick Sai (Vice-President), Jeff Lim Si Heong (Secretary General), Armin Baniaz Pahamin (President), Dato Yahya Jaafar (Deputy President),  Abu Lais Walli Mohamed (Vice-President), Jafry Samaaf, Mohd Jasmin Ismail, Fathul Rahman.

After all the speeches by other speakers........... it was time for my speech as PEDA President. When I was the Deputy President, I receive many complains from the dealers when the president then spoke in English... Some were very blunt that PEDA as an association that gathered all the dealers in Malaysia should be more member-friendly and converse in our mother tongue language Bahasa Malaysia. Now that I am the President, I have to listen to members demand.. and the whole week was spent translating and rehearsing my English speech into bahasa malaysia. Being a kelantanese that seldom converse in proper Bahasa Malaysia .. I have to also learn the correct pronunciation of certain words.

My speech is very important and I wanted everybody to understand and of course.. I cannot divulge whatever that was said here.

Despite not having any entertainment and a whole day of speeches and speeches. The convention ended with a strong message... PEDA AGM ended with an amendments to the Constitution that adopted Internal-Online-Web www.proton-dealers.com as a formal form of communication between members.

Now.............. let us stand united and strong to make Proton, Malaysia's No 1 choice!!

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LIFE IS ALL ABOUT TEST-DRIVING.....

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18 March 2010, Proton Edar Center Of Excellence. We proudly launched our latest Persona Elegance last weekend and it was more than just a make-up. Whilst I am killing myself at the Bootcamp to look good, the Elegance is looking better.

The new Persona Elegance was launched by Dato Syed Zainal Abidin, Proton Managing Director. 

There were more than 1000 guests that attended the launching. Most bankers, media and my committee members were there.

A week after the new Persona was launched, the network collected more than 1,500 bookings. When we checked with the Banks for the latest Persona NPL rate, is less than 0.6% which means we had attracted a stronger market segment.

If there is one major changes in Proton now... is the fact that any New Variance is launched when the vehicle is at the peak and not when the vehicle sales had plummeted.

As a dealer and the President for the Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia, my statement may be biased in favour of Proton... but don't take my word for it, call my sales team now, TEST-DRIVE THE CAR & JUDGE IT FOR YOURSELF......




1 ABDUL RAZAK BIN ABD RAHIM 019-729 8442


2 HAZIZUL BIN HARUN 019-300 1605


3 HUSNI BIN HALIM 013-265 3788


4 KHAIRIL AZAHAM BIN ARIS 012-620 4622


5 LAW CHEE LIONG 012-312 9957


6 MAHADI BIN ABDUL AZIZ 017-362 3649


7 MOHD FARID ALDRIN 012-308 7410


8 MOHD FIZAN BIN MAT SAAD 013-251 5858


9 MOHD SHARIF BIN ABDUL 012-357 5341


10 MOO CHEE YOONG 019-336 1923


11 NIK MOHD AZAN BIN RAJA BERAHIM 019-271 3414


12 SHAHARUDDIN BIN SARINGAT 012-978 3964


13 SYAHRIL BIN MOHAMMAD 013-257 7317


14 TIUN TZE KHIONG 016-209 9821


15 WAN MAZELINA BINTI AHMAD 019-310 0096


16 ZAIMI BIN ZAKARIA 012-368 7455


17 ZULKIFLI BIN MOHAMED 019-351 9381


Do not worry about the logistic and location, our sales personnel will meet you wherever you are. You will only know the differences in Quality and Design once you have TEST-DRIVEN the car. Well.. not just in car, we should also test drive anything or anyone before pursuing it further.... err too much information.

If you have any problem with any of my sales representative or any cars that you buy from me, you know where to find me.

If only life is as simple as a car.... for a sportier look, replace the bumper, change the wheel, modified the engine etc..... and I had to kill myself at the Bootcamp to look sportier.

and while the Persona have the whole Lotus designing team to look after it, I have to go to the gym alone to look after myself.....


Until next time......... Stay tune

Maybe I should get Lotus team to redesign me too....? 


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Proton Chairman suffers mild Stroke

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My driver prompt while driving to office this morning, he heard over the news last night that my friend that lived in Glenmarie was admitted in India. I have a few friends that stays in Glemarie and could not figure out who but immediately knew it was Proton Chairman when my driver mentioned the location where he brought me for breakfast.

I quickly called a few people to confirm and was affirmed that Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Proton Holdings Charman suffered from a mild heart attack in India. He was admitted at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai in the morning after complaining of chest pains. Nadzmi, 55, complained of discomfort while checking in at the Taj Coromandel Hotel and was rushed to the hospital.

According to the New Straits Time today, Nadzmi arrived in Chennai yesterday to participate in the investment and trade mission organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Martrade).

Nadzmi was discharged from the Intensive care unit and is transferred to a normal ward where he is recovering. His condition is said to be stable.

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Tun Mahathir is back in Proton...

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Rumours had been rife of Proton take-over by various parties. PEDA committee had our last meeting with Proton Chairman, Yg Bhg Dato' Nadzmi Salleh today before the next PEDA Annual General Meeting and election.

There are many uncertainties of the future direction of Proton. Many questions being asked if the present government under Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak will maintain the current Government Link Companies (GLCs) policy adopted by Tun Abdullah Badawi government or revert back to Tun Mahathir's privatisation policy.

The government too did not provide any clear indication although the industry is reacting as if the future direction is back towards privatising those GLCs... hence privatising Proton back to....... Kisai? Al-bukhary....?

Whichever direction the government is moving toward, I am relieved to see Tun Mahathir's new office as PROTON ADVISOR at the Proton Centre of Excellent.

Tun is scheduled to be at Proton twice a month every month to ensure Proton is on the right track.

With all the on-going speculations of Proton take-over, we believe in Tun Mahathir, Dato Nadzmi & especially Dato Syed Zainal Abidin to steer Proton back into its glory.......

PEDA OPPOSE AND OBJECT ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OVER PROTON

PROTON EDAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (PEDA)

PRESS RELEASE

PEDA OPPOSE AND OBJECT ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OVER PROTON

KUALA LUMPUR, September, "PEDA called on the government to put a stop on any negotiation and/or speculation on any attempt to take over Proton. Further speculation on take-over will destroy all the effort and initiative to revive Proton's goodwill, brandname and dealer's viability." Said Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Acting President PEDA.

Proton eco-system had suffered enough from various past speculation. The rumours on Proton take-over attempt has been rife on various blogs and local media by two giant corporation namely a collaboration between Yasmin Holdings and Naza Holdings led by Proton pioneer Dato Kisai Rahmat and the Al Bukhary group to buy majority Proton stakes from Khazanah.

The collaboration led by Kisai Rahmat to take over Proton was said to salvage the goodname of Proton from deteriorating further into industrial abyss. According to the source, the take-over attempt was necessary to replace the current incompetent management with the right people.

"PEDA vehemently object the move by Dato Kisai, Al Bukhary group or any other attempt to take-over Proton", said Armin Baniaz. The network is concern with any speculation that will affect and demoralise the dealers and vendors network that is currently slowly recovering from the recession and Proton sales downturn. The speculation will also affect Proton car sales when potential buyer "wait-and-see" for price revision or any new models expected from the new owners. Proton share price had also reacted to the speculation with an increase of more than 5.12% today.

Prior to the current management, Proton eco system suffered from alarming ex-stocks of more than 40,000 units that was not sellable due to the public's lost of confident in Proton, Proton car poor quality, lack of new model being introduced and the speculation of new buyer of Proton. Since then:

1. The 40,000 unsold stock was successfully reduced to the current manageable stock level despite the recession and automotive sales downturn.

2. Proton dealer's average sale has improved under the current management from less than 20 cars monthly sales average per dealer when Dato Syed Zainal took over Proton to currently more than 40 cars monthly sales average per dealer.

3. Proton market share from total industry volume had also improved from only 24% in 2006 and 2007, to 26% in 2008 and 30% YTD in 2009. Proton's forecast which is on track and a common goal shared by the dealer's network was to acquire 35% market share within 3 years.

4. Under the new management, 4 new model was successfully launched namely, Proton NEO (2006), Proton Persona (2007), Proton Saga (2008) and Proton Exora (2009). There were also various face-lift and upgraded version of existing models being launched to excite the market. Proton is also expected to launch the Perdana and Waja replacement in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

5. New Proton car quality had also improved from 4 highlighted concerns per car by customer (Concern-Per-Car or "CPC") during their car servicing to currently only 0.31 highlighted concerns. All concerns highlighted by customer via the dealers sales and service network are forwarded directly to Proton.

6. Proton does not need any new shareholders but a strategic alliance with a foreign partner that may provide better economies of scale in production cost and expand Proton market share abroad will be viable for Proton future planning. However, speculations, rumours or any attempt for take-over without any economic benefits to Proton network is damaging towards the network's recovery especially with the current rationalisation of the dealers network.

7. The government must stop further negotiation or any speculation for a take over and allow Proton, the dealers network and vendors to recover from the downturn via the continuation of current adopted policies.

8. It does not make sense to allow any group or giant corporation to take over Proton that is improving and on track with its KPI but it does make more sense for the current management to MBO Proton and stop further future speculation whilst steering Proton into becoming the number one national car maker.

http://arminbaniaz.com

Sent via BlackBerry from Maxis