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SHAH ALAM, 17 December 2009 – PROTON clinched the number six position in car bookings made during the recent Thailand International Motor Expo 2009, which was held from 2 to 13 December in Bangkok, securing 1,388 bookings out of the total 25,220 recorded at the Expo.

Proton’s performance at the Expo had preceded more established names such as Toyota, Isuzu and Mitsubishi who benefitted from the sales of their pick-up models. This indicates the support and confidence of Thai customers towards the fairly new brand, which offers value-for-money and reliable vehicles.

Proton sales bookings in the Expo had as such beaten all Korean and continental brands in Thailand, positioning it as one of the strongest selling brands in the Expo within the ranks of the Japanese brands. The Proton Exora, which made its debut in Thailand during the motor show, was the best selling Proton model securing a total of 825 bookings, which accounts for almost 60% of Proton's 1,388 units sold during the Expo. The Proton Savvy was the next best-seller recording 19.5% of the total bookings over the event.

The progress reflects a positive performance in PROTON’s export and brand awareness initiatives. PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said, “This is only an initial indication that all our export initiatives are showing positive signs of success. We have been, and still are, working very hard in paving our way through our identified export markets, and we are glad that Thailand has accepted and recognized us.”

“As the automotive hub of the South East Asia, we are very encouraged by the growth and prospects Thailand has to offer. With it being an important MPV market in the region, we are pleased that the Exora has been well accepted,” says Dato’ Syed Zainal.

Thailand is Exora’s fourth export market after Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei and the fifth Proton model in the country ever since the Malaysian car manufacturer entered the Thai market in 2007. PROTON has since successfully placed itself among the top 10 brands in passenger car sales in the country.

Below are details of the bookings tally:

Out of the 1,388 bookings received by Proton in the motorshow, below are the breakdown of bookings received by variant:

About PROTON
PROTON, established in 1983, is Malaysia's largest manufacturer of automobiles. With operations in key market centers from UK and Western Europe to the Middle East, and across South-East Asia and Australasia, PROTON produces cars to suit a range of consumer demands and preferences. The offerings include versatile and reliable four-door family vehicles, two-door hatchbacks for the young-at-heart, luxurious and stylish executive sedans, spacious and affordable multi-purpose vehicle, as well as the world-renowned sports cars from Lotus.

PROTON’s inception as a key driver of national development has seen the brand accelerate its learning curve through technology transfer with strategic partnerships and technical collaborations. PROTON cars are now steadily on track to achieving the mission for the future, gearing up to achieve the promise of a marque which builds cars with passion and soul; cars which are a delight to drive and a pleasure to own.