The Edge described the new Proton Saga (BLM) as the car that will disrupt automotive industry in Malaysia. A car that likely to change the equilibrium in the local entry-level car segment, which is currently dominated by second national car manufacturer Perodua, the ever famous Perodua MyVi. The model’s disruptive force comes from its price factor and product offering. This was the news a week before it’s launching and that time, only received around 6000 units pre booking.
Barely a week after official launching, Proton received a whopping 23,000 units booking of Proton Saga. This figure easily beat previous “fastest selling model” by Proton, the Persona. The Persona received 14,000 bookings after about a month of its launching (news date on Aug 15). Until today, I haven’t see any BLM on the road, even here at Proton City. But I’m pretty sure it will fill our road soon. Proton promise to deliver the booking as fast as possible by working double shift targeting to produce 5,500 units BLM a month. DSZ asked the customer to be patient and promised that they will deliver a quality car (thus they need time). Well, lets hope Proton keeps their promise. If not, I afraid it will disrupt people perception of Proton, which is on the rise right now.
Now that the new Proton Saga launched, and thankfully fulfill the expectation most of us. I went to the showroom hour after the official launched, I was in the meeting from 2:30pm until about 6.00pm. Luckily, I’ve my PDA with me, and guess what I’m doing at 5:30pm in the meeting? I was reading Paultan extensive review about the car hehe. After the meeting, we went to the closest Proton Edar which is walking distance from our office. There were already a lot of people there, and most of them, satisfy with the car. The salesman and woman, keep on telling about the improved campro and the quality of new Proton. The waiting time somehow a bit confusing, some salesman said 8months, some said can promised 2 months. Anyway, am not going to write any review about it. Most of us already read it and have seen it. Just wanted to test drive the car soon and maybe write about it. Hopefully to see it on the road soon, and hopefully to see a very nice turnout from aftermarket product and modification for BLM. Above is my failed attempt to lowered the car and painted it in yellow hehe.
Now the most exciting car in 2008 had launced, what car to expect next? According to Frost & Sullivan, below are the cars that going to be launched in Malaysia this year. Some of them already spotted on the road and some already have teaser website ready. The timeline are tentative only. What are the most exciting model to you? Perodua MyVi 2008 face lift?
Three versions so far, Angkasawan Malaysia, Dr Sheikh Muzaffar, David Arumugam of the Alleycats and Dr Kenny. From all three, for some reason, I feel the angkasawan version “cheap”. I don’t know why. Two more videos after the jump.
The community bring you yet another pictures of the soon to be launched replacement model of Proton Saga. I received an email last night from one kind reader about the much waited spyshot of the saga (thanks freeman), the interior picture of the BLM. Too bad there’s only one picture available, but to amend our disappointment, there’s another clearer pictures on the exterior of the BLM including its full side profile. For older info on BLM, you can view the first clear spy shot of blm - clay model, the actual proton blm pictures and the teaser video.
Now on the interior, first thing that catch my eye is the unpleasant looking round shape aircond vent, especially the on the center (compare with original savvy interior), but then again beauty is subjective and this is only one angle of view. It might look the other way around from another angle. There’s a place for passanger airbag but currently Proton only offer one airbag in the M line model. All in all, the interior is okay considering the price of the car. We can see that the power window control is on the armrest with fabric trim on the door. We cannot expect leather coated interior, wood trim, dual zone air cond and et cetera for RM30++ car aren’t we.
If people tell you don’t trust 100% what you hear on the net, now you can disagree. From emails and forum post on the net, we read about the new proton logo color scheme and now its confirmed. It’s all silver on black now. The tail lamp sort of nice, the head lamp too actually.
Behold, the latest Proton Saga BLM Pictures, in full, not disguised and and not clay model, not even on Paultan. From what I see here, damn cun. I especially like the lamps, both head and tail. Proton now have to find the right time to introduce this into the market, too soon will hurt a bit Persona sale (or may not), too long, some people might already loose interest. With the super cheap price, it’s hard to resist. Current dated saga selling only RM27K. No interior spyshot yet for the BLM. If you have any, please share with us will ya. Heard that the BLM interior very nice.
Pictures
VIDEO
BLM Interior
BLM Brochures
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