KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 — There has been encouraging response to the first locally made multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Proton Exora, just one day after it was officially launched yesterday.
The factors of price, design and the technology of its engine drew the attention of consumers, especially those with families, to be among the first to own the latest model to be unveiled by the national car maker.
According to a Proton Holdings spokesman here today, the reservations for the Exora exceeded 3,500 till now compared with the more than 2,000 announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when launching the MPV.
Observations by Bernama at several car dealerships around the city found that bookings were visibly higher today.
“Maybe when they saw the Exora ‘live’ and tested it for themselves more people made bookings today,” said a car salesman who wanted to be known as Ali.
He said his company received more than 30 orders today and they were expected to go up.
A customer, Rozlin Mahat, 28, said the price of the Exora, which was competitive compared with imported models, would be able to convince him to own one.
“In my view the price of RM70,000 is fair and could convince me that it would be the better choice for those who have many family members,” said the information technology officer when met at a Proton showroom here.
The Exora powered by a CamPro CPS 1.6 litre engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission can be had in two variations – the Medium-Line at RM69,998 and the High-Line at RM75,998.
A government pensioner, Mohd Noh Shamsudin, 59, said the design of the Exora, which was sophisticated but which put importance on safety, caught his eye.
“Among the attractive points are the inflatable bags in front, the large boot size and its built as a luxury car.
“For me this is the car-of-the-year for 2009,” he said. – Bernama
