Indian roads could get the Proton ride
The Malaysian car company, Proton, is venturing into the Indian market. One of them is the diesel engine that is creating a rift, so as to its lower price, as its currently ruling the Indian market to a great deal. As, in the capital, petrol costs INR 10.78/L more than diesel.
The Malaysian car brand is planning to deal with a local distributor or a local partner. The Malaysian car company, Proton, is venturing into the Indian market, and chooses a right product, as reported by Autocar Professional. Proton is looking at having a local distributor or a local partner to setup flocking its cars, the report suggests. As per Abdul Rashid Bin Musa, the chief technical officer, in the group of engineers at Proton, that there still a few hurdles they need to cross, that is creating an immediate launch in India. One of them is the diesel engine that is creating a rift, so as to its lower price, as its currently ruling the Indian market to a great deal. As, in the capital, petrol costs INR 10.78/L more than diesel, and better fuel economy. However, Proton is majorly into petrol-powered models.
Mr. Rashid Bin Musa also talks about the small car excise duty benefit which is available to cars and SUVs measuring under 4 meters in length, and displacing less than 1,200 cc (petrol) and 1,500 cc (diesel). Thinking about this, the brand considers its latest product, the IRIZ, could be an optimal qualifier for the country.
The Iriz, is a 3,920 mm lengthy hatchback, would clash in the B-segment hatchback retail in India, which is poised of the Maruti Swift (best seller), the Hyundai Elite i20, the VW Polo and Fiat Punto Evo to name a few. Although the Iriz is designed to be an international product, Proton may face a hurdle with its engine options, as it offers 1.3- and 1.6-liter petrol engines. Both units do not qualify for small car excise duty benefits, also, a competitive pricing may be quite an extension.