Dear Proton: The Curious Case of Geely

[@tapeify]

As pointed out from the comments, I would like to apologise for messing up the comparison between Proton X50 and Toyota Hilux. A more apt comparison should've been between Proton X50 and Toyota Corolla Cross since we're supposed to be comparing SUVs, not 4x4s. Since Proton currently doesn't manufacture 4x4s, it's futile to compare any of their cars to the Toyota Hilux. Although, many sources on the Internet tend to compare the Proton X70 or Proton X90 with the Toyota Hilux. The whole point of this comparison was to point out why the general public would buy a Proton model rather than a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, or Subaru model. Your average Toyota Corolla Cross could run you between RM 130,900 - 146,000. But price is only one of the many factors that go behind the decision of buying a new car.

[@popthatbeep]

One thing you got to understand about Malaysian automotive industry two biggest brands, Proton and Perodua, they are meant for technology transfers into the local market. And Malaysian government impose higher tax on import cars, so the local brands can have price advantage. Me personally, after driving the new Proton/Geely lines, it seems to promise better future, on par quality but cheaper price

[@TheMasterofComment]

Ya, 30 years on we're still waiting on that technology transfer

[@popthatbeep]

​@@TheMasterofComment how is your ideal "technology transfer" would looked like? Care to enlighten me here? I'm curious

[@ha-kyaa7815]

How do you only have 1k subs and hundreds of views but having such a great production quality for the subscriber count? Here take my sub, you've earned it bro.

[@WayarPutuih]

Comparing a 1.5ltr direct injection front wheel drive to a 2.8ltr 4x4 diesel. Smart context, bravo my boy

[@amirulizzat7395]

I think there is a correction on your discussions. The Gen-2 & the Wira did have their replacement models which are the Suprima s for the Gen-2 and the Persona for the wira. I was like whatever when Proton was partially sold off to Geely during 2017. That year was so hectic in Malaysia. But in hind sight its the right call to do so as Proton was in a dire situation financially. They were hemorrhaging funds left & right, only the Malaysian government has to bailled them out. It was unsustainable if keep doing so, Proton might have to be shut down completely but selling partially to Geely is a double edge sword for Malaysians. On one side it stabs their national pride seeing it being sold off but mind you left than half of the proton in under Geely while the rest is still under Malaysian owned DRB-Hicom while the other side is it give Proton a breather to put themself back together. I sees currently with their newer models are a rebadged Geely cars is only a transitional phase for Proton to gain back the much needed funds to hopefully be used on their future indigenous design cars to replace the aging Saga, Persona & Iriz with the recent news of a Proton design center in China. The X50 was a huge hit here in Malaysia with the car being extensively seen on the roads (base on my observations) and sales wised. The S70 might be the next hit for Proton if the indicators are correct (I just bought one by the way). I have a history with Proton since the 90s. It was my father that supported Proton until this day. He had the Saga Iswara, Tiara, Waja, Gen-2 and currently owned the Satria Neo R3. the S70 was my first Proton car. There was a time that i was put off with Proton after the Geely news but came to a realization of what needed to be done. I hope the the company will get back on their footing and wow us again in the future.

[@GF-mf7ml]

In Sarawak Kuching proton s70 are rarer than BYD dolphin lol. I guess people won't pay 70k for 3 cylinders. Now Geely in china don't make 3 cylinders anymore. But Malaysia just opened factory for 3 cylinders.

[@alloysiusvoon8592]

​@@GF-mf7ml I guess its easier to afford cheaper car like new Axia in kuching.

[@Iamwhatiam76]

Proton>Continental feel more on handling and ride feel. Perodua>Japanese feel more on fuel consumption and long term reliability.

[@dotasicgna]

X50 is not the same as hilux, it's a front wheel drive compact suv.

[@GF-mf7ml]

X50 compair to HRV same 1.5L turbo but, HRV have 4 cylinder(X50 3 cylinders). Or corolla cross, less power but still 4 cyl with bigger 1.8l engine, both (Honda Toyota) better fuel economy, more reliable and higher resale value. I'll buy Toyota Honda over proton, I don't care how much power Proton make unless it's cheap. Right now China new Geely 1.5L turbo have 4 cylinders not 3 which means the new factory in Malaysia make outdated 3 cylinders that no one is interested.

[@aaronbryan5095]

When you bring in Chinese car manufacturers, you can only expect generic cars trying to pretend to be something they are not. Turbocharged economy car engines that drink as much fuel as high end sports cars, DCTs in cars that will spend most of the time crawling in traffic (I wouldn't be surprised if the gearbox, especially the dual clutch components can't last the lifetime of the car even with proper maintenance), their geely based cars drive like boats and apparently even their geely based cars also have power window issues. Like the sportiest car Proton has right now is the Iriz, a really tall hatchback that's meant to be city car, they no longer have anything that's more low slung and sporty.

[@_sawbonz_]

I moved to Malaysia recently and got myself a Satria Neo R3. This car hsndles so much brtter then i would ever expect. Sad they focus entirely on SUVs

[@faizcococrunch]

I just subbed because of this is such a great video production

[@chokeeweebee]

What's ironic is that Indonesians are jealous that Malaysia has Proton, while begging and asking the indonesian government why they don't have a national car brand that makes real cars (rebadge korean/japanese cars) instead of building chinese cars in Indonesia(Esemka)... When Proton itself is building cars from Geely now. But hey Indonesians still proud that someone drove an avanza from Chiapas south Mexico to a furry animecon in pittsburgh

[@alistergoh9744]

great video but the use of ai images used in 0:38 threw me off

[@president6977]

X50 is 4x4? Same category as Hilux? This must be a parody. Top notch "research" hahaha

[@arian.495]

Nice!

[@ontombrookhaven]

Another BANGER video

[@nehasinha1007]

Gr8 research👍🙂🙂

[@Iriz110]

Why interesting rant this is more of a talk about passion and economic. Proton used to make car for enthusiasts but it isnt what people wanted thats why people bought perodua. Hyundai n line didnt make them popular, they made cheap car with decent quality and gadget that people wanted. Overall kinda of a terrible podcast/rant.

[@GF-mf7ml]

Proton make cars we don't want. 1. Persona, throw away that old crappy CVT use the saga 4 sp auto. 2. X50 & s70, 3 cylinders turbo, vibrate a lot and expensive to maintain. 3. X70 & x90 too expensive for a Proton. With that price may as well buy Toyota and get better fuel economy. Proton make very powerful cars no argue for that, but majority of Malaysian buy cars for traffic jam, DCT is poor choice for that and turbo everything very poor fuel efficient. Malaysian also don't want hybrid. If proton make NA 2.0/1.8L with 4/5 speed automatic reasonable price it may works.

[@GF-mf7ml]

In china Geely make New 4 cylinders turbo but Malaysia just open new factory for 3 cylinders which Geely don't make anymore.

[@Iriz110]

1.cant car too heavy, engine drink too much fuel 2. Yeah true but its about the same maintenance price of other car in the same bracket 3. All of them are fairly popular. People say they want a 1.8 and 2.0 but remember x70 1.8 awd ? They were not popular enough soo.. it got axed