First look: ute carries Proton's hopes

THIS humble looking utility is the first step in what Proton Cars Australia hopes will be a significant revival of its fortunes.

Called the Arena in Malaysia, where it was launched last week by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the Persona-based two-seater will officially go on sale here on February 7, 2003, when it is launched at the Brisbane motor show, although examples will be at dealerships in January for test drives.

Powered by a 1.5-litre 64kW/126Nm four-cylinder engine, the utility's Australian name has yet to be revealed, although it has been registered. Both Arena and Ute have been rejected.

While it's a modest start, the utility is the first sign of a new model flood from Malaysia's national car company that the local distributor hopes will launch it to 10,000 sales per annum in Australia by 2006. It will struggle to record 1000 sales this year (see below).

The utility will be sold in two specifications, the base model equipped with wind-up win- dows, power steering, air-conditioning, an audio system including a CD player and remote cen- tral locking.

The upper-spec will add a sports bodykit including side skirts and wheel arch mouldings, plus alloy wheels, foglights, power windows and mirrors and velour interior trim.

With pricing expected to be set between $16,000-$18,000 and a distinct lack of competi- tion for a vehicle that recalls the Subaru Brumby and Datsun 1200, Proton Cars Australia manag- ing director John Startari is hoping to sell 1000 per annum with the split 60:40 in the base model's favour.

"The base model will mainly sell to appren- tices and fleets, while the high line is more for lifestyle people in their late teens and early 20s - surfers, motorcycle and bicycle riders and the like," explained Mr Startari.

The car is offered in Malaysia with the choice of three different canopies - Freestyle, Sport Deck and Fast Back - which progressively close more of the rear tray in. They will be sold as dealer-fit accessories in Australia.

However, there is no sign of an automatic transmission or airbags on either model, and some of the mechanical specification is pretty basic including drum rear brakes and leaf spring rear suspension.

Front suspension is by MacPherson struts and braking by discs. Proton says Lotus - in which it has a controlling share - has helped develop the utility's ride and handling.

The utility marries the monocoque front of the Persona with a ladder frame rear-end, the two ends fused by a torque box.

The style-side tray can carry a maximum load of 570kg while the tailgate is able to withstand a load of 300kg. With the spare wheel mounted under the floor, the cargo bed measures up at 1636mm long, 1349mm wide and 415mm high.

Climbing off the deck

LAUNCHED in Malaysia at the same time as the utility was a 1.8-litre Renault-engined version of the small Waja sedan. It is being considered for sale in Australia alongside the slow-selling 1.6 beginning the second quarter of 2003.

Despite the 1.6's $27,990 entry price - a key reason for its lack of buyer acceptance here - Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari is pushing to get the 1.8 into Australia for under $30,000.

"It's all a matter of negotiating with Malaysia," explained Mr Startari. "Exchange rates have moved since Waja 1.6 was set.

"That means 1.6 pricing can be examined as well, but at this stage nothing has been confirmed because we have a few (to sell) in Australia already." Mr Startari said 2002's disappointing sales were due to Satria GTi and XLS joining Waja in not achieving sales expectations. By contrast, Persona has exceeded its (albeit very modest) target.

The glimmer of light the utility represents will grow much brighter with an all-new Persona due in December 2003 fitted with the Lotus-developed CAMPRO four-cylinder engine.

It could be launched at the Sydney motor show: "It's just a completely radical change for Proton in terms of styling, mechanical, handling and the whole thing," Mr Startari said.

In early 2004 will come a Satria replacement and a mini-car under Satria. In 2005 a large car is due, while a people mover and four-wheel drive based on the Waja/Persona platform and a sports car are also in the works.

It's this multitude of new product that has Mr Startari convinced that PCA can climb off the deck to record 5000 sales in 2004, 7000 in 2005 and 10,000 in 2006.