Proton shuffles prices, models
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 12th Apr 2010
Proton Cars Australia (PCA) told GoAuto in December that this month’s new 1.3-litre S16 G would set a new low watermark of less than $11,000 when it was released this month, before more expensive 1.6-litre GXR and LE S16 variants were also added this year.
The S16 G manual has now been launched at $11,990 – making Proton’s most affordable model the cheapest sedan on the market but $200 more expensive than Australia’s lowest-priced new car, Suzuki’s Alto hatch ($11,790).
The manufacturer’s list price of the existing 1.6-litre Proton S16 sedan increases to $12,990.
As we’ve reported, Proton has also confirmed it will introduce its first people-mover – the Exora – in November, followed in December by the Lotus Racing-tuned Satria Neo R3 hatch, as part of what it claims will be “the biggest new model onslaught Proton has had in its 15-year history in the Australian market”.
But it is the expanded and repositioned S16 range that PCA expects will continue the brand’s sales surge in 2010. Proton sales have increased 110 per cent so far this year, following a 221 per cent sales increase in December, when the S16 was launched.
Backed by a new, more functional website, Proton says the S16’s bargain-basement positioning has attracted a four-week waiting list for some variants.
“Our philosophy for Proton is to provide the best priced cars, with great handling, quality and features ensuring a compelling purchase proposition for our customers,” said PCA general manager sales and operations, Billy Falconer.
“Buyers are embracing S16 because of the $11,990 price, which includes a three-year warranty and 24 hours roadside assistance, and as a result we now have a four-week waiting list on the car.”The S16 is now available in three variants, including the S16 G manual ($11,990), S16 GX manual ($12,990 – was $11,990 driveaway) and the S16 GX automatic, which is priced at $14,990 and adds additional features over manual versions including 14-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, power mirrors and reversing sensors.
From July, the S16 sedan line-up will also include a flagship GXR variant, powered by a 1.6-litre engine and priced at $15,990 ($17,990 auto).
Effective from April 1 are new prices for the Persona small sedan and light-sized Satria Neo and small Gen.2 hatchbacks.
The G manual now opens the three-door Satria Neo hatch range at $14,990 (up $500), while the Satria Neo GX manual is priced at $15,990 (up $1000) and the Satria Neo GXR manual is now $1000 more affordable at $16,990. All Satria Neo variants continue to be available with an automatic transmission for an extra $2000.
Meantime, the Persona G manual now costs $15,990 (up $1000) and the Persona GX manual is priced at $17,490 (up $500), with an automatic gearbox adding $2000 to both pricetags.
Similarly, the entry-level Gen.2 five-door now costs $16,990 (up $1000), while the GX is $500 more expensive at $18,490 and the Gen.2 GXR is $1000 cheaper at $19,990. The GXR adds leather trim, front-side airbags and front foglights to the GX’s specification and all versions remain available in automatic guise for an extra $2000.
Finally, Proton advises that its former price leader, the pint-sized Savvy hatch, and Jumbuck utility are both now in run-out mode before they are discontinued.
The Savvy 1.2 five-door is now priced at $13,990 ($14,990 auto) plus dealer delivery and statutory charges – rather than $12,990 driveaway - while the Jumbuck GLi now costs $14,990 plus on-road costs rather than $13,990 driveaway, effectively ending Proton’s driveaway pricing strategy on some models,Also eventually due to be replaced by an all-new model, the Jumbuck GLSi is priced at $16,990 and adds 14-inch alloy wheels, power windows/mirrors and a bodykit.
Pricing is yet to be revealed for Proton’s first people-mover, the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol-powered Exora seven-seater and, as we’ve reported, Proton will also release 1.6-litre LE versions of the Persona (in August) and S16 (September).
| 2010 Proton pricing: | |
| S16 G | $11,990 |
| S16 GX | $12,990 |
| S16 GX (a) | $14,990 |
| S16 GXR | $15,990 (July) |
| S16 GXR (a) | $17,990 (July) |
| Savvy | $13,990 |
| Savvy (a) | $14,990 |
| Jumbuck GLi | $14,990 |
| Jumbuck GLSi | $16,990 |
| Satria Neo G | $14,990 |
| Satria Neo G (a) | $16,990 |
| Satria Neo GX | $15,990 |
| Satria Neo GX (a) | $17,990 |
| Satria Neo GXR | $16,990 |
| Satria Neo GXR (a) | $18,990 |
| Persona G | $15,990 |
| Persona G (a) | $17,990 |
| Persona GX | $17,490 |
| Persona GX (a) | $19,490 |
| Gen.2 G | $16,990 |
| Gen.2 G (a) | $18,990 |
| Gen.2 GX | $18,490 |
| Gen.2 GX (a) | $20,490 |
| Gen.2 GXR | $19,990 |
| Gen.2 GXR (a) | $21,990 |
| What’s coming from Proton: | |
| Persona LE | August |
| S16 LE | September |
| Exora GX | November |
| Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing | December |
