KOTA KINABALU: Roslan Abdullah, the Deputy CEO of Proton, unveiled the Proton S70 sedan at City Mall Kota Kinabalu today. This launch marks a significant milestone for Proton, as they expands their range of technologically advanced vehicles.
In a brief press conference he said for Sabah they are looking into the production of 2000 to 3000 units a month for Peninsular Malaysia and he believes that there might be 10 percent of those from Sabah.
According to him, although Sabah is well known for its usage of SUV Vehicles, he believed that there has been a rise in Sedan demand. On service centres for Proton, he said there were 15 service centres in Sabah, presently, that could cater to the needs of vehicle owners, although he didn’t discount the fact that they could be a need to upgrade their centres, without major investments.
During the launching, Roslan expressed his delight at the remarkable year Proton has had, filled with numerous milestones and achievements. He highlighted Proton’s leadership in the SUV segment with models like the Proton X50, X70, and X90, and emphasised their commitment to bringing technological advancements to the family sedan market.
According to him, the Proton S70 was initially launched in Peninsular Malaysia on November 28th and since they introduced this Segment-C sedan last month, they have received over 3,000 bookings. This positive reception reflected the trust and excitement customers had for Proton’s latest addition. Today, Proton extended this celebration to Sabah, acknowledging the unique needs and preferences of the vibrant region customers.
“Embodying the spirit of ‘Intelligence that Evolves,’ the Proton S70 showcases collective intelligence through cutting-edge technologies that adapt to the ever-changing needs of customers. This reflects Proton’s dedication to providing an innovative driving experience.”
He stated that that Proton’s responsibility extends beyond the bottom line. As a leading force in the local automotive industry for the past 40 years, Proton remains committed to fostering opportunities for homegrown businesses and talents within the comprehensive automotive ecosystem.
Proton’s success, including the Proton S70, was the result of a collaborative effort with their partner, Geely. Together, they have blended effort, knowledge, and skills to drive Proton forward, aspiring to become a global automotive brand of the future.
Roslan also delved into the Proton S70’s unique features, where he said the sedan was designed to cater to young adults, white-collar professionals, and small families. Its sleek design, cool tech, and top-notch features are expected to resonate with these target audiences.
In terms of engineering, Proton’s dedicated team spent 75,000 hours testing the S70, along with 260,000 hours in research and development. The rigorous testing resulted in the incorporation of 453 new parts that contribute to the car’s exceptional performance.
Connectivity is a key focus for the Proton S70, featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment head unit with the “Hi Proton” voice command function. This command center is integrated with various vehicle systems, allowing users to control drive mode selection, open the sunroof, and access the Proton Link App. The app provides remote control of the vehicle, sharing information on its location, geo-fencing, and displaying vehicle status. Additionally, the S70 offers 5 USB ports and 1 wireless charger for a hassle-free ride.
Safety is a paramount concern for Proton, and the S70 boasts an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with 13 safety features, earning it a 5-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP assessment. The car’s performance is optimised for Malaysian roads, with a 1.5L Turbo engine and DCT transmission, delivering 150PS of power and 226Nm of torque. The S70 also offers three drive modes for customized comfort and features like remote engine start.
The Proton S70’s key attributes can be summarised as STYLE – Seamless Connectivity, Total Safety, Youthful Design, Luxurious Comfort, and Exciting Drive. Proton aimed to take the automotive industry by storm with its latest sedan, offering a captivating driving experience for customers. -BNN