Having read Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff's exclusive in The Star (Jan 17, 2004), one can only draw the conclusion that Proton, over the next 20 years is not going to change its approach to business.

By Mahaleel's very own admission, and I quote: "The new Proton Saga, with its new interior, looks great and demand is so strong that we can't meet demand. The whole interior has changed...the outside cleaned up with a fresh new look", and "for example, the speedometer is a Lotus Elise meter. We should sell 6,0007,000 units per month; demand is strong", it is not difficult to predict the future of Proton.

The fact that it is still selling on the Saga platform defies logic. The 'new' Proton Saga is nothing but a cosmetic cover up for everything else that is inept.

Sure, he claims that they've come up with various platforms in engineering new products - Campro engines being one of it. But at this point in time, it is all talk. Nothing has been proven.

Going by their 20 year track record of producing sub-standard products, fact that they are still making the Proton Saga tells us not to expect anything much from a company that claimed to have invested most of its resources in R&D.

However, if R&D stood for 'Robbery' and 'Deceit/Defect', then it would true.

It has been 20 years since the national car project was established. Yet, in 20 years, Proton has not shown any real commitment nor concern for the issues at stake: quality and after-sales support.

Ask any Proton owner of their experience with the machines and tales of horror and disbelief are certain to surface! I am in no doubt of this as I own a Proton as well.

Within a week of receiving my sub-standard machine, the odometer went dead, as did the indicator lever. Not to mention the ever present vapour and water retention capabilities of the rear brake lights - on both sides!

Then there were the diagonal dots that appeared across the bonnet of the car, to which the service technician lamented that it was a factory defect with regards to the welding and lack of proper coating of the bonnet. The list goes on.

Quality issues aside, let's talk about the service rendered by the service center personnel. Walk into any EON service center and you will realise that the wonderful posters proclaiming their excellent customer service traits are nothing but for decoration. At least the counter service technicians greets you with a smile and lends a ear (or so I think) to your unending barrage of complaints.

Once all that is done, you leave believing that something will be done to rectify the necessary. Wrong! They may service it, tell you that everything is ok and hand over the keys with a smile but the fact is, you'll be back within the next week, if not earlier with the same tale to tell!

And let us not forget the classic excuse: " Alah, Proton..biasalah... " leaving you in a huff and not much else to go with.

Why did I choose Proton? I would not have, but let's face it, with all the import tax being levied on the next available option, I didn't quite have a choice.

And just when you thought prices would come down in preparation for the Asean Free Trade Agreement, our government gives us the shorter end of the stick! No wonder Proton cars are still in demand. Try bringing the prices of other models down and the 6,000 units that Mahaleel claims would probably be 90 percent less.

Coming back to Mahaleel's 'exciting times ahead for Proton' assertion, please spare us the blushes, get your head out of the clouds and come back to earth!

Proton is not going anywhere, at least not when form, rather than substance, is the order of the day.