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Proton Inspira overpriced compared to Lancer

I have owned a Waja 1.6 for nearly 10 years that is currently driven by my wife. The car has served us well. We have been looking to upgrade it to the new Waja (now launched as the Inspira).

I was expecting the Inspira to be in the region of RM70-80,000 and was a bit disappointed with its estimated price of between RM79-94,000.

Nevertheless, with the promise of it being similar to the Mitsubishi Lancer, we decided to stretch our budget and get the 2.0 at RM94,000. I have placed my booking and was anxiously waiting for our car.

Then I got to know that the 2.0 Lancer GT is selling in Langkawi at RM71,800 (OTR).

I called up a Proton dealer in Langkawi and was informed that the tentative OTR price for Inspira 2.0A metallic in Langkawi is RM84,850. This price listing can also be found in the internet.

This to me is very upsetting.

I cannot understand why the Lancer CBU (fully imported from Japan) can sell in Langkawi for RM72,000 whereas the locally assembled Inspira (with 26 percent local parts) is retailing at RM85,000 in Langkawi.

(Note: the Langkawi pricing gives us an idea as to what the base price of cars really are without taxes)

Because of the similarity between the Lancer and the Inspira, this is the first time we can actually make such a comparison.

Shouldn't Proton be selling the rebadged Lancer at a lower price or at least similar base price with the CBU Lancer (in Langkawi)?

If the base pricing of the Inspira 2.0 was RM72,000 in Langkawi (like the Lancer), then its pricing in the Peninsula should be in the region of RM81,000.(based on the existing RM9,000 differential between the Inspira in Langkawi and Peninsular Malaysia.)

I am sure that at RM72,000, the Lancer in tax-free Langkawi is still making a profit.

Therefore I see no reason why Proton can't sell the Inspira in Peninsular Malaysia at RM70,000 (1.8 model) - RM80,000 (2.0).

I find this RM13,000 base price differential wholly unacceptable.

If that is the cost of rebadging and localisation, Proton will never be able to compete without protectionism.

25 years later, Proton turns a full circle back to where it started that is rebadging Mitsubishis.

I don't really mind that, as at least we get better quality cars wherein the Inspira promises to be the best Proton yet.

What I cannot accept is that after 25 years, we are still required to prop up Proton by paying inflated prices for Proton itself.

Some may say that RM13,000 extra for the Inspira is to help pay Proton the development cost of the Inspira.

What development cost? It's a Lancer with different bumpers/seats, rims, tyres and suspension.

If that costs an extra RM13,000, Proton should have just CKDed (completely knocked down) the Lancer as Naza is doing with the Kia Forte.

What about the millions of Malaysians who have to continue to subsidise a company that after 25 years cannot stand on its own and in all probability may not be able to do so in another 25 years.

One man's dream which was forced onto the nation has now turned into a nation's nightmare.

Malaysia should cut its losses.

The only viable solution for Proton would be to do contract manufacturing for foreign manufacturers like DRB and Inokom.

Maybe then we will get an Inspira that costs less than a Lancer in Langkawi.

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