I refer to the letter by Ahmad Albab regarding the rave reviews that the Perodua Kelisa has received in the show 'Top Gear'. As much as I would like to be happy for this achievement, there are a few pertinent issues that have to be pointed out.

First, it is a common fact that the export models of Malaysian cars are made to fit the quality control regime of the countries it is exported to. The same control do not exist for cars manufactured and sold locally.

Frankly speaking, Malaysians are getting the short end of the stick by getting a vehicle that is not made to the quality specifications of many countries. Many people risk their lives by driving inferior national cars.

Just look around, even a simple knock can cause your whole bumper to come apart if you are driving a Malaysian-made automobile. Common sense will tell anyone that it is unsafe to drive a national car.

Secondly, the Perodua Kelisa is not our national car. The design belongs to an older model of the Daihatsu Cuore. Perodua merely manufactures, re-brands and sells it under their umbrella. It is a Japanese design. The review merely reflects that Malaysian vehicle manufacturers are good car copiers, not innovators or creators.

If Proton and Perodua cannot even sell well in our neighbouring countries, what makes you think people from other regions will accept our products? After all, why buy Proton or Perodua, when you can be assured of better quality by buying the same model from Mitsubishi or Daihatsu?

Fundamentally, Malaysian car manufacturers have to realise that in order to be relevant in a globalised world they have to come up with their own innovative products coupled with distinct niches.

Volvo is known to be o­ne of the safest cars in the world, BMW the sleekest, and Kia as good value for money. Malaysian cars o­n the other hand are known for their poor quality. They are o­nly surviving because many Malaysians are forced to buy them as alternatives are too expensive.

Many models plied by our manufacturers lack the style and quality to compete with big guns like Toyota and Ford. The o­nly way up for Proton and Perodua is to create a niche in order to penetrate the international automobile market. This means frequent updating of models and stringent quality-control mechanisms. Sadly though, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Proton and Perodua can o­nly continue living in their plush, cushy self-contained world for so long. It won't be long before real competition comes in and smashes them. Perhaps when the day comes, Malaysians will rejoice because there will be no more excuse to protect the car industry. We will finally have access to safer, more stylish alternatives, at a fraction of the price it currently is.

I challenge Proton and Perodua to ask the government to liberalise the car industry, compete fairly and prove me wrong.