Proton Bhd adviser Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants the company to address every, even the most minute, criticism against its cars in a bid to improve the company's image.

NONE Speaking at the launch of the Proton's Centre for Logistics, Allocation, Storage and Services (Class) facility in Sijankang, Mahathir said although defect rates on Proton cars were low, they have contributed to the brand's negative perception.

"We must accept criticism, even if it is from just one out of 100,000 customers. If we act on their feedback, our image will be come better.

"In business, image is important. If our image is no good, then it will affect all our cars, even if it's just one complainant," he said.

Powered window conundrum

Mahathir, who was the country's fourth prime minister, said one of the recurring problems associated with Proton cars is defects with its powered windows.

NONE As an example of how a small issue can be exaggerated and damaging to a business, Mahathir recounted a comment by a reader on his blog.

"There is a writer on my blog, who said that if you want to know what's bad about of Proton cars, wait until you reach the toll gate.

"He said normal drivers want to wind down their windows to pay the toll, while those in Proton cars have to open their doors and step down to do the same," he said in jest.

Mahathir said he had never encountered such a scenario whenever he is driving, but said it was an example of how negative perceptions can fester.

He said there is no truth in claims by certain quarters that car prices are expensive in Malaysia because of the existence of Proton.

"This is not true. The government has been imposing high tax for imported cars even from before so that the country does not lose out substantially in the outflow of the ringgit to foreign countries," he said.

According to Mahathir, Malaysians who bought Proton cars

were doing a charity because when Proton becomes a success story and prospered, many Malaysians would get jobs and could support their families, some of whom have big families.

"We want to see Proton playing a role as a socio machinery, helping to provide for the well-being of all Malaysians," said Mahathir, who initiated the national car project when he was the prime minister.

'Proton will be No 1 again'

He also said he was confident that Proton would reclaim the top spot in the local automotive market.

"I am confident that Proton will become the number one car-seller in the country.

"Proton sales used to reach 80 percent, but with Perodua and imported cars from Korea and other places, sales of Proton have diminished slightly," Mahathir lamented.

NONE Earlier, Proton group managing director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed explained that the Class facility was a new initiative to provide pre-delivery inspection for the local and international markets.

The facility in Sijangkang will serve Proton's Shah Alam plant while the facility in Tanjong Malim will serve the plant there.

Both facilities will be used for staging, storage, pre-delivery inspection and pre-shipment inspection before delivery to sales outlets.

This is said to improve delivery times and provide a centralised supply chain centre.