Publish : 12 Dec 2021, 06:13 PMUpdate : 12 Dec 2021, 06:13 PM
For the last couple of years, there has been a sharp rise in demand for cars outside brands of Japanese origin.
Brands such as Havel, Kia, Hyundai and even Peugeot are gradually taking up significant market shares in Bangladesh and that too for a very good reason.
Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi are often more expensive while providing very little to no extra features compared to their Chinese, Malaysian or European counterparts.
One such example is the Malaysian brand Proton, which has had a great first half of the year in terms of sales. Apart from retail sales, Proton has made great strides in the b2b market, providing various models to corporations.
Within the first half of 2021, the automaker delivered about 150 Proton cars to different corporations.
Soon after the launching of the new Proton Saga 2021, the big corporate bodies ordered vehicles of this model and the Proton Persona after mutual agreements to purchase Proton cars on a regular basis from PHP Automobiles Limited.
One of the biggest conglomerates of the country, PHP Family has started assembling these Proton cars under the banner of PHP Automobiles a couple of years ago (2017) but has only started operating their own showrooms last year.
The Chittagong based company is now assembling five types of vehicles including sedan cars– Proton Saga, Proton Preve and mid-size passenger vehicles (MPV) Proton Exora, Proton X70, Proton Persona in their factory.
It is also producing motorcycles of different types with a production of 64 parts including chassis among the total 1,200 items.
Proton’s big deal started with Alpha Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd with the delivery of 50 cars earlier this year. Following that, Sonali Life Insurance Company came back with a new purchase order of another 32 Proton cars.
Corporations are gradually moving away from purchasing reconditioned vehicles as they often become difficult to maintain after a couple of years and finding original parts is always a challenge.
Proton car owners can purchase spare parts through PVS- Perfect Vehicle Solution, a dedicated app to buy Proton cars and their accessories.
One of the renowned insurance companies in Bangladesh- Popular Life Insurance company have also come to the conclusion to enlist Proton cars as their official car from now on as a fact of realization- used cars are not only hazardous also these are waste of money.
The Managing Director and CEO of the insurance company also expressed his satisfaction in the grand car handover ceremony and said it was a matter of great feeling to uphold the car manufactured in Bangladesh and that it is a responsibility of every citizen to promote such locally manufactured products.
According to industry insiders, the Proton Saga which is currently priced at around Tk15 lakh retail is doing great in terms of sales as many corporate clients have shown great interest in the new Saga 2021 for their official transport solution.
Also in the retail market, surprisingly the Saga is doing much better than the Proton’s mid-sized X-70.
The X-70 is currently priced between Tk40 to 42 lakh, which many think is a bit overpriced. Many opt for cheaper alternatives such as the Chinese Haval and MG, which provide the same features and even better built-quality.
PHP Automobiles however plans to launch the X-50, a smaller version of the X-70 this month. Stay tuned for that review.
For the first time in Bangladesh, PHP Automobiles Limited is providing a five-year or 150,000km warranty for the Proton cars. The owners of Proton cars will also enjoy five after-sales free services.
Considering recent big corporate sales, the company is eying to expand the service station across the country.
Currently, there are authorized service stations in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, Bogra.
The warranty and after-sale service are from time to time monitored by Proton Malaysia.
How Proton is taking a big chunk of the corporate market
For the last couple of years, there has been a sharp rise in demand for cars outside brands of Japanese origin.
Brands such as Havel, Kia, Hyundai and even Peugeot are gradually taking up significant market shares in Bangladesh and that too for a very good reason.
Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi are often more expensive while providing very little to no extra features compared to their Chinese, Malaysian or European counterparts.
One such example is the Malaysian brand Proton, which has had a great first half of the year in terms of sales. Apart from retail sales, Proton has made great strides in the b2b market, providing various models to corporations.
Within the first half of 2021, the automaker delivered about 150 Proton cars to different corporations.
Soon after the launching of the new Proton Saga 2021, the big corporate bodies ordered vehicles of this model and the Proton Persona after mutual agreements to purchase Proton cars on a regular basis from PHP Automobiles Limited.
One of the biggest conglomerates of the country, PHP Family has started assembling these Proton cars under the banner of PHP Automobiles a couple of years ago (2017) but has only started operating their own showrooms last year.
The Chittagong based company is now assembling five types of vehicles including sedan cars– Proton Saga, Proton Preve and mid-size passenger vehicles (MPV) Proton Exora, Proton X70, Proton Persona in their factory.
It is also producing motorcycles of different types with a production of 64 parts including chassis among the total 1,200 items.
Proton’s big deal started with Alpha Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd with the delivery of 50 cars earlier this year. Following that, Sonali Life Insurance Company came back with a new purchase order of another 32 Proton cars.
Corporations are gradually moving away from purchasing reconditioned vehicles as they often become difficult to maintain after a couple of years and finding original parts is always a challenge.
Proton car owners can purchase spare parts through PVS- Perfect Vehicle Solution, a dedicated app to buy Proton cars and their accessories.
One of the renowned insurance companies in Bangladesh- Popular Life Insurance company have also come to the conclusion to enlist Proton cars as their official car from now on as a fact of realization- used cars are not only hazardous also these are waste of money.
The Managing Director and CEO of the insurance company also expressed his satisfaction in the grand car handover ceremony and said it was a matter of great feeling to uphold the car manufactured in Bangladesh and that it is a responsibility of every citizen to promote such locally manufactured products.
According to industry insiders, the Proton Saga which is currently priced at around Tk15 lakh retail is doing great in terms of sales as many corporate clients have shown great interest in the new Saga 2021 for their official transport solution.
Also in the retail market, surprisingly the Saga is doing much better than the Proton’s mid-sized X-70.
The X-70 is currently priced between Tk40 to 42 lakh, which many think is a bit overpriced. Many opt for cheaper alternatives such as the Chinese Haval and MG, which provide the same features and even better built-quality.
PHP Automobiles however plans to launch the X-50, a smaller version of the X-70 this month. Stay tuned for that review.
For the first time in Bangladesh, PHP Automobiles Limited is providing a five-year or 150,000km warranty for the Proton cars. The owners of Proton cars will also enjoy five after-sales free services.
Considering recent big corporate sales, the company is eying to expand the service station across the country.
Currently, there are authorized service stations in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Jessore, Bogra.
The warranty and after-sale service are from time to time monitored by Proton Malaysia.