Proton Reports Another Successful Year In The UK

Successful introduction of new GEN-2 range with new variants to be added in 2005

• Performance boosted by strong sales of Jumbuck range – up 80%
• Network strengthened by the appointment of 15 new dealers

2004 has been another good year for Proton with sales increasing by almost 8% from 2003. Simon Park, General Manager of Sales and Marketing, is pleased to have achieved such a positive result in a difficult year, which saw the marque’s best-selling model - the Wira - discontinued in the UK. “As a relatively small vehicle manufacturer fighting for a position in a very competitive and crowded marketplace, Proton’s sales growth will be achieved through the introduction of innovative new models. We believe that the GEN-2 will build on the success of Wira and become even more of a success story.”

Proton’s half-tonne pick-up, the Jumbuck, has helped to boost sales in 2004, with sales of the utility vehicle increasing from 340 to 614 units in the year. Simon Park commented: “Jumbuck has performed exceptionally well in its market, achieving on average 30% market share.”

The introduction of the new GEN-2 in September has also increased confidence for the new year. The first of the new breed of Proton cars benefiting from a close collaboration between Group Lotus Plc, which Proton wholly owns, and the Proton engineers has resulted in the GEN-2 which is an exciting new proposition for Proton Cars (UK) Ltd. With two new models due for launch in 2005, both clearly demonstrating in looks and performance the influence of the Lotus Design Studio and Lotus Engineering, 2005 looks set to be an exciting year and one that will deliver a significant increase in sales volume.

To read our in depth road test of the Proton Jumbuck [ click here ]