Proton begins exporting cars to Chile. Bangladesh CKD operation to begin in June

50 units of Proton Preve left hand drive (LHD) are currently on their way to San Antonio, Chile, to mark the first batch of 1,000 cars which Proton will be selling in Chile this year. 

Set to be sold by Andes Motor, a subsidiary of the Kaufmann Group which will be the Proton distributor in Chile, the Preve will soon be followed by the Exora and also the Saga that are due to make their Chilean debut in May and November respectively.

The Proton models which will be sold in Chile include:

• Preve 1.6 Standard MT
• Preve 1.6 Executive MT
• Preve 1.6 Premium CVT
• Exora 1.6 Standard CVT
• Exora 1.6 Premium CVT
• Saga FLX 1.6 Standard MT
• Saga FLX 1.6 Premium MT

Having sold around 3,000 cars in Chile from 1994 to 1998, this is the second time Proton is entering the country’s market. According to Proton, the plan to export to Chile began in 2012 when the Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed. Thanks to the agreement, Proton enjoys a 6 per cent exemption of import duty in the South American country.

According to Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, the CEO of Proton, the LHD Preve will be sold at a price of 17,800USD (RM74,500) in Chile, and will be marketed in prominent cities such as Santiago, Concepcion Vina La Serena, Antofagasta, as well as Valdivia Temuco Osorno. 

That being said, Chile is now Proton’s fifth export market after Australia, Indonesia, Egypt, and Thailand. Having exported 5,000 vehicles last year, the national car maker aims to export between 6,000 and 7,000 units this year.

After the Preve, Exora, and the Saga, the next model that is said to be in the pipeline to be exported is none other than the Iriz. Datuk Abdul Harith mentioned that the LHD version of the car is still in development stages, and that it is most likely destined to markets within the Asia Pacific region.

On another note, Proton also revealed that its CKD production in Bangladesh will be commencing this June, and that the Preve will be the first Proton to be assembled there. Having signed an agreement with PHP Group Bangladesh, Proton said that a total of 1,000 units comprising the Preve, Exora, as well as the Saga, will be assembled in the country this year.  

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