Rolls Royce prepping MINI based Roller for Shanghai Auto Show

Aston Martin are preparing their Cygnet for a Chinese launch later this year, rumor has it that the Cygnet will be priced from 200,000rmb to 300,000rmb when launched in China making it a highly affordable Aston Martin indeed, but Rolls Royce have come back with their own mini car based on BMW’s MINI. On the outside it appears that the MINI has remained a MINI but the inside is most certainly seen the work of Rolls Royce’s interior decorators.

The Rolls-Bini will be having its premier at the Shanghai Auto Show next week, its seems that Rolls-Royce are aiming to leverage the ‘Royce name in Asia on smaller less expensive models in a bid to boost sales in rapidly expanding economies.-chinacartimes.com

Garmin Forerunner GPS watch gets a touchscreen (video)

Garmin has just announced the launch of a new GPS watch – the Forerunner 610, and it sports a touchscreen. Since it’s meant to be taken outdoors for serious running it won’t be just any touchscreen but a waterproof one. It is also responsive enough so that it can be operated with running gloves on. With features such as a pace, distance and time meter, a heart rate monitor, and the ability to race with friends who aren’t even in the same country, the Forerunner 610 is designed for the serious runner. It even packs a vibration motor to keep you updated about your heart rate, pace and distance – especially useful when you’re running in a noisy area or you have your own music playing through earphones. No word about when we’ll see it in stores or how much it costs but there’s a video demo after the break.-ubergizmo.com

Richard Branson jadi pramugari AirAsia 1 Mei

Bayangkan seorang lelaki yang terkenal dalam dunia korporat antarabangsa menjadi pramugari ekoran kalah dalam pertaruhan.

Lebih menarik lagi, lelaki itu, pemilik syarikat penerbangan Virgin, Richard Branson akan menjadi pramugari untuk syarikat penerbangan tambang murah tempatan, AirAsia selama lebih kurang 13 jam.

Branson bersetuju memakai pakaian seragam pramugari, skirt dan blazer merah melayani kerenah penumpang dalam penerbangan khas dari Lapangan Terbang Stansted di London ke Terminal Penerbangan Tambang Murah di Sepang pada 1 Mei depan.

Beliau terpaksa berbuat demikian ekoran kekalahannya dalam pertaruhan dengan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AirAsia Bhd., Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes dalam perlumbaan Formula 1 (F1) musim lalu.

Dalam pertaruhan tersebut, beliau yang juga pemilik pasukan Virgin dan Fernandes selaku Prinsipal Team Lotus bersedia untuk menjadi pramugari jika pasukan mereka tewas dalam perlumbaan tersebut.

Selepas perlumbaan F1 2010 menutup tirai penghujung tahun lalu, Team Lotus berjaya mengatasi pasukan Virgin.

Orang ramai yang berminat untuk merasai pengalaman istimewa dilayan oleh tokoh penerbangan terkenal tersebut boleh membuat tempahan tiket sekarang.

Penerbangan tersebut dijadualkan berlepas pada pukul petang 4 petang dari lapangan terbang di London itu dan dijangka tiba di Kuala Lumpur pada pukul 12 tengahari keesokan hari.

Kesemua wang yang diraih hasil penjualan tiket penerbangan khas tersebut akan digunakan untuk tujuan amal.-utusan.com.my

Audi prepares topless R8 GT

With production of the high-performance R8 GT getting underway, Audi is preparing a convertible version of the car.

The German automaker released sketches of the R8 GT Spyder on Monday. A full debut is likely at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The R8 GT Spyder will likely use the same all-wheel-drive powertrain as its coupe counterpart--a 5.2-liter V10 rated at 560 hp.

Production of the R8 GT is being limited to 333 copies and Audi will likely do the same with the Spyder. The coupe has a sticker price of $198,050 in the United States.-autoweek.com

Chevy Volt will text you when it needs a recharge

"Hello Gillian, this is your car calling. You forgot to plug me in."

It's General Motors' answer for those of us who can't even remember to plug in our cellphones: An electric car that texts or emails a gentle reminder if you walk away and forget to plug it in.

On display at the Vancouver Auto Show this week, the Chevy Volt — an electric/gas hybrid that can run up to 80 km on its electric charge before the gas engine kicks in — was the subject of a demo of GM's mobile app Onstar MyLink.

(For the record, the car didn't actually write to me; that would have cost $41,000 US before a $7,500 rebate and then only if I bought the car in the U.S. since the Volt doesn't get to Canada until the third quarter of this year.)

While the application, which works on Apple's iPhone and iPads, as well as Android smartphones and tablet computers, keeps track of the electric components of the Volt, it also works on GM's more conventional cars.

Sitting at the breakfast table reading your newspaper on your iPad, you can flick over to your car's app to get it warmed up.

You can check your gas, check battery levels and other diagnostic information and my personal favourite — check that you locked the doors when you left the car. No more standing in line wondering.

Just pull out your smartphone or tablet and it will tell you. If you've forgotten, tap the touch screen and your doors are locked by remote control.

The MyLink app launched in the United States last fall and it's now available in Canada on many 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles. The app is free.

Pricing for the Volt, according to Matt Crossley, GM Canada's director of Canadian programs, will be released sometime this summer, just before the car goes on sale.

While the Volt typically could take about a dollar's worth of electricity to charge overnight, you could buy a lot of gas for the roughly $20,000 difference between a regular gas compact car and its $41,000 US electric counterpart.

"Is it worth it?' I asked Crossley.

Sitting in the car with an instrument screen that's a cross between a power plant and an entertainment centre, he said, "the whole idea behind the Volt is it's an extended-range electric vehicle" that will run up to 80 kilometres on electricity only.

"So unlike a hybrid where the gas engine is going to kick in, this won't happen until the battery is depleted.

"If you're in Vancouver you could typically do most of your daily driving electric only, then let's say you want to go to Whistler every couple of weekends," said Crossley.

"No problem you'll do the first 65 kilometres on electricity, then the gas engine will kick in to provide enough electricity to keep you going and you'll be up and back."-ottawacitizen.com

EU plan to phase out 'conventionally fueled' cars by 2050

The European Commission has released a white paper detailing ambitious plans to transform Europe's transport infrastructure by 2050. The roadmap for a Single European Transport Area includes forty initiatives for road, rail and air travel that aim to increase mobility, reduce reliance on oil imports, cut emissions by 60% and combat congestion by halving the use of "conventionally fueled" cars in urban transport by 2030 with a view to phasing them out in cities by 2050.

The overall goal is to create a unified transport system capable of meeting the needs of the 500 million EU citizens.

"The widely held belief that you need to cut mobility to fight climate change is simply not true. Curbing mobility is not an option; neither is business as usual. We can break the transport system's dependence on oil without sacrificing its efficiency and compromising mobility. It can be win-win," said EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas.

Despite improvements following a 2001 White Paper on Transport [PDF], the Commission says Europe's transport system remains unsustainable. Without change, oil dependence of transport will remain around 90%, CO2 emissions from transport will remain one third higher than their 1990 level and congestion costs will increase by about 50% by 2050.

The challenge is to significantly reduce the transport system's dependence on oil without compromising efficiency or mobility. The major goals set out in the "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area" are:

• 40% use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation by 2050 with complete modernization of Europe's air traffic control system achieved by 2020 to deliver the "Single European Sky". As an example, currently in the EU 27 different air traffic management systems add an average 49 km to each journey
• All core network airports should be connected to the rail network by 2050
• 40% use of sustainable low-carbon fuels in aviation. (Over 750 million people – one third of the world market – used EU airports in 2009.)

• The gradual phasing out of conventionally-fueled cars in cities with a view to significantly reduce oil dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and local air and noise pollution
• Use of smaller, lighter and more specialized road passenger vehicles with focus on fleets of city buses, taxis and delivery vans that can be adapted for new alternative propulsion and fuels
• Move towards zero fatalities in road transport, with an interim target of halving all road casualties by 2020
• Development of eco-driving requirements in future revisions of the driving license directives with reference to fuel-saving techniques
• Progressively allowing for European electronic tolling systems through a single service provider for the whole of Europe, and providing an EU framework for charging schemes to alleviate congestion in cities. For example, current international hauliers need 13 permits, tags and tolling contracts to drive on all European tolled roads

• Movement of more than 50% of road freight traveling more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) to rail or boat (30% by 2030)
• A 50% shift of medium distance intercity passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport
• Tripling the length of the current high-speed rail network by 2030 facilitated by an ambitious package of legislative initiatives that will shake up the regulatory framework for rail
• Creating a fully functioning multi-modal transport system removing bottlenecks and barriers in other parts of the network. For instance the Thalys high-speed train through France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands must currently adapt to seven different signaling systems

• At least 40% cut in EU CO2 emissions from maritime transport (if feasible 50%) by 2050. Europe (EU/EEA) has the world's largest shipping fleet, directly employing some 300 000 seafarers on board merchant vessels and another three million in related jobs
• All core seaports should be sufficiently connected to the rail freight and, where possible, an inland waterway system

• Use of business-based greenhouse gas (GHG) certification schemes and common EU standards in order to estimate the carbon footprint of each passenger and freight journey
• An overall 60% cut in transport emissions by 2050
• Switching to cleaner public transport in cities, as well as the option of walking and cycling
• A higher share of travel by public transport with minimum service obligations. Public transport quality and connections must be improved if consumer behavior is to change: currently 71% of car users feel that public transport is less convenient than the car while 72% say they don't use public transport because of a lack of connections, 54% mention lack of reliability
• Promotion of available transport alternatives for individuals (drive less, walk and cycle, car sharing, park & drive, intelligent ticketing etc.) and facilitating them as an integral part of urban mobility and infrastructure design. In the UK, 60% of cars have only one occupant. One bus can carry the same number of people as 30 cars while only occupying the road space of three cars
• Use of electric, hydrogen and hybrid technologies for long distance and inefficient "last-mile" freight transport, reducing air and noise emissions, allowing a greater portion of freight transport within the urban areas to take place at night, and easing road congestion during peak hours
• Longer-distance travel, and intercontinental freight, air and sea travel should benefit from new engines, fuels and traffic management systems increasing efficiency and reducing emissions
• Multi-modal travel planning and integrated ticketing across Europe
• Creating a fair financial environment applying the "polluter pays" and "user pays" principle

The paper has been met with both support and criticism:

Adrian Tink, motoring strategist at RAC thinks the proposal is commendable and inevitable. "Anyone who's paying over £6 a gallon at the petrol pump will agree with the need to shift to alternative fuels for transport. The problem, at a time of government cuts and tough economic times for many people, is seeing where the massive investment to make this vision a reality is going to come from. We're scratching the surface with many of the alternatives at the moment, and until the technology becomes more mature and the price more affordable, it's difficult for the ordinary motorist to decide upon which bandwagon to jump."

AA president Edmund King agrees that the varied approaches to cutting CO2 are confusing motorists, and ultimately agrees that the move is inevitable. "The reality is that, by 2050, fossil fuel will be so expensive that a new approach to personal mobility will be inevitable."

The European Twowheel Retailers' Association welcomed the plans but were felt that the part two-wheelers could play in helping cut emissions had been underplayed. "Given that a quarter of CO2 emissions from transport occurs in cities, it is unfortunate that the European Commission doesn't give a bigger role to existing low-carbon options such as traditional and electric bicycles and electric scooters, mopeds and motorcycles." said ETRA secretary general Annick Roetynck.

"Weaning our transport system off its oil addiction is essential, said Friends of the Earth's transport campaigner, Richard Dyer. "Phasing out cars that run on fossil fuels from cities is a good way to kick-start action. But despite these headline-grabbing proposals, the emission reduction targets in the plan lack ambition. Commercial biofuels are not the answer. There's growing concern that commercial fuel crops imported into Europe are destroying forests, driving people off their land and generating more emissions than they save. Instead we need better public transport, smarter cars that use less fuel and more walking and cycling for shorter journeys. And our planning systems must be overhauled to reduce the distances people need to travel for work or essential services."-gizmag.com

Spyshots of Kyocera Katsura, the gaming tablet

Nokia may have ditched Android for Microsoft, but Sony has no so such plans ahead. On the contrary, Sony has a Honeycomb tablet in the pipeline. CEO Howard Stringer hinted that the Sony tablet will be a gamers’ delight and PlayStation certified like the Xperia Play. It will boast Sony's new Qriocity music and movie service. But a little birdie told us that it’s not the only gaming tablet in the techarena as Katsura from Kyocera is also targeting gamer.

The sensational Xperia Play proved that gadget lovers are craving gaming smartphones. Now Kyocera from Japan is exploring the gaming market with a tablet PC. The tablet is yet to be confirmed by the Japanese company, but plenty of pics leaked on the web are backing up reports of its existence.

It is rumored to be a wide screen Android tablet, but the exact screen size and the Android version is not known. It has a rubbery matte finish in plastic back with a Kyocera logo.-shanzai.com

Peugeot 508 sedan revealed ahead of Shanghai Auto Show

Getting your message out about your new model at an Auto Show is fairly difficult, the problem is that there are likely to be dozens of other brands throwing out their messages at the same time, the next best thing is to reveal your car ahead of time and hopefully gain a few headlines. This is what Peugeot have chosen to do with the new 508, the 508 is Peugeot’s first entry into the mid-size sedan segment since their disastrous pairing with Guangzhou Auto which ended in the early part of the 2000′s.

Engines for the 508 are expected to be a 2.0L and a 2.3L, the range topping 3.0L V6 is expected to be a Citroen C5 only offering, pricing for the 508 has not yet been announced but it could well be as low as 160,000rmb to fight with the FordMondeo that was recently launched in a similar pricing area.-chinacartimes.com

BlackBerry Torch 2 and BlackBerry Orlando captured in new spy shots

Another day, another unannounced BlackBerry smart phone emerging blinking into the spotlight. This time it's the BlackBerry Torch 2, which is due to be unveiled at RIM's BlackBerry World conference early next month. There's also a first shot of the enigmatic BlackBerry Orlando, which isn't expected to go public until later in the year.

Boy Genius Report has the scoop on the Torch 2, with a series of hands-on photos, following its recent pieces on the BlackBerry Touch and BlackBerry Bold Touch. We're wondering if RIM has a stealth marketing department deliberately leaking these devices, so regular has been the flow of stories.

Anyway, BGR reports that the Torch 2 is "identical to the original Torch with the same physical dimensions", but says internally, it's a whole different kettle of, er, silicon.

The phone will pack a 640x480-pixel display, and have a 1.2GHz processor inside, while running BlackBerry OS 6.1. Its release date is pegged as July in the US, but if the original Torch is any guide, that means the new handset will be in the UK soon afterwards.

We're also intrigued by a separate leak, with N4BB publishing a shot of what it says is a device codenamed BlackBerry Orlando. "Think of it as a mini-Bold Touch," advises the site, while pointing out that Orlando has not been featured on previous leaked roadmaps of RIM's upcoming smart phones.

It doesn't expect Orlando to be one of the phones shown off at BlackBerry World, however. It looks to be rocking a touchscreen and physical keyboard -- something that looks set to become the rule rather than the exception for RIM in the months ahead.

So, to summarise, beyond the Torch 2 and Orlando, we've heard about the BlackBerry Touch and the BlackBerry Bold Touch, and also raised our eyebrows at suggestions that RIM's BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app will be coming out for Android and iPhone in the months ahead. BlackBerry World should give firm details on all of the above.-crave.cnet.co.uk

Subaru XV Concept: 2011 Shanghai Auto Show Preview

Late last week Subarurevealed a teaser image of its all new 2012 Impreza Sedan, which is scheduled to make its world debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show next week, but the automaker isn’t forgetting that other major automotive event also taking place in just a few days.

Next week will also play host to the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and for the Chinese event Subaru will be bringing this new XV concept car.

Described as a crossover concept, the XV is a preview of the 2012 Subaru Impreza XV, a high-riding version of the Impreza Hatchback already sold in some parts of the globe in the current generation. The teaser image shows a vehicle with flared wheel arches and roof racks, suggesting enhanced performance and load carrying practicality.

While a new XV variant of the Impreza isn’t confirmed for sale in the U.S., though we wouldn’t be surprised if it does come, the new concept car also gives us a look at the basic design of the new 2012 Subaru Impreza Hatchback.-motorauthority.com

Mitsubishi to Show Three Concepts in Shanghai

Having developed the Mitsubishi Global Small Concept as a global player on the ever-expanding small car segment, Mitsubishi is taking the model at its second largest auto show presence, after the official presentation at the Geneva Auto Show in March.


The car which will probably spawn a new small model from the Japanese auto maker will be at the center of the display the company has prepared for the Shanghai Auto Show. With it on the floor of the event will be the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV, the Pajero Sport and all the 11 models that make up the lineup of cars sold in China by the Japanese.

The details on the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV and the Pajero Sport have not been released, apart from the fact that the former comes in the form of an electric crossover, while the later is yet another interpretation of Mitsubishi's successful SUV.

Back to the Global Small Concept, the model has been presented in March as a vehicle meant to accommodate a three-cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine, small in displacement, powerful enough not to let you stranded and frugal enough to put a big smile on your face after filling it up.

For now, the Small Concept is only a show car, one that will probably trek the world's auto show in search for positive feedback. Pretty surely, the model will go into production in the years to come, as the appetite the consumers display for small models is growing at a rapid pace. -autoevolution.com

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 11th April 2011

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 11th April 2011 is now available for downloading. 

Click HERE to download.

2013 Chevy Malibu Interior; First Look Via Facebook

Chevrolet has just revealed a single image of what the interior of the new 2012 Malibu will look like, releasing a single photo on its Facebook page. Showing a new in-dash screen similar to the one found in the new Buick Regal, it’s clear Chevy is taking a big step forward with the car when it comes to in-car technology and connectivity.

Last week Chevy teased us with some images and video of the exterior of the car, which looks to sport some Camaro design cues. In addition, GM confirmed that the new 2013 Malibu will be offered exclusively with 4-cylinder engines – likely a standard 180-hp 2.4-liter and an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter.

Chevy will officially reveal its new global Malibu on April 18th at the Shanghai Auto Show (and on it’s Facebook page), with the car then making an appearance at the New York Auto Show on the 20th.-autoguide.com

Exora turbo menjadi pilihan pembeli Proton Exora

MODEL EXORA YANG BERBALOI UNTUK DIBELI

Setelah setahun saya membuat survey di blog ini, didapati majoriti pembeli Exora tertunggu-tunggu enjin jenis turbo untuk lebih kuasa pickup. Berdasarkan graf di atas, 38% mengatakan model exora turbo adalah yang paling berbaloi untuk dibeli manakala hanya 14% sahaja yang menyukai model B-Line iaitu gear jenis manual.

BERAPA BINTANG YANG ANDA BERI UNTUK PUSAT SERVIS PROTON 

Sebanyak 33% yang memberi markah 3 bintang (markah penuh 5 bintang) kepada Pusat Servis Proton. Walaupun ini boleh dianggap agak OK bagaimanapun Proton perlu memberi lebih tumpuan kepada pusat servisnya kerana hanya 16% sahaja yang memberi 5 bintang manakala terdapat 27% yang hanya memberi 1 bintang sahaja. Apabila adanya 27%, ini menunjukkan kualiti Pusat Servis Proton adalah sangat buruk.

ADAKAH ANDA BERPUAS HATI DENGAN PUSAT SERVIS PROTON

Jika dilihat pada graf di atas, saya pasti anda semua dapat mengagak apa yang saya fikirkan. Walaupun terdapat 10% yang sangat puas hati tetapi terdapat 16% mengatakan Pusat Servis Proton menyakitkan hati dan ini bukan sedikit kerana satu undian pun sudah boleh dianggap sebagai teruk. Proton perlu mempertingkatkan kualiti pusat servisnya.

Berikut adalah beberapa survey yang telah diadakan.

HARGA YANG SESUAI UNTUK EXORA TURBO

PERLUKAH MODEL BARU EXORA DISERTAKAN SKIRTING

WARNA BARU YANG SESUAI UNTUK EXORA

Audi Shows Teaser Sketches of Q3 Crossover Ahead of Shanghai Debut

These new teaser sketches give us our clearest look yet at the upcoming Audi Q3 crossover ahead of its official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show. The Q3 will launch this fall – although not in the U.S. — and should take on the likes of the upcoming BMW X1 crossover.

The Q3 is expected to be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, meaning size-wise it is one step down from the Audi Q5. From the sketches; however, it’s clear the Audi goes for a sportier, more coupe-like appearance, with a sloping roofline and the brand’s signature character strakes along each side. The nose looks almost identical to the larger Q5 and Q7, with a bold grille opening and large foglight surrounds. The rear features plenty of Audi design cues, too, with triangular taillight housings, chromed roof rails, and a subtle hatch spoiler.

The interior sketches also promise a thoroughly modern cockpit that matches current Audi design trends. Visible are chrome dashboard accents, the traditional three-spoke steering wheel, and a fairly typical audio- and climate-control layout.

Given that there are few over-the-top show-car flourishes shown on these sketches, they probably offer an accurate preview of the production Q3’s design. As for what will be under the Q3’s hood, we can reasonably expect the same VW/Audi 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four as powers the Tiguan, with front- or Quattro all-wheel drive. Though originally destined for the European market only, Audi is now considering selling the Q3 here in the U.S., although no plans have been confirmed. It goes into production in Spain this summer and should launch in Europe this fall. Launching the Q3 in the U.S. could take up to a year after that.-rumors.automobilemag.com

2012 Hyundai Veloster Turbo To Pack 208 Horsepower

Since we first started capturing spy shots of the Hyundai Veloster in action, we've reported a turbocharged version was in the works, and that fact was confirmed at the Detroit Auto Show. Now, some of the first specs on the turbo Veloster have slipped out, and they're promising.

The hot-hatch potential of the Veloster is now in the Volksagen GTI/MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works category, should the stats prove accurate: 208 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque are on tap from the 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo mill, according to the report.
THat's a 70-horsepower upgrade from the standard 138-horsepower engine, and 72 pound-feet more torque--enough to make the likely price differential more than justifiable for those that like some kick with their funk. At a curb weight around 2,600 pounds, the Veloster is truly on par with the likes of the JCW MINI, and considerably lighter than the similarly-powerful GTI. If the suspension is tuned properly, the Veloster could offer some serious fun for a relative bargain.

But wait, you say. Hyundai can't be fairly compared to the likes of VW and MINI, can it? In our estimation, yes, it can. Hyundai's advances in build quality, and interior materials and design in the past few years have been truly impressive; if the turbo Veloster adds to the standard car's polish, it will be a new contender in the segment--and more fun, efficient, quick hatches to choose from is never a bad thing in our book.-motorauthority.com

Free Malaysia & Singapore Galactio GPS Map

Click HERE to download.

Proton closing in on Perodua

Proton is edging closer to regaining its top spot in the car market, five years after losing that position to Perodua.

Sales figures show that the gap in vehicle sales between national carmakers Proton Holdings Bhd and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is narrowing rapidly.

In the first quarter of this year, Proton recorded sales of 44,870 units while according to analysts, it is likely that Perodua sold about 45,000 vehicles.

Perodua is expected to release its confirmed 2011 first quarter sales figures on Friday.

At Proton’s factory in Shah Alam.

For the January-February period this year, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) reports showed that Proton and Perodua recorded vehicle sales of 27,365 and 27,713 units respectively.

Proton's top-selling car is the current-generation Saga, followed by thePersona, Exora and Inspira.

The Myvi remained as Perodua's best-selling car, followed by the Vivaand Alza. For the past five years, Perodua has been the top-selling national carmaker.

Last year, the company enjoyed an all-time record sales of 188,641 units while Proton sold a total of 157,274 vehicles.

Proton's loss of its crown as the top-selling national carmaker can be traced back to 2006, when Perodua outpaced Proton significantly by selling 152,733 cars.

The same year saw Proton sales dipping to 115,538 units (compared with 166,118 units in 2005).

Perodua's star rose with the Myvi, which was launched in May 2005 and rapidly became the nation's best-selling car over the next few years.

However, in recent years, Proton has narrowed the sales gap considerably with successful models such as the current-generationSaga, which sold 72,303 units last year (compared with Myvi sales of 77,657 units).

An automotive analyst with a local research firm said Proton had done well with the car models released in the past three years.

“Also, the strong 2011 first-quarter sales performance can be partly attributed to the Inspira which created new excitement when it was launched last November. Sales for a new car model is usually very strong in the first few months,” she said.

Meanwhile, an OSK Research automotive analyst said Proton had a good chance of overtaking Perodua in 2013.

“Public perception of Proton cars has improved in recent years. Last year, Proton exported about 14% of its total production. Also, in the near future, Proton is likely to have a 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine for itsExora. There is also a strong possibility of a global compact car introduction by 2013 in a tie-up with Nissan.”

The OSK Research analyst pointed out that Proton sales were also boosted by an exchange programme, which begun in mid-February and will end on April 30, where customers could trade in their cars (10 years old and above) and obtain rebates for a new Gen2, Waja or Savvy.

Discounts offered are up to RM6,000 and RM4,000 for 2010 and 2011 Proton models respectively.

Also, the impending launch of a Myvi replacement model, which is believed to be in the second half of this year, might have cooled Perodua sales.

Both analysts said many car buyers were holding back purchases while waiting for the new Myvi to be launched.-biz.thestar.com.my