Joyous Finale As PROTON Delivers Final Makeover Car

Shah Alam, 24 May 2012 - The final recipient of the “My PROTON Makeover” program, Madam Lee Koon Gaik, had her newly refurbished Proton Saga Aeroback returned to her by PROTON’s Director of Group Marketing, Branding & Motorsports, John D. Chacko, at a jovial gathering at PROTON’s Centre of Excellence today.

As part of PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” promise, the car makeover program was developed to reward loyal and long standing customers of PROTON. Speaking on behalf of the national automotive manufacturer, Chacko was extremely pleased in witnessing the return of the sixth and final car to its owner.

“PROTON has worked unceasingly through the years in providing the best for our customers. We are really happy and encouraged by the many loyal customers that we have gained over the years” said Chacko. “Madam Lee’s love and trust in her Proton Saga is truly heartening, and this makeover is truly a gift and tribute to her for her devotion to the PROTON brand” Chacko added.

Madam Lee, 54 - from Seri Kembangan Selangor, was understandably very emotional when she handed over her Proton Saga Aeroback to PROTON for the makeover, as she had been driving it for almost 20 years. A gift from her husband way back in 1991, her car had been a trustworthy workhorse and companion, assisting her in caring for her ailing father, as well as seeing her sons to school, college and their early working life. A one-car owner, Madam Lee believes that her Saga Aeroback is a car for a lifetime, and her devotion was obvious when she decided not to participate in the government’s voluntary scrapping incentive in return for a new Proton car back in 2009.

Speaking on behalf of R3, PROTON’s motorsports arm that undertook the refurbishment work of the car, Head of Engineering, Tengku Djan Ley expressed the team’s honour to be able to be part of the programme that recognizes loyal PROTON owners, saying that the R3 team was also heartened by Madam Lee’s belief and trust in them.

“Understanding her driving patterns as she uses her car for her daily errands, we worked to give the car a more pleasurable drive. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt without adding any performance enhancements or modifications, with the exhaust system being tweaked to improve the car’s torque without making it loud and noisy,” said Tengku Djan.

“Considering that she does a considerable amount of town driving, the car’s suspension was upgraded, with the new parts and components installed to improve the ride comfort of the car. To improve the car’s stability, we went with 16-inch wheels which will enhance the car’s overall road holding ability” he added.

The R3 team maintained the Saga Aeroback’s classic look and feel, giving the exterior of the car a coat of metallic silver paint with gun metal highlights. Adding to that, pinstripes with R3’s signature red colour was added to give the car a fresh look. The car’s interior was redone as well to match the car’s exterior, being refreshed and upholstered in leather with red highlights.

Madam Lee was visibly moved when she received the keys to her refurbished car. “I have always maintained that this car would be sufficient to serve me a lifetime. Thank you PROTON for your commitment towards simple customers like me, going the extra mile to help me keep this car going. Your efforts and generosity will always be remembered!” she said.

“My PROTON Makeover”, in line with PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” promise, required submissions of personal and heart-warming stories involving contestants and their PROTON cars, with the best stories winning a complete car makeover

For more information about “My PROTON Makeover” and the cars that were worked on, visit www.protonvip.com or follow PROTON ONLINE SALES on www.facebook.com/Proton Online Sales

Satria Gets New Zest In Fifth Proton Car Makeover

SUBANG JAYA: Amirul Azim, the fifth winner of the “My PROTON Makeover” program, recently received his newly refurbished 11-year old Proton Satria, which was handed over by PROTON’s Director of Group Marketing, Branding & Motorsports, John D. Chacko, and Head of Engineering at R3 unit, PROTON Motorsports Division, Tengku Djan Ley bin Tengku Mahaleel at PROTON’s Centre of Excellence.

As part of PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” initiative, the programme’s aim was to reward the national automotive manufacturer’s faithful customers with a unique car makeover.

“I am sure many Malaysians have witnessed the prowess of PROTON’s Motorsports Division at the recent POWER OF ONE event. Our commitment to being better does not end there and we want to continue to let our long standing customers know that our strength as a brand comes as a result of their loyalty. For that, we want to reward them and show our appreciation for their support,” said Chacko. “Amirul’s love for his Satria and faith in the PROTON brand is clear to us, and I am very happy that we are giving his car more years on the road,” he added.

Having owned the one car throughout his life, Petaling Jaya-born Amirul, who works for an IT management company, described his relationship with the Satria as one that has matured over the years. From his bachelor days, subsequently into marriage and now as a father of two, Amirul’s Satria has seen many miles with his daily commute to Cyberjaya and regular trips to Kuantan to visit his parents. He attests to being a very proud Proton owner and an avid car collector, albeit on a smaller scale, with a fondness for Hot Wheels die-cast toy cars.

In relating the work on the Proton Satria, Tengku Djan Ley of the R3 unit was very pleased with the results achieved by the team.

“When he handed his car over to us, Amirul expressed his admiration for PROTON and the work done by the R3 team. He mentioned his appreciation towards the Proton Satria Neo R3, so we decided to give his car a Fire Red body colour, along with a Satria GTI body kit and a limited edition R3 race splitter,” said Tengku Djan.

Elaborating further, Tengku Djan said that Amirul expressed his joy for fast driving, as well as his long-distance commuting. As such, in overhauling the car’s engine, tweaks were made to adjust to Amirul’s driving habits to enhance overall performance of his well-loved Satria. To ensure that the car is able to handle the added power, a coil-over system was installed to improve its handling, with the rear brakes being upgraded from drums to discs, giving the Satria better stopping power.

“With regards to the aesthetics, we gave the car’s interior a matching red theme, similar to that of the Satria Neo R3. Topping it off, we opted to give Amirul a set of 15-inch wheels, so that the acceleration of his 1.3 litre car will not be compromised. This is definitely an impressive package presented by the R3 team, not just with regards to performance and drivability, but also in its styling,” said Tengku Djan.

The car handover was a moment to remember for Amirul, who profusely thanked the R3 team during the ceremony. “This unforgettable gift from PROTON will forever be etched in my heart. The generosity, time and effort that PROTON has given to my car and to me are just immeasurable.”

“My PROTON Makeover”, in line with PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” campaign, required submissions of personal and heart-warming stories involving contestants and their PROTON cars, with the best stories winning a complete car makeover.

For more information and updates on the progress of the cars, visit www.protonvip.com or follow PROTON ONLINE SALES on www.facebook.com/Proton Online Sales

IT expert and housewife the final winners of Proton makeover contest

SUBANG  JAYA: "My  Proton Makeover” competition ended with the announcement that an IT expert and a home maker will be the final recipients of cars that will be given a new lease of life.

IT  consultant Amirul  Azim  Mohd Hussain, 36, and home maker Lee Koon Gaik, 54, submitted their old cars recently to Proton, the fifth and sixth cars to undergo the refurbishment programme.

Satria owner Amirul  Azim said his car had served him well for 11 years from his bachelor days and even now when he has become a father.

Amirul  Azim handing in his Satria for a makeover.

He revelaed that he was a toy car collector, and have accumulated a sizeable cache of Hot Wheels die-cast cars.    

Lee's husband bought her a Saga 20 years ago.  The car had been a reliable workhorse over the years, allowing her to send her sons to school, college and  early working life. 

Lee said she had grown attached to the Saga and had even declined to give up the car for a new Proton under the government’s voluntary scrapping incentive in 2009.   

“Even with the common wear and tear over the past 20 years, I am still able to rely on it to get me around - and I’m happy to be able to treat it to a little pampering with this makeover."

Proton Motorsports R3 engineering chief Tengku  Djan  Ley  Tengku  Mahaleel said on Friday that the company would ensure the cars perform with greater reliability, efficiency and safety after the makeover.

For more information, go to www.protonvip.com.

Tengku  Djan  Ley (left) was on hand to receive the old Saga belonging to Lee, who was accompanied by her family for the handover. click

My Proton Makeover – the Satria GTI goes back to Hafiz

The rework on the fourth Proton VIP Makeover vehicle has been completed, and Hafiz Mohd Hashim’s Satria GTI was handed back to him at the Power of 1 event at Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 2001 model year hatch has been repainted in a Lotus Racing Green shade, and besides the usual reupholstering of the interior, the R3 boys have added in some extra bits.

On the engine front, the engine now features retuned cam timing, and the R3 lads have ported the cylinder head. The ECU has also been remapped, and other mechanicals include the addition of a new carbon-fibre air intake box, a new exhaust system and a coilover suspension system from Hot Bits, built to R3′s Stage 3 specification.

The car also gets new slotted and grooved brake rotors right through, replete with performance brake pads, with Momo steering wheel and R3 wheels wrapped with Bridgestone RE002 rubbers completing the job sheet.

Hafiz officially received his car back from Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin at the event. We caught up him later in the evening, and he was pretty chuffed by the rework, to say the least.

His Satria GTI now joins a 1992 Saga, a 1994 Wira and a 1996 Iswara Aeroback as the makeover specials. click

-Paultan

Engineer Wins Reward Of A Lifetime With PROTON’S Car Makeover

SUBANG JAYA: The R3 Unit of PROTON Motorsports Division today returned a completely made-over 1996 Proton Iswara Aeroback to the third recipient of the ‘My PROTON Makeover’ programme. Norzamzarini Mohd Bajuri, was given the keys to his newly refurbished car by PROTON’s Director of Group Marketing, Branding & Motorsports, John D. Chacko, and Head of Engineering of the R3 unit of PROTON Motorsports Division, Tengku Djan Ley bin Tengku Mahaleel.

“This new lease of life that PROTON has given to my car is a gift beyond words and is truly a blessing to me and my family. Thank you so much PROTON!” said Norzamzarini, 35, a software engineer from Muar. 

“In organising this contest, we received many submissions that were very personal and meaningful,” said John D. Chacko. “This overwhelming response is wonderful as it enables us to show our appreciation and reward our faithful customers in line with our “Committed to Be Better” promise that reflects PROTON’s efforts at improvement, particularly towards quality and customer care. Norzamzarini’s composition stood out to us as a very heartfelt piece, therefore we are honoured to reward him for such sincere customer loyalty,” he added.

The red, second-hand Proton Iswara Aeroback 1.3 that Norzamzarini purchased in 1998 received the full R3 treatment, from the powertrain aspect of the car to its overall appearance.

“As it was the primary mode of transport for Norzamzarini and his family, the car clocked high mileage with its daily use. Knowing that the consistency of its usage will continue, the work that was done to the car’s performance was not so much as to give it more power, but to improve its drivability and efficiency,” explained Tengku Djan Ley.

The ideas behind the reworking of the car as explained by Tengku Djan Ley, was to ensure its practicality without compromising its external looks. 

“Norzamzarini mentioned that he liked the colour orange. We then explored that option and decided to do the car up in Lotus orange,” said Tengku Djan. “There was a slight fear that this could potentially make his car look a little tacky. However, the decision to use a significant amount of Titanium-coloured detailing helped us avoid that and ultimately gave the car a uniquely classy and sporty look,” Tengku Djan noted with satisfaction. The car also sports a dark interior with strong hints of Lotus orange, fittingly complementing its exterior. 

The engine and the gearbox were given a full overhaul while the suspension system received special attention. Tengku Djan explained that it was adjusted to give Norzamzarini’s car a standard feel even whilst looking sporty, emphasising that the main outcome is to be a balanced performance for day-to-day driving. 

“We also opted to use 15 inch rims to improve and sustain the car’s balance, so that it will not result in high fuel consumption,” Tengku Djan added. 

“My PROTON Makeover”, rooted in PROTON’s overall “Committed to Be Better” campaign required submissions of personal and heart-warming stories involving contestants and their PROTON cars, with the best five stories winning a complete car makeover. 

For more information and updates on the progress of the cars, visit www.protonvip.com or follow PROTON on www.facebook.com/ProtonCars