New Dealers Around the Country Add Strength to Proton Push

MILPERRA, AUSTRALIA- August 11, 2009: Proton has announced it's successfully recruited a number of new dealers in key regional and metropolitan areas around the country as part of its program to rebuild its national network.

The Proton dealer network is again 35 following the appointment of six new dealers across the country in the past month, while the company has accepted applications from a number of other dealers ahead of the launch in October of a new entry level car that promises to be Australia's lowest priced four door sedan.

Interest in the marque from highly accomplished dealers has been intense according to Proton Cars Australia General Manager of sales and operations, Billy Falconer.

"We have signed on new dealers in West Australia, Queensland, NSW and South Australia and we have accepted applications from a number of other dealers," said Billy Falconer.

"The company is in close discussion with another 11 dealers and I am confident we will appoint most of these outlets in the next few months, realising our goal of expanding our network to around 50 by the end of 2009," he said.

"Proton has been very careful in selecting dealers who have a genuine interest in expanding sales and helping to take Proton to the next level in Australia," he added.

"We deliberately shed under-performing dealers over the past few months to make way for high calibre operations and I feel certain we now have a much stronger, more active and capable network in key markets around the country.

"In Queensland we have appointed Reef City Motors in the booming town of Gladstone as well as Ian Boetcher Motors in Bundamba near Brisbane, strengthening our representation in our best performing state," said Billy Falconer.

"We have signed on Hunter Proton in Cessnock near Newcastle and Cowra Motors in the central west of NSW to expand our operations in the Premier State while we have added a new Adelaide metropolitan dealer with Newspot Proton opening for business in Hampstead Gardens," he added.

"Meanwhile the coastal resort town of Mandurah just south of Perth has seen the Paterson Auto Group sign on as our newest Proton dealer in WA," he said.

"There is a car park of around 25,000 Protons on Australian roads, the marque has been established here for 14 years and it is now time to take the brand to a higher level," Billy Falconer concluded.

Proton was established in 1983, and is Malaysia's largest manufacturer of automobiles. With operations in key markets including the UK, Western Europe, the Middle East and across South-East Asia and Australasia, Proton produces a range of cars from versatile and reliable four-door family sedans to sporty three-door hatchbacks and utilities, and is also the parent company of world-renowned sports car maker, Lotus.

Proton's promise is to be a marque which builds cars with passion, and soul, which are a delight to drive, and a pleasure to own.