In order to grow its volumes further, Proton will need to look for new markets outside Malaysia and while the number of export markets is small, the increasing popularity of the Malaysian brand means brighter prospects for the future. One such market which is showing great potential is South Africa, which Proton returned to this year after a 10-year absence.

For its return, Proton teamed up with CMH (Combined Motor Holdings) Group, an investment holding company which has been active in the motor business since 1987. Proton joins a long list of global brands that CMH represents, some of which are Ford, Chery, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Mahindra, Peugeot and Citroen.

To car companies, customers are the most important people for their business and every effort is made to ensure that they have a great ownership experience. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, has various activities that enhance that experience and recently, the company hosted the first-ever Ford Inner Circle event in Malaysia.

The Ford Inner Circle event brought together customers of the Next-Generation Ford Ranger customers at the flagship Ford showroom in Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. Being a festive month, it had a Christmas theme for Ranger owners and their families.

Besides the food, fun and drink, expert instructors were also on hand at a familiarisation workshop to give owners a deeper understanding of their Ranger. Some may already have been truck owners but the latest Ranger comes with many new features, especially impressive high-tech features, which may be new to many.

It appears that since we have had a confirmed new government, the price of RON97 petrol has become cheaper and cheaper. Of course, it’s a coincidence as retail prices of fuel are based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) which takes into account many factors (not just the global oil prices). Anyway, there’s yet another 20 sen reduction after midnight today, taking the price per litre down to RM3.35.

A year ago, as part of the centenary celebrations for the collaboration between Alfa Romeo and Zagato (which began in 1921 with the TIPO G1), the creation of a new model was proposed as a commemorative exercise.

The idea was to celebrate the current Alfa Romeo production of Giulia and Stelvio, together with the legendary 6-cylinder engine in its latest GTAm evolution with a 2-door Coupe Zagato body in carbonfibre and a shortened wheelbase.