December 22^nd, 1999                              

Satria value excels on the bottom line

Proton’s entry level Satria has helped the company to a record sales result in November, as Australian consumers become more aware of the Malaysian marque.

Although a small player in the Australian car market, Proton recorded a 20 percent better sales result than any previous month since entering the local market just over four years ago.

According to Proton Cars Australia national sales manager, Mr Bill Gillespie, the bottom end of the new car market is a fierce sales battlefield where $50 will often change a buyer’s mind, but where not all players participate on an equal level.

"It is apparent that more and more Australians are realising that the Satria GL and the Satria and Persona Xli offer very honest value compared with many of their competitors," said Mr Gillespie.

"The cars on offer are sharply priced and provide the chance to buy new instead of used which is a very appealing proposition for most people.

"New car buyers need to ‘shop smart’ to get the best value for money in this category with cars varying greatly and what you actually get for you money varies just as much".

Proton Cars Australia confidently puts forward its Satria GL as the best value buy on the Australian market at the moment.

At $13,990 drive away with air conditioning, power steering, Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo cassette sound system, immobiliser, cloth trim, 50/50 folding rear seat, tilt adjust steering wheel as well as painted bumpers and exterior mirrors, the Satria GL is a cut above other offerings in the market.

No other car maker offers Satria GL’s standard equipment, size, performance and quality in the one package.

The multi valve, multi point fuel injected engine delivers 55kw of power while consuming minimal amounts of fuel. Average fuel consumption for Satria GL is an indicated 7.3/100km.

Unlike most cars in the category, Satria GL uses a fully independent, multi link rear suspension and not a cheap beam axle.

The benefits are immediately obvious when driving the Satria GL on a challenging road where its sure footed handling and firm but compliant ride are amply demonstrated.

In addition to its high equipment levels the dynamic functions of the Satria GL have also been refined.

Steering is by power assisted rack and pinion with a small 5.1m turning circle.

Comparing Satria GL to the tiny Daewoo Matiz there is very little difference in dollars when you realise its $12,000 list price does not include on road costs.

Matiz’ tiny 37.5kw three cylinder 800cc engine is possibly economical but when faced with carrying four passengers with the air conditioning on, performance falls well short of the Proton.

Similarly, Daihatsu’s 1.0L Sirion lacks power with a scant 40kw on tap to push everything along. Sirion buyers also need to add on-road costs, amounting to about $1200, to the list price of $11,990, which also does not include power steering.

Hyundai’s Excel has a question mark over its build quality, highlighted by the chassis repairs needed on thousands of Excels recently, while current low pricing of around $12,990 is part of its run out phase.

Ford’s Festiva offers a similar price tag but cannot match the Satria’s power and torque figures nor its ride and handling package.

Other cars in the category cost a lot more, ranging up to $17,000 plus for the 43kW 1.3 litre Ford Ka and 63kW 1.3 litre Toyota Echo equipped to the same standard as the standard Satria GL with air conditioning and power steering.