The new Proton Iriz compact – the one former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad was seen driving to Pavilion KL two weeks ago – has already been snapped up 17,000 times, even though it only officially launched yesterday.
To be fair, Proton’s 23rd car model has been on presale since the Iriz’s announcement a month ago, but 17,000 units moved in a month is a big deal for the national carmaker these days.
Kosmo quotes Proton chairman Mahathir himself lamenting after yesterday’s official launch ceremony, “There was a time when Proton would rack up 16,000 unit sales a month. Those numbers have fallen. However, based on the initial response to the Iriz, we believe this new model will allow Proton to scale those heights again.”
It remains to be seen if those sales numbers hold up for the long haul, and if the Proton Iriz will provide stiff competition to the current Malaysian car every other Malaysian drives – the Perodua Myvi.
