And with one scoop, your site has scalped everybody else's. Hope you have a traffic counter to monitor your hits. Congratulations. As for the Indon market the Avanza and Innova rules, unless you can compete on boot space as well. See if the Exora can become the next 7 seater taxi of choice there.
Diesels are not particularly popular in Asia, and research indicates the primary reason is image.
In many Asian countries - notably Japan and China - the image of diesel powered vehicles is chained to commercial vehicles. This is the primary reason that diesel passenger cars are many slow headway - if any - in this neighbourhood.
Malaysia gets another one-two hit as well; the putrid quality of diesel as Mel has already said and the fact that road tax for diesels was demonstrably higher than petrol vehicles (I say 'was' because I have been told this anomaly has ended). In the case of a passenger car it could be as much as seven times higher for a diesel-powered car than an equivalent petrol model.
I guess that's where the diesel subsidy came from - you merely paid it to yourself separately.
Australia had a brief flirtation with diesel cars a year or so back, but the better fuel economy was hammered by the fact diesel is considerably more expensive than petrol in the big red land to the south and you'd have to drive a helluva lot to save through improved fuel economy what the added expense of diesel engine brought to the on-road price.
Hey Diamond Koo aka K2H - I will take you for the drive of your life when I have the Exora Manual. Up to it? With a name like yours, you should refrain from using so many emoticons.
Hey Diamond, my X5 reference will get a lot of guys hot under the collar; they won't get the gist of the argument - the Exora is a more balanced entity for on-the-edge handling.
To prove this point, I suggest you lay your hands on an X5, no matter the version - the larger the engine capacity the better for my argument - and I will choose the Exora Manual.
We can race down any significant mountain stretch - Genting, Bukit Tinggi, Frasers, Bentong-to-The-Gap - IN THE WET!!
You will then see what I mean by 'balance'.
Too many people mistake sheer power, and a high price, for ability.
I would love for you guys to ride with Tengku Azizan, and have him teach you how to drive on a skidpan - sideways for as long as you can take it. I have yet to master that!
Sorry for the decorative, obnoxious smileys (thought your comments page need a little colour).
Can't borrow an X5. I mean, really, who can? And to loan it to...err...race (to win, I expect) down a twisty, wet mountain road. Woa.
BTW, is it going to be with 6 other passengers on board or single driver only race? Just asking...
But I sure would love to go for that Exora manual ride tho.
Cheers.
PS Hope you get more traffic soon..it's rather eerie around your site. This wee little section has but a dozen comments, and 4 are admin chaps! Go drive more traffic here. Go, go, go, drive like the Exora.
It’s been a long time since I have read your work on the local automotive scene.I’ve been a regular follower since your days in Asian Auto. I used to follow your reviews and opnions as it was well balanced and very objective driven.....objective by which I mean in the interest of car buyers. However, did not get the same Mel factor in Cars.my though. And now...lastcaronearth.com
Seems like your work is spiraling downwards..Nowadays your articles are all bout your self glory between the lines..
Your musings on the Exora is almost a dream come true for Proton. I have never seen anyone polish an apple so bright till it blinds the eyes..
If I remember correctly, you were the total opposite during the days when Tengku Mahaleel was at the helm…Proton was at the receiving end of your stick at almost any occasion be it a new car launch or a test drive..
Then all changed……suddenly you are Proton’s no 1 fan..and part of the team…I wonder how that came to be..
**Footnote: When other journalists got wind of my drive session they lobbied the Proton management for their turn. The bosses acquiesced, and arranged for them to have a go at the MPV, with the understanding that they would report on it this Sunday. I was asked to comply with this embargo. My reply was: I did not work so hard all these years just so others can enjoy the influence and privileges I earned. And I sure did not give up publishing magazines AND not enjoy the gratification of this real-time medium. Get used to the brave new world, guys.
Hahaha…this footnote is a joke, I have been in the industry to know that car manufacturers/companies invite all the journalist at one go because I myself have organized test drives and I know how the invites are made.. There seems to be a lot of angst there….why? other people beating you to it?..or you are getting a bit insecure?
And then, this..this has to take the cake!
**“This MPV took to the long and fast sweepers of Karak Highway with an aplomb that no other people-carrier, with the exception of the BMW tourers (which are stationwagons), can hope to match” :shock:
I do not know how you qualify this…but my question to you, are you saying that Proton produced a product that can match BMW tourers in the handling department when BMW spends a bomb perfecting their vehicle handling though R&D and technological advancement?
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