PROTON EYES THAILAND, INDONESIA FOR ITS NEW MPVs

SHAH ALAM (Malaysia), Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd plans to market its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which will be introduced early next year, in Indonesia and Thailand, said its managing director, Syed ZainalAbidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

"We expect to launch our MPV by end-March or early April next year. Three
months after the launch, we will market them in Indonesia as MPVs account for 40
percent of total sales volume there," he told reporters after the launch of
Proton MPV naming contest here Monday.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the new MPV would be affordable and was designed
for families as it would have more leg room and luggage space.

On the contest, he said, participants could submit the name for the MPV
through short messaging service (SMS) or online at www.proton.com.

The SMS and online contest will start from today till Sept 30, he
said.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the part of the proceeds from the SMS entries would
be donated to charity.

He said winners would be notified by telephone in October.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the grand prize winner would get the new Proton MPV
while the two runners-up will each win a trip for two to Lotus UK worth
RM15,000 each.