PROTON TO RETROFIT 225,930 CARS WITH REAR CENTRE SEAT BELTS FOR FREE

National carmaker PROTON Holdings Berhad announces a nationwide exercise to fit  rear centre lap seatbelt for 225,930 units of cars it manufactured between 2004 and 2008.

The affected models, which were not pre-fitted with the centre seat belt are  the earlier Proton Saga model manufactured between 2004 and 2008 (144,000 units), and the Gen2 model manufactured between 2004 and June 2008 (81,930 units). These cars were fitted only with two rear seat belts.

This exercise is conducted in conjunction with rulings made by the Government to require all three rear passengers to buckle up. Although the ruling is expected to be enforced beginning January 1, next year, car owners were given three-year grace period to comply.

PROTON managing director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin bin Syed Mohamed Tahir said in view of the new ruling, PROTON will retrofit the centre rear lap seatbelt for free on the affected cars.

“As a responsible car manufacturer, PROTON supports the government’s move and believes that it should not burden the car buyers to pay for the extra seat belt,” said Dato’ Syed Zainal, adding that this exercise is important for the safety of the passengers.

He added that the exercise would cost PROTON about RM7.3million and it was conducted as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility iniatives.

Dato’ Syed Zainal Abidin advised car owners to not rush into the service centres as the installation will only be done upon prior appointment.

The exercise to retrofit the cars will commence on 1st of December 2008for Peninsular Malaysia and on 1st of January 2009 for Sabah andSarawak. PROTON is expected to take about 13 months to complete the retrofitting exercise. The retrofitting service will be available at allProton Edar Sdn Bhd and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad (EON Berhad)Service branches, as well as all service dealers nationwide.

To make appointment, customers are required to call the nearest service outlet. For information on service outlet locations and contact details, customers may call the PROTON i.care toll free number 1300-880-888 for assistance. Alternatively, customers may also register for an appointment via Proton dar’s official website www.proton-edar.com.my<http://www.proton-edar.com.my/> . Upon online registration, personnel from the nearest service outlet will contact the customer to confirm on an appointment date and time at the nearest service branch.
Customers are also advised to write down their car chassis number and the preferred colour, before making an appointment either by phone or online registration. Retrofitting work will take approximately 20 minutes per car.

PROTON had in June signed an MOU with the Road Safety Department of the Ministry of Transport for collaboration in researching, developing and promoting vehicle, road and user safety through a community-based program in the country.

The PROTON-Road Safety Department partnership will extend to joint road safety campaigns as well as conducting car crash demonstrations, safe driving clinics, car maintenance clinics, and highlighting the importance of seat belt usage.