Proton pairs 'competitive' servicing costs with aftersales investment

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd is balancing low servicing expenses for the new Saga and S70 models with ongoing investment in aftersales assistance, according to a study by the company's service division. The investigation indicates that competitive labour fees and complimentary labour benefits contribute to keeping routine servicing costs reasonable, underlining the appeal of Proton's sedan range.

The S70 is estimated to incur a five-year scheduled maintenance expense of RM4,010.59, which is around RM1,591 lower than the leading non-national B-segment competitor and RM433 less than a more recent rival. This cost advantage also extends over a decade, with the S70's projected 10-year maintenance expense of RM9,070.09 saving approximately RM2,191 and RM1,252 compared to both benchmark rivals.

The turbocharged S70 also exhibits competitive pricing, with an estimated five-year maintenance cost of about RM1,076 lower than its first rival and virtually comparable to the other, differing by just RM83. Over the course of ten years, its estimated maintenance expense is roughly RM1,575 and RM629 lower than its rivals, despite being a more substantial vehicle with enhanced driving performance.

In contrast, the newly launched Saga demonstrates estimated five-year scheduled maintenance costs beginning at around RM3,357, with savings of approximately RM174 and RM64 for its four-speed automatic and CVT versions, respectively, compared to the national brand benchmark used in the study. The study encompasses scheduled maintenance items, required replacements, labour charges, and applicable taxes, based on 100,000km over five years and 200,000km over ten years.