I think automotive industry don't go well with politics. I say just let Proton's engineers and designer free from constraint. I'm an engineer myself and I don't like my hard work or project that I did for few sleepless nights went into the dust bin because a fat guy sitting on top says it's not necessary.
Off topic a bit, talking about internet speed. I can download 4 HD movies in about 5 hours in Japan so you do the math on how fast their internet speed is. Surfing ZTH in Japan is like a breeze.
Apart from Proton, the vendors involved in selling parts to Proton also needs to improved. Parts quality need to go up not down and the vendors too have to keep doing more RnD to produce better and improved parts to help the car company also. It's not a 1 man show thing, it involves different bodies and if everyone has to be on the same page.
The supplier will provide what they are paid for... Just a simple story to share.. Sorry, again out of topic...
I went to a sparepart shop around Puchong area because i was looking for WAJA power window replacement.
The shop owner ask me..." China ka? Origina..? Origina RM80, China RM60"... Then, I was like =.="... "Apek, if ori and china only differs by RM20, Need to ask meh... Ori lor..."
Apek: Aiks... Ori warranty U 3 months. That's what Proton warranty me. China I can warranty U up tp 6 months.
Me: Apsal Apek..?
Apek: Aiya... business ma... When the purchaser sourcing for stuff, they want to have stock for RM40 and sell for RM70 ma... Then, the purchaser also told the supplier to kasi kowtim yum char.. then the supplier will go round look for stuff that are RM25. RM10 for untung and RM5 for that fella yumcha... And I untung RM10 leh... So, at the end of the day, RM80 u pay is for RM25 punya balang...
Me: Ha....
Apek: Then this supplier go source for something that worth RM40. Sell it to us at RM50. We sell it to you at RM60 lor... But when I sell this China one, i have less headache la... No complain....
And there goes, my friend uses the power window for 5 years until he sold his car...
on the supplier quality...do they practise KPI tracking and supplier ratings or are the suppliers chosen cos got cable? business should be handled like a business. to make money. and to make money, they need to manufacture products that ppl want. What TR says is right. politics and the automotive industry shouldn't be so intermingled. granted GLCs are needed but they should be handled with less politics involved...
4HD movies in 5 hours...over here is like 4weeks.
Well, The PXXXXX pratices all u mentioned. KPI tracking and supplier ratings by official. But inofficially, there'll be purchaser that leaks some information to the strong cables to somwhat reduce the price in order to get the job. When price reduces, the quality reduces as well... And, on the other hand, supplier rating.. They'll call and do audit... However, when they come they might just go somwhere nearby and call the supplier saying they've urgency... Not able to make it... And snake to somewhere... So, when the attitude is not there... Susah la...
One last story to share... My friend, a graduate from Uniten. Back to 5 years back. With the Final Year project fund and some other fund, he managed to make an Open Wheel Racing Vehicle that looks like an F1 with well designed force and damping transfered suspension system using motorcycle suspension with mechanical rocker for increase the damping by 10X. Suspension placed parallel to chasis like F1 and rear suspension W in shape... Tested in Sepang. Alex Yoong also tested it...
All the details and design is done by computer simulation and CAD. ProE, Katia, CFD, etc etc...
Total cost of the whole project is RM10K. And the whole car weighs around 800KG with him(ard 80KG in the car)
As a friend, I asked him what's ur plan after grad.. He said he want to work for proton RND, and he did apply for such position and ended up in a production side with bunch of idea to improve production and quality being threw into the rubbish bin before the first year ended....
haha... what a sad case....