Proton Perdana More Expensive To Maintain Than A Mercedes Benz? Unbelievable

Terengganu Chief Minister is getting blasted for using Mercedes-Benz E200s

instead of Malaysia's own Proton Perdanas

as official state vehicles. He claims E200s are cheaper to maintain. Who's he trying to fool? The spare parts and accessories of a Perdana can be found in almost any car workshop throughout Malaysia but those of an E200 can only be found in an workshop authorised by Mercedes-Benz.

If he's concerned with keeping maintenance costs low, he should consider getting Toyota Camrys instead.

A Camry is cheaper than a E200 and less costly to maintain too.
---------------------------------------------------------------
TODAY, Friday, 25th July, 2008
PROTON TOO COSTLY? GET A MERC
-------------------------------
Terengganu Chief Minister justifies trading in Protons for Mercedes-Benz
E200s
KUALA LUMPUR — The Chief Minister of Terengganu has hit back at critics who rebuked him for buying 14 Mercedes-Benz cars to be used as official state vehicles, reported the New Straits Times (NST).
"You can go to some of the Cabinet ministers' houses. I am sure you will see Mercedes-Benz cars in their garages," said Mr Ahmad Said yesterday. He claimed that all the chief ministers in other states knew that the official Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars were faulty, but did not want to admit it.
"I am not a hypocrite, I am telling the truth. I am being transparent here. Proton should see this in a positive light and improve itself," he was quoted by NST.
"I have to think of how to save the people's money.
"Ask any engineer and they will tell you that the Mercedes E200
Kompressors are more economical in the long run."
Proton responded that it has not received any warranty claims from the Terengganu government on its Perdana V6 Executive cars, reported NST.
"Proton is looking :seriously into this matter. We will be contacting the state government to find out the details of the service history records of the affected cars, for Proton to provide necessary assistance on this matter," it said.
Proton also said that, based on its records, the maintenance cost and efficiency of the model is moderate and reasonable, reported the NST. Last week, Mr Ahmad sparked an outcry with his claim that Terengganu's 3.43-million-ringgit ($1.43 million) expenditure on the German cars was a "cost-cutting measure".
The NST reported that :Mr Ahmad later said the gearbox and fuel consumption of the Perdana were the main culprits of the high costs, and that the cars would be given to other government departments. Meanwhile, Bernama news agency reported that the chief ministers of Pahang and Kelantan have come to :Mr Ahmad's defence. Mr Adnan Yaakob and Mr Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said it was costly to maintain the national cars. But Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Terengganu government's purchase of the Mercedes-Benz cars was not right at a time of economic uncertainty, and added that it should have settled for a cheaper car such as a Toyota.