It must be getting close to the end of the financial year... In the first of what will be many and varied end of financial year deals from the spectrum of car makers, Proton has teamed up with mobile phone company Boost Mobile to offer "a special promotion that brings together the new Proton Savvy with a special leading edge technology package for leading edge lifestyles."
The short version is a free phone with every Savvy bought before June 30.
The phone in question is a snazzy new Motorola C650 MTV Mobile Phone. Proton says the new Motorola allows you to "run your life, listen to music and watch TV." Let's hope Savvy buyers don't choose to do all this while exercising the little five-door's 55kW powerhouse.
Priced from $13,990 the Savvy boasts an impressive list of standard equipment (including SRS dual front airbags, remote central locking with alarm, reverse sensors, ABS with EBD, air conditioning and alloy wheels) but has been criticised for a distinct lack of oomph.
Nor has it set the sales charts alight. In a burgeoning light car market Proton has sold just 62 Savvys (VFACTS April 2006 YTD). This compares to over 7700 Toyota Yaris and 6500 Hyundai Getz, the respective segment sales one-two.