Voice-activated car turns heads
PHP Automobiles, the local distributor for Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings Berhad, yesterday rolled out the Proton X70 SUV, the first voice-activated car in Bangladesh.
The car was officially added to the company's inventory at the PHP Motor Fest-2021, a six-day event being held at its base in Chattogram.
"Various functions in the car, such as lowering and lifting the windows or controlling the audio system, can be operated via voice commands while self-parking technology and several other technologies will be gradually updated in the model in phases," Akhtar Parvez, managing director of PHP Automobiles, told The Daily Star.
The price of a Proton X70 SUV, which is a 1477cc vehicle, has been fixed at Tk 48 lakh.
After getting a good response from buyers for modern cars, the company decided to upgrade all its other models with advanced technology as well, he said.
As such, other 2021 model cars, including the latest variations of the Proton Saga and Proton Persona, were also on display at the festival.
According to company officials, PHP Family had announced that it would enter the car market through its concern, PHP Automobiles, in mid-2015. PHP Automobiles then began locally assembling Proton cars in a first for the country in mid-2017, launching its first iteration of the Proton Saga that year.
The company has since successfully marketed several models of the Malaysian brand, such as the latest Proton Saga, Proton Saga MC, Proton Preve, Proton Persona, Proton Exora and Proton X-70 (Microbus).
"But since spare parts for Proton cars are still not readily available in local markets, we deliver any parts that can be ordered from our website within 24 hours," Parvez said.
Besides, the company also offers five years of after-sales service to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, he added.
The company's factory in Chattogram's Sagarika area currently employs about 265 workers to assemble 10 to 12 vehicles per shift.
As such, the factory has an annual production capacity of 1,200 vehicles, PHP officials said.
PHP Automobiles already has showrooms in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet but plans to eventually have a presence in all the divisions and important districts of the country.
While addressing the event on its opening day yesterday, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said Bangladesh's automobile industry is expanding and PHP Automobiles is one of the best examples in this regard.
"PHP is a very good at making cars with a fair price for all, which is a challenge in the current automobile industry," he added.
Mahbubul Alam, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was present at the event chaired by Sufi Mizanur Rahman, chairman of PHP Family.