The Egyptian car market is characterized by a variety of models and brands. What’s striking is the presence of several locally assembled models, such as Nissan, BMW, Geely, and others. Perhaps the latest name to enter the Egyptian market is the Malaysian car manufacturer Proton.
The Malaysian brand Proton offers the Proton Saga facelift, a small sedan, in Egypt, through its authorized agent, Ezz El Arab. This locally assembled car is considered the cheapest new car in the Egyptian market.
The new Saga is powered by a small, 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine with 95 hp and a maximum torque of 120 Nm. It is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering good performance and enabling the car to reach a top speed of 155 km/h.
The car’s overall length is 4,200 mm, its width is 1,600 mm, and its overall height is 1,500 mm. Its ground clearance is 171 mm, and its trunk space is 413 cubic liters.
The Proton Saga is equipped with a host of new features, most notably safety systems, including a driver and front passenger airbag, ABS-EBD-BA brake assist, and rear parking sensors with a camera.
The car features electric windows, electric side mirrors, a 7-inch touchscreen, central door locking, side mirror indicators, a trip computer, and an encrypted remote key.
This Malaysian-assembled car in Egypt features entertainment features, most notably a CD/MP3 player with a radio connected to four speakers, a USB port and Bluetooth for connecting smartphones, and a 12V power outlet.
The Proton Saga retails for 630,000 Egyptian pounds, approximately $11,000, but the price is uncertain and may increase or decrease due to the flotation of the Egyptian pound.
The Proton factory in Egypt is a $50 million investment, aiming to assemble cars as a first phase, then move on to manufacturing car parts in subsequent phases. Proton, as a brand, has been present in Egypt for years.
Despite the presence of many new car dealerships in Egypt, the market is high and volatile due to the poor economic situation and the decline in the value of the Egyptian pound against the dollar.
The Proton Saga is neither a luxury nor a powerful car. It is a good car for comfortable transportation at an affordable price, suitable for most segments of Egyptian society.
