Proton Chancellor - 惨死了?

Ever since I saw the advertisements of Proton Chancellor in the newsprint, I've been wondering which group of consumers is Proton targeting. Businessmen who own SME perhaps?

Anyway, I chanced upon an entry in Brand New Malaysian and Screenshots respectively today. It was published in a Chinese daily that Chancellor could be translated into Chinese as something which resonates 惨死了- died tragically.

Just to share my own experience on car naming. I've been given some translation work in London to ensure the lists of names thought up by auto companies are suitable for the Malaysian market. Among the criteria I used was to make sure the names do not sound like something negative in either Malay of Chinese. I don't speak Tamil, so I wouldn't be able to provide my input there. I was paid GBP20 for screening through each list which comprised of roughly 50 names. A small price to pay to ensure car models sound right especially in the region it would be sold.

Wonder what went wrong in the process of naming Chancellor? Have they overlooked the fact that many ethnic Chinese in this country have likings and phobia over homonyms?

The Chancellor is not an interesting model anyway. It's just a stretched Waja at double the price tag. I doubt that Proton will be able to sell that many. Another flop on the way.

Proton: What next?

Looks like the series of blunders have not ended for Proton...

In the latest news, Volkswagon (VW) AG has scrapped plans to cooperate with Proton Holdings Bhd to build and sell VW brand cars for the local market, after the two companies have started talks since 2004.

This came just after the controversial sale of MV Augusta for a mere 1 Euro few weeks back.

"Unfortunately the Malaysian government, Khazanah (Nasional Bhd) and Proton had different ideas, " VW Chief Executive told investors gathered in Michigan.

Arising from this adverse development, Proton share price fell as much as RM1.25 to RM5.10 in early trade before it ended the morning session at RM5.65, down 70 sen.

The future looks bleak for our first national car maker... How will this impact on our National Auto Policy?


Quote from a member of Paul Tan's auto blog.

"National Car Policy killed National Auto Policy

Congrats to Malaysia! The first country to close down a bakery for a loaf of bread. "

ASTRO!

I was very excited with my new ASTRO subscription since last Friday. Finally I will get to watch Man Utd matches on tele!

Anyway, managed my first match early this morning. Quite unfortunately the game was a late one - 4am! On the other hand it's Arsenal hosting Man Utd...

In order not to over stretch myself, I decided only to watch the second half, but I did manage to capture the last few minutes of the first half. Still ruing for that miss by Ronaldo. He should have produced a better finishing.

The second half saw United creating many chances but unfortunately none of them translated into goals. In the end both arch rivals had to settle for a goalless draw. This game could have been a crucial match two years back. But now it seems more like an ordinary one as the both teams no longer pose a threat to Chelsea's 13 point lead at the top of the table.

Back to my ASTRO subscription. I am subscribing to 3 mini packages - News, Sports and Documentary, plus Dynasty, for Johanna to watch her favourite soaps. This also means a monthly commitment of RM85... sob sob... extra burden to our monthly expenditure.

We are also getting a new 29 inch Philips TV for our bedroom, on top of the bed and mirror we have just purchased last week, together with a splash of new paint for the bedroom walls. Many things have been going on in the house, same goes to our $$$. Hope 2006 will bring better fortune.

Snooker: Ding Jun Hai won the British Championship Title

I've been expecting Ding Jun Hui to be one of the top snooker players in the world. He certainly proved himself earlier than I've expected. Must be a great experience beating Steve Davis in the final to clinch the title.

Hope he'll achieve more in coming years and surpass James Wattana as the best Asian snooker player.

Lover gives stranger $15,000 ring

It must have been a great pain to give up something so special...

A disappointed lover in the US has left a $15,000 (£8,500) diamond engagement ring in a stranger's unlocked car, accompanied by a heartfelt message.

"Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now," read the note.

The car's owner, from Westborough, 48km (30 miles) west of Boston, told police about his find after having it valued.

"This appears to be random, but we don't really know," police Lt Paul Donnelly told local media.

The three diamond white gold ring enclosed in a box with a white bow was placed in the car which was parked at the train station in Westborough, Massachusetts.

The anonymous message read: "Merry Christmas. Thank you for leaving your car door unlocked. Instead of stealing your car I gave you a present.

"Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now. Merry Christmas to you."

Ear squats

Until today I am still wondering why is there a need for ear-squats in order to eject objects hidden in body's orifices during a strip search?

To me it seems more like abuse of power. There are already enough talks about our police force being corrupted when it comes to ringgit and sen. Recent incidents seems to indicate that the force is equally as corrupted when it comes to power.

Some have argued that there is a need of substantial pay increase to the force in order to curb the problems of corruption. To certain extent this measure might help to reduce corruption. However, I still believe that the lack of transparency is the root of these problems, and it does not only apply to the police force, but to the way many things are done in our beloved country. The lack of transparency has yielded certain parties too much power and without transparency, check and balance could not exist.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. "
- Lord Acton

Drive-through toll collection by 2008

Motorists will be able to travel on expressways without having to stop to pay toll, when the gantry toll collection system is implemented.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that under the system, used in countries like France and Australia, the start and end of the journey would be electronically recorded when a motorist passed under a gantry.

“Payment would automatically be deducted through a prepaid card kept in the vehicle,” he added.

The system will be introduced in the Klang Valley first and motorists can look forward to uninterrupted travel by 2008. In other parts of the country, it would be introduced in stages.

Finally we're going to enjoy less traffic jams on the roads. Erm... Are we?

I've been telling some of my friends about this technology adopted by our 'friendly neighbour' since a few years' back. I told them I couldn't understand why Singapore could use this wonderful technology on their highways and yet we in Malaysia still need toll booths which are the major contributors to traffic woes. Perhaps the government needs to win elections by creating more jobs?

Interestingly Samy Vellu failed to name our closest neighbour as one of the countries to use this drive thru toll collection system.

Furthermore 2008 seems still quite far away. I wonder what kind of new technology our neighbour will be using by then?

Peeping Tom's diary

Unfortunately I'm only peeping on a family of cats.

My tenant, Alex, spotted this group of felines lazying at the backlane of my house while preparing food in the kitchen.

Cute eh? Sometimes taking photos like these can really brighten up one's day, at least it applies to me.

World Cup Draw

What a sad week it is... For the first time in many years Manchester United won't be featuring in Europe (not even UEFA Cup) post Christmas. I could imagine the football withdrawal syndrom some of us are going to suffer for many months after this.

Enough about the miserable news. At least there's World Cup 2006 to look forward to.

The World Cup draw on Friday was really strange. Many teams which were in the same group in the past World Cup are meeting one another again. The strangest one being England and Sweden (Eriksson is in dilemma again!)

Things are looking good for England. Brazil, Germany, Portugal and Spain will be having a great time in their respective groups, while Argentina's fans should better pray that their team will get through from the group touted as the 'group of death'.

I think Brazil will win the Cup again if Ronaldinho is not injured or anything. England will probably progress to the quarters or probably semis. Just don't see the consistency in the current England team. It will be interesting to look at the odds from the bookmakers as the World Cup draws nearer.

P/S: Just realised I have missed the news on Arsenal's second league loss in a row. Something to cheer me up at least. I'm also a voyeur like Arsene Wenger. Hee hee... But when will it be Chelsea's turn? I don't want to see Fergie leaving United at the end of the season.

Syabas Nicol!

Nicol David, the Duracell Bunny in the squash world, is finally World No. 1!

Many congratulations for your achievements Nicol! This is really a great year for you. Hope that you could be World No. 1 for a long long time.

This is the real Malaysia Boleh example. I hope the sports ministry will recognise Nicol's great feat.

But what about Karamjit Singh?

[ picture from http://www.sitesquash.com/ ]