If it looks like a Mitsubishi Lancer and sounds like a Mitsubishi Lancer...it's a Mitsubishi Lancer!

That's right people. It's time to celebrate in style. The national car company Proton just released it's latest model. The Inspira. Which is 100% Malaysian. Malaysia Boleh! It's a slam dunk. Goodbye and Goodnight.

Erm...not exactly. Actually it looks a bit like the Mitsubishi Lancer. Well...to be honest it looks A LOT like the Mitsubishi Lancer. Sigh...it's a Mitsubishi Lancer. That has been "Protonized". Of course this isn't exactly a state secret. And I'm not the first blogger to raise this point. That the latest offering from Proton is nothing more than a rebadge.

Of course when it comes to rebadging Proton isn't the only offender. Everyone knows that Naza cars are just Kia's. And that Perodua cars are now just rebadged Daihatsu and Toyota models.

I have to admit that the Inspira is a beautiful car. If the Lancer didn't exist. It is a shame that Proton didn't decide to design a car form the ground up. But it's a recession. And Proton doesn't want to spend the money. Or maybe it just doesn't have it. Instead Proton decided to get "inspired" by the Lancer. And that's how we got the Inspira. I guess sometimes Malaysia Can't. On a side note whatever did happen to the Malaysian Space Program or the plans to build the other very tall building in KL?. It seems anything is possible as long as we use the taxpayers money.

And so like the Vichy French, Proton has become a collaborator. Mitsubishi is happy of course. They still make the money without having to work as hard. While Proton is busy trying to sell a touched up Lancer Mitsubishi can concentrate on its latest car. And let's not forget that Proton still has to "collaborate" the profits with Mitsubishi.

There is a segment of Malaysians who defend Protons actions. They argue it doesn't make sense for Proton to spend large sums of money to design and produce it's own model during a recession. They also point out that the Rakyat get a Lancer at a reduced price. It is a win-win situation.

I would argue that the whole purpose of having Proton was to build a national brand, to build a national car. A car that low and middle income families can afford. Unfortunately, Proton for the past 25 years has been manufacturing sub-standard cars for the Malaysian market. And if after 25 years all we end up doing is rebadging cars then maybe we should pack it in.

The corrupt (allegedly) polygamist (confirmed) MP from Kinabatangan a.k.a Bung Mokhtar Radin caused quite a stir when he suggested just that. It's not everyday I find myself agreeing with a politician. Especially a Malaysian one.

If you must get a Inspira you would be wise to buy one quick while it still has its Japanese reliability. Sources vary but it is said that 20%-40% of the car parts are local. Soon it will be 100%. And then your windows won't work.

Or maybe you could get your hands on an Inspira sold abroad. Proton cars that are sold in Europe are BETTER, SAFER, and CHEAPER. If you do get an Inspira you could always just re-rebadge it and replace the Proton logo with Mitsubishi ones. Two can play at that game.

Look on the bright side. Maybe now Proton might get a favourable review from the boys on Top Gear. Hopefully they won't realize it's a rebadge. Oh God...it's going to be a disaster.

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On a side note I've designed a new type of iPhone incorporating the best of Malaysian technologies. And other stuff. If you're interested in buying one let me know. Buy Malaysian if you're a Patriot! If you're not it doesn't really matter. Some people would say it's an Apple iphone...well they're a bloody bunch of liars. Just look at the logo. It's a Durian iPhone not an Apple iPhone.