Save thousands in the small car price war

There are many big discounts available for buyers of small cars at the moment.

The sharpest knife is from Proton, whose Preve sedan is now the cheapest subcompact car in the country. Proton general manager of marketing Billy Falconer says the cut, which is 15% off the original price, is in response to aggressive price cuts by competitors.

On the other hand, the annual maintenance cost for 15,000 km is now capped for the first five years or 75,000 km rather than free maintenance as before. “To compete with all of these offerings, we’ve slashed the price of the Preve lineup, starting with a manual transmission at just $US 15,990, and Preve with an automatic CVT starting at $US 17,990,XNUMX for a limited time only,” says Falconer.

Preve is the first Proton to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating and come with a five-year warranty. The Malaysian brand is betting on enhanced safety and functionality – all Preve models feature 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and steering wheel-mounted audio and phone controls – to boost sales.

The company sold just 856 vehicles last year and has been behind that number since the start of the year, having sold 353 vehicles by July. A new sunroof and vehicle - both built to Proton's improved safety standards - are inevitable.

The Ford Focus Ambiente is - for now - just $18,990 on the road, including free service for the first three annual inspections at 15,000 km. Mazda's $19,990 Neo deal includes a four-year warranty and three years of roadside assistance. Mitsubishi Lancer ES with front and rear spoilers, side skirts and alloy wheels is available for $19,990 before the end of the month.

PRICE WAR

Model                                November 2012     Now

Citroen C4 22,990 $ 20,990 XNUMX XNUMX $

Ford Focus $20,290 $18,990*

Holden Cruz $21,490 $19,490

Mazda3 $20,330 $19,990*

Proton Preve $18,990* $15,990*

Mitsubishi Lancer 19,990 $ 19,990 XNUMX XNUMX $ *

*indicates the cost of departure