Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has revealed that the next Proton model, expected to be the P2-30A Global Small Car, will be priced higher than expected to account for better quality.

According to Bernama, the former prime minister claims that customers are expecting Proton to make advancements in quality, and that the company has spent a lot of money to make sure that the best materials are being used.

"The new model was expected to be cheaper compared to other models in the same segment, because that is what a Proton is supposed to be," Mahathir said. "However, the prices have to be raised a little because customers are paying for something better."

As reported earlier, Mahathir also said that the new model, which was claimed to have cost the national manufacturer some RM300 million to develop, will be unveiled before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the company's CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said that Proton is striving to create more new models, and that it is planning to launch a new car every year to ensure the company's continued survival.