IRIZ-ACTIVE-TUNM-1

Proton has said that it will focus on the domestic market for six months where sales of the new Iriz is concerned. However, Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has stated that the United Kingdom will be the first country that the Proton Iriz will be introduced to outside of Malaysia.

Proton is currently in the midst of engineering cars for the European market, where left-hand drive will be required as well as a host of other features necessary for approval. Recently, Proton previewed the Iriz Active concept with the ADAS system - an autonomous braking system.

This feature could be included in versions for the export market as EU road safety legislation will require cars to have autonomous braking systems in the near future in order to qualify for a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, vehicles will have to include the aforementioned feature when the legislation gets enforced.

As for the Australian market, Proton chief operating officer Kaye Aimes told CarAdvice that the local division would "dearly love" to introduce the Iriz. Proton executives are already headed for Australia in the coming weeks to assess the local market and come to a decision.

Should everything run smoothly, the Iriz would be introduced into the Australian market by the second quarter of 2015.