PHP Motor Fest: ‘Proton Saga’ draws attention

The three-day-long "PHP Motor Fest 2019" in Chattogram took a livelier turn on the second day on Friday as the festival became a converging place for automobile enthusiasts.

PHP's locally assembled "Proton Saga" drew attention from visitors and potential buyers. The Sedan sold for less than Tk15 lakh. The company also launched two new models of motorcycles named "Thunder Bird" and "Commando" for the festival.

PHP is giving 30 percent discount on their "Preve 1516" model. The price of the car is Tk24.5 lakh, with a 36-month instalment payment without interest facility.

Other than PHP's own motor vehicles, automobiles from other brands are also available in the festival. European and Chinese brands such as Benelli, Keeway and Haval are showcasing their motor vehicles in the fest and giving out special discount offers for the duration of the festival.

Chinese brand "Haval" has launched three luxurious cars for the fest, with free registration and discount offers during the festival.

Interested individuals and prospective buyers were seen inquiring the sales representatives about price, millage, fuel efficiency and engine specifications of various motor vehicles.

Mostakim Hridoy, currently working for a private bank, came to the fest to inquire about cars. Recently he has been planning to buy a car.

"No company could start car production in the country in the last 50 years. I learned from the motor fest that a local company is assembling and selling cars. This is undoubtedly a good initiative," said Mostakim.

Motorbike enthusiast Mahfuzur Rahman was seen eying the 160CC (cubic centimetre) "Thunderbird" motorbike. He said, "The design of the bike is unique and attractive but price is higher."

Businessman Amjad Hossain was interested in the new "Proton Saga" by PHP. "The design is unique and price is within affordability," he said. 

Bikers crowded the Benelli and Keeway exhibitions in the fest. 

"A minimum of Tk5,000 will be given in discount on purchase of any bike," stated manager of the exhibition Tushar Ahmed.

Head of marketing and sales for PHP Automobiles Md Misbah Uddin Atik said, "Visitors are more interested in the newly launched motorcycles. Other than that, the 'Proton Saga' also has drawn attention. We are getting positive feedbacks."

Dutch Bangla Bank Limited has set up a stall in the motor festival to offer car loan facilities.

"Most of the privately-owned cars in our country are bought second hand. Repair parts are easily available and less costly, so people want to buy those. However, new cars last longer than the old ones. There is no alternative to motor festivals when it comes to educating the buyers about this," said Akhtar Parvez Chowdhury, managing director of PHP Automobiles.

The fest will pull the curtains on Saturday. Entrance fee is for the exhibition is Tk50. The festival kicked off on Thursday at Chattogram's GEC Convention Centre. This year's event marks the third edition of the automobile festival hosted by the Chattogram based conglomerate.