Proton Tiara
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Proton Tiara
| image = Proton Tiara (front), Sungai Besi.jpg
| manufacturer = Proton
| aka = Citroën AX
| production = 1996–2000
| assembly = Malaysia: Pekan, Pahang (AMM){{cite web |author=Chips Yap |url=http://site.motortrader.com.my/Cars/Forums/f148/fp22/t934662/How-many-assembly-plants-in-Malaysia-.aspx |title=How many assembly plants in Malaysia? |publisher=motortrader.com.my |date=29 September 2007 |accessdate=30 May 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530084420/http://site.motortrader.com.my/Cars/Forums/f148/fp22/t934662/How-many-assembly-plants-in-Malaysia-.aspx |archivedate=30 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}
| class = Supermini
| body_style = 5-door hatchback
| wheelbase = {{convert|2290|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3525|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1555|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1355|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|780|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| sp = uk
| transmission = 5-speed manual
| layout = Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
| successor = Proton Savvy
}}
The Proton Tiara is a Malaysian automobile based on the Citroën AX,{{Cite web|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170611162641/https://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/citroens-ax-factor-35809509.html | url = https://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/citroens-ax-factor-35809509.html | title = Citroen's AX factor|website=Independent.ie| first = Brian | last = Twomey | date = 2017-06-11 | language=en|archive-date = 2017-06-11 }} built under licence by the automobile manufacturer Proton between 1996 and 2000.
History
File:Proton Tiara (rear), Kuala Lumpur.jpg
The genesis of the Tiara was the result of an agreement during the mid 1990s, between Proton's then CEO, Yahaya Ahmad, and PSA Peugeot Citroën, a producer of Citroën and Peugeot vehicles. Yahaya had expressed wishes that Proton did not use Mitsubishi platforms, and that Proton cooperated with PSA Peugeot Citroën for access to its diesel engines.
In April 1996, Proton began a separate joint venture with PSA to build the Tiara called USPD (Usahasama Proton DRB Sdn. Bhd.).{{cite journal | title = Policies towards automobile industries in Southeast Asia | last = Komura | first = Chikara | journal = Dreams and Dilemmas: Economic Friction and Dispute Resolution in the Asia-Pacific | editor1-first = Kōichi | editor1-last = Hamada | editor2-first = Mitsuo | editor2-last = Matsushita | editor3-first = Chikara | editor3-last = Kōmura | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jISW18pPeqoC&pg=PA187 | publisher = Seikei University Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, Japan | location = Singapore | year = 2000 | isbn = 981-230-069-4 | page = 187 }}
Yahaya Ahmad was killed in a helicopter crash in 1997, and Proton returned to using recycled Mitsubishi based platforms and parts and developed in-house designed models later. Production of the Tiara ceased in 2000, due to low sales volume; in June 2005, the Proton Savvy was launched, as an indirect successor to the Proton Tiara or Citroën AX.
Design and market
The appearance of the Tiara mimicked that of more powerful Citroën AXs, such as the AX GT, but the grille was restyled to match the existing Saga and Wira models. Other cosmetic differences included different bumpers and taillight clusters. It was only available with a 1.1 litre {{Convert|45|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} engine, paired with a five speed manual.
The Tiara sold in two variants, the material coloured bumper 1.1 GL and full body paint 1.1 GLi, and came with six colour options; silver, red, royal blue, dark green, greenish blue and grey. The Proton Tiara was sold only in the Malaysian market, as the license restricted Proton from exporting the car.
Sales
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Malaysia{{Cite web |title=Proton Tiara : Popularity over the Years |url=https://data.gov.my/dashboard/car-popularity |website=data.gov.my}}{{efn-lr|Figures based on registration}} |
| 2000
|1,779 |
| 2001
|11 |
| 2002
|4 |
{{notelist-lr}}
References
{{reflist}}{{Proton}}{{Proton vehicles}}
{{commons category|Proton Tiara}}
Category:Cars introduced in 1996