of course proton is smart. Malaysian market is different from Aussie or other country. safety is not much of a concern for most of their customers here. cars are overpriced here. proton's products are high in cost. how to remain competitive?
1. brandname = elek
2. performance = elek
3. quality(in cosumer's view and in reality to a certain extent) = elek
4. advance features = elek
5. low price = WIN
how to remain low in price when the cost is so damn high? reduce safety features. things that the poorer malaysians couldn't care less. they just need a ride. couldn't afford any better.

Is different in Aussie market. they won't be able to sell a single car if they skimp on those safety features. other brand cars have all those features with almost the same price.
5-star NCAP. so what? that's not the only thing people look at when buying a car. especially at the same price range/segment. it is more like a minimum requirement when the playing field is level, like over at Aussie.

you are precisely right my dear sir. I'm the typical poor Malaysian that can only afford a proton with minimum safety features.
tell me. what new car that can fit a family of 4 with 5-star NCAP can I buy for 50k and below?

safety do comes first of course. instead of relying on those expensive gadgets that I can't afford, I just have to realise that i'm driving a tin can and I have to be extra careful on the road.

of course the other manufacturers have to sell their cars at low safety specs here. they have to lower their cost while remaining profitable/competitive. thanks to the high cost of cars. thanks to our government's policy to protect a certain car manufacturer here.

now, which part of high cost do you not understand?

I certainly have an idea of how profitable the non-local manufacturers are. are you implying that they are making less profit in other country? selling their cars with full specs while making less profit than what they're making in Malaysia?