Hyundai in late 90's was garbage and worse than proton (compare old elantra with wira). But just look at them now, they are on par with the Japanese.

The only way proton will improve is to remove tax on foreign cars, that way proton will face a sure die situation and let the free market choose what is best. If more imported cars, then there will be more showrooms and more service centers opening up, the jobs will just go elsewhere, it's not the end of the world. just the end for proton