It would seem that national carmaker Proton Holdings needs a good public relations firm to handle its affairs. I mean, what would the average German think about all the statements being made by Malaysian officials on the carmaker's future?

The Malaysian government wants out of an economic mess - which is why Khazanah Nasional (which owns 42 per cent of Proton) has been talking to Volkswagen with a view to selling the carmaker.

But ever since the rumblings about the so-called stalled talks between Volkswagen and Proton, there have been various statements - from the perplexing to the bizarre - about the carmaker from well-nigh everyone except Khazanah Nasional.

Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamad Yakcop said before the talks stalled that Proton was 'evaluating all its options'. Then Deputy Premier Najib Razak said that missing the March 31 deadline (for completion of the negotiations) was 'not important'.

Then news of the stalled talks broke, which prompted a rejoinder from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He first said he would meet the top brass of Volkswagen, then later expressed frustration at the lack of a meeting when no date had been officially set.

One would at least think that the decision to sell Proton to a foreign party had been made, maybe even cast in stone. Again, not really.

Two weeks ago, Proton adviser and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad criticised selling Proton to a foreign party because 'then it would no longer be a national car'. His solution: bring back the old management.

Amid all the verbiage, the management of Proton itself has kept mum except for the occasional - and bewildering - statement about the company forging yet another 'alliance' with some carmaker in China or elsewhere.

What is the ordinary Volkswagen or General Motors executive to make of all this? Khazanah should take a leaf out of Volkswagen's book: no one makes statements about the company except its press office, which speaks with one voice.

Time's running out

Khazanah cannot afford to be coy about it as time is running out for Proton. It continues to bleed - and that haemorrhage is beginning to affect the whole industry.

Consider the statistics. According to industry officials, there is an estimated RM12 billion (S$5.3 billion) worth of unsold used cars in the country and Proton dealers may be the most affected. Seven out of ten are losing money and they are all looking to the government for help.

Meanwhile, the dealers claim that the banks are classifying loans for Proton cars as 'high risk' and with a 'high rejection rate'. All Proton's chickens, it would seem, are coming home to roost at the same time.

The inescapable fact is that the national car needs a saviour. For too long, it has been the government and the Malaysian consumer; now, the latter have choices and they are deserting Proton in droves. And if that trend continues, who will then say it continues to be a 'national' car? It's time to set aside pride and woo suitors - not repel them.