[10] Mahathir actively encouraged the development of heavy industries in Malaysia as part of a long-term vision for self-sufficiency and progress.

By the dawn of the 1980s, the Malaysian government concluded that direct involvement was necessary to reverse losses and spur future industrial growth.

The National Car Project was approved in 1982, with the objective of accelerating technology transfer, increasing and rationalising local content, and involving more Malay entrepreneurs in the then largely ethnic Chinese dominated Malaysian automotive industry.

The first known Proton Saga to roll off the production line in Shah Alam is preserved at the Muzium Negara as a symbol of the beginning of the Malaysian automotive industry.

Proton attempted to sell the Saga in the United States with the help of American automotive entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin.

[15] The attempt to export the Saga to the United States angered Mitsubishi; it is believed that they intervened to sink the Bricklin deal as they didn't want a lower-priced, lower quality clone of one of their own vehicles as a competitor in what was then considered the world's most important car market.

It shared the same 1.5 L engine found in the saloon variant, but featured a redesigned rear end which is unique to Proton.

The Magma suffix denotes the updated engine, and the Magma-powered Saga can be differentiated from the original Orion II-powered models by its slightly different front grille design and the inclusion of bumper protector mouldings.

[19] Proton managed to launch the Saga in Ireland before the United Kingdom as only minimal changes and modifications were necessary to pass Irish automotive and safety regulations.

[19] In October 1988, the Proton Saga made its English debut at the 1988 British International Motorshow, where it won three Prestigious Awards (two gold medals and one silver) for quality coachwork and ergonomics.

It was only available in one shade of color called majorca black with the Aeroback body style, featuring a 1.5L 8V Magma engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.

All U.K.-market models were equipped with the original Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore dashboard and rear reflector lamps to pass U.K. safety regulations.

Britain also received many limited edition models such as the Proton Puma, Lynx, Emerald, Prism and SE Le Mans, which featured higher trim levels and unique equipment.

[22] Proton later set the record for the 'Fastest selling make of new car ever to enter the United Kingdom', exceeding their 12-month sales target within 6 months.

[24] The process included various quality, safety and emissions tests and over 400 modifications where necessary, as well as a 1,000 mile-trial on British roads and weather conditions.

In addition to the updated engines, the Proton Saga Megavalve was also fitted with a new front grille, wrap-around bumper protector moulding and two new exterior colours, namely maroon and green, as well as several minor changes on the interior.

It is 25 percent longer than the regular Saga saloon, and features a built-in freezer, in-car entertainment system and a television.

The Iswara features a new grille, slimmer headlights, grooved taillight clusters, plastic bumpers and side mouldings.

However, models exported to Singapore and the United Kingdom were fitted with Mitsubishi's ECI Multi fuel injection system and a catalytic converter to meet Euro I emission standards.

It features a large number of cosmetic enhancements, including a new front grille, headlights, 'Altezza lights', body kit, rear lip spoilers and 14-inch alloy rims among others.

Despite sharing the same, ageing platform with the original Proton Saga from 1985, the Saga LMST featured a completely redesigned interior, with a new dashboard, instrument panel and meter cluster which offered a digital display consisting of an odometer, a fuel gauge and a temperature gauge.

The Saga LMST was sold in two trim lines, one with power steering and one without, as well as an option for the 14-inch alloy rims from the Iswara S.E.

[32] The LMST was not equipped with airbags or ABS, and was sold in four colours; red, dark blue, grey and black.

[38] The Saga LMST received mainly cosmetic changes, namely a new Clarion integrated radio & CD player, meter cluster and redesigned air conditioner vents on the interior as well as a unique front grille, 14-inch steel rims with hubcaps and chromed head & taillights on the exterior.

The cheaper non-power steering variant was equipped with 13-inch steel rims & hubcaps, a cassette player and the exhaust manifold from the 2003 Saga LMST instead.

The power-steering variant came with a choice of two paint options, namely orange and black whereas the non-power steering model was only sold in silver.

It is almost identical to the 2006 Saga LMST, with the only visible differences being the reduced exhaust pipe diameter and slightly altered rear lamps.