The first generation Proton Saga is the first car to be produced by Malaysian automobile manufacturer, Proton. It is based on the 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore saloon as a result of a joint venture between the Malaysian government and Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. The Proton Saga was officially launched on 9 July 1985 by the former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad. It was initially available in a 4-door saloon guise, but was later complemented by a 5-door hatchback variant in 1987. The first generation Proton Saga was the longest reigning of all Proton cars, having been produced for 23 years until it was finally replaced by the second generation Proton Saga in early 2008. More than 1.2 million units of the first generation Proton Saga were sold, making it Proton's most successful of