SHAH ALAM: Proton has announced the resignation of Datuk Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir as the group managing director.

The resignation takes effect from July 4 and came a day after the national car company said DRB-Hicom  would keep Proton subsidiary Lotus and confirmed its CEO had been suspended.

Proton said in a statement that Syed Zainal had decided to step down on his own accord.

Proton's chief financial officer, Azhar Othman, is also leaving, effective July 6.

The statement did not name a successor to Syed Zainal but said "Proton executive chairman Datuk Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil will continue his leadership role in steering the Company forward."

Syed Zainal has served Proton for over six years.

Since even before the DRB-Hicom takeover, rumours have been rife that Syed Zainal would leave the company.  As recently as last month, Proton had denied that he would do so.

On March 16, Proton had announced that Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh had resigned as its chairman and director.

The national auto maker said his resignation was part of a term stipulated in the sales and purchase agreement between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and DRB-Hicom.
Shah Alam, 24 May 2012 - The final recipient of the “My PROTON Makeover” program, Madam Lee Koon Gaik, had her newly refurbished Proton Saga Aeroback returned to her by PROTON’s Director of Group Marketing, Branding & Motorsports, John D. Chacko, at a jovial gathering at PROTON’s Centre of Excellence today.
As part of PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” promise, the car makeover program was developed to reward loyal and long standing customers of PROTON. Speaking on behalf of the national automotive manufacturer, Chacko was extremely pleased in witnessing the return of the sixth and final car to its owner.

“PROTON has worked unceasingly through the years in providing the best for our customers. We are really happy and encouraged by the many loyal customers that we have gained over the years” said Chacko. “Madam Lee’s love and trust in her Proton Saga is truly heartening, and this makeover is truly a gift and tribute to her for her devotion to the PROTON brand” Chacko added.

Madam Lee, 54 - from Seri Kembangan Selangor, was understandably very emotional when she handed over her Proton Saga Aeroback to PROTON for the makeover, as she had been driving it for almost 20 years. A gift from her husband way back in 1991, her car had been a trustworthy workhorse and companion, assisting her in caring for her ailing father, as well as seeing her sons to school, college and their early working life. A one-car owner, Madam Lee believes that her Saga Aeroback is a car for a lifetime, and her devotion was obvious when she decided not to participate in the government’s voluntary scrapping incentive in return for a new Proton car back in 2009.

Speaking on behalf of R3, PROTON’s motorsports arm that undertook the refurbishment work of the car, Head of Engineering, Tengku Djan Ley expressed the team’s honour to be able to be part of the programme that recognizes loyal PROTON owners, saying that the R3 team was also heartened by Madam Lee’s belief and trust in them.

“Understanding her driving patterns as she uses her car for her daily errands, we worked to give the car a more pleasurable drive. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt without adding any performance enhancements or modifications, with the exhaust system being tweaked to improve the car’s torque without making it loud and noisy,” said Tengku Djan.

“Considering that she does a considerable amount of town driving, the car’s suspension was upgraded, with the new parts and components installed to improve the ride comfort of the car. To improve the car’s stability, we went with 16-inch wheels which will enhance the car’s overall road holding ability” he added.

The R3 team maintained the Saga Aeroback’s classic look and feel, giving the exterior of the car a coat of metallic silver paint with gun metal highlights. Adding to that, pinstripes with R3’s signature red colour was added to give the car a fresh look. The car’s interior was redone as well to match the car’s exterior, being refreshed and upholstered in leather with red highlights.

Madam Lee was visibly moved when she received the keys to her refurbished car. “I have always maintained that this car would be sufficient to serve me a lifetime. Thank you PROTON for your commitment towards simple customers like me, going the extra mile to help me keep this car going. Your efforts and generosity will always be remembered!” she said.

“My PROTON Makeover”, in line with PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” promise, required submissions of personal and heart-warming stories involving contestants and their PROTON cars, with the best stories winning a complete car makeover

For more information about “My PROTON Makeover” and the cars that were worked on, visit www.protonvip.com or follow PROTON ONLINE SALES on www.facebook.com/Proton Online Sales
SUBANG JAYA: Amirul Azim, the fifth winner of the “My PROTON Makeover” program, recently received his newly refurbished 11-year old Proton Satria, which was handed over by PROTON’s Director of Group Marketing, Branding & Motorsports, John D. Chacko, and Head of Engineering at R3 unit, PROTON Motorsports Division, Tengku Djan Ley bin Tengku Mahaleel at PROTON’s Centre of Excellence.
As part of PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” initiative, the programme’s aim was to reward the national automotive manufacturer’s faithful customers with a unique car makeover.

“I am sure many Malaysians have witnessed the prowess of PROTON’s Motorsports Division at the recent POWER OF ONE event. Our commitment to being better does not end there and we want to continue to let our long standing customers know that our strength as a brand comes as a result of their loyalty. For that, we want to reward them and show our appreciation for their support,” said Chacko. “Amirul’s love for his Satria and faith in the PROTON brand is clear to us, and I am very happy that we are giving his car more years on the road,” he added.

Having owned the one car throughout his life, Petaling Jaya-born Amirul, who works for an IT management company, described his relationship with the Satria as one that has matured over the years. From his bachelor days, subsequently into marriage and now as a father of two, Amirul’s Satria has seen many miles with his daily commute to Cyberjaya and regular trips to Kuantan to visit his parents. He attests to being a very proud Proton owner and an avid car collector, albeit on a smaller scale, with a fondness for Hot Wheels die-cast toy cars.

In relating the work on the Proton Satria, Tengku Djan Ley of the R3 unit was very pleased with the results achieved by the team.

“When he handed his car over to us, Amirul expressed his admiration for PROTON and the work done by the R3 team. He mentioned his appreciation towards the Proton Satria Neo R3, so we decided to give his car a Fire Red body colour, along with a Satria GTI body kit and a limited edition R3 race splitter,” said Tengku Djan.

Elaborating further, Tengku Djan said that Amirul expressed his joy for fast driving, as well as his long-distance commuting. As such, in overhauling the car’s engine, tweaks were made to adjust to Amirul’s driving habits to enhance overall performance of his well-loved Satria. To ensure that the car is able to handle the added power, a coil-over system was installed to improve its handling, with the rear brakes being upgraded from drums to discs, giving the Satria better stopping power.

“With regards to the aesthetics, we gave the car’s interior a matching red theme, similar to that of the Satria Neo R3. Topping it off, we opted to give Amirul a set of 15-inch wheels, so that the acceleration of his 1.3 litre car will not be compromised. This is definitely an impressive package presented by the R3 team, not just with regards to performance and drivability, but also in its styling,” said Tengku Djan.

The car handover was a moment to remember for Amirul, who profusely thanked the R3 team during the ceremony. “This unforgettable gift from PROTON will forever be etched in my heart. The generosity, time and effort that PROTON has given to my car and to me are just immeasurable.”

“My PROTON Makeover”, in line with PROTON’s “Committed to Be Better” campaign, required submissions of personal and heart-warming stories involving contestants and their PROTON cars, with the best stories winning a complete car makeover.

For more information and updates on the progress of the cars, visit www.protonvip.com or follow PROTON ONLINE SALES on www.facebook.com/Proton Online Sales
Round 2 of the 2012 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) has ended, and the New Caledonia rally was won by Team MRF’s Gaurav Gill. The Indian driver’s teammate Chris Atkinson made it a 1-2 for the Skoda Fabia S2000 powered team. In third spot was Kiwi Brian Green in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Team Proton headed to the Pacific island with high hopes but failed to convert strong pace into strong results. APRC debutant PG Andersson led the rally from the start and set fastest times in three of the four special stages, but the second day saw the Swede’s car experience an abrupt loss of power as a result of a water crossing, a predicament that would later cost him to lose more than 14 minutes.

After a new head gasket at final service. Andersson’s final day fightback lasted only 6km before the engine stopped once again, this time for good.

Things didn’t go well in the other Proton, too. APRC defending champ Alister McRae retired in SS2 but continued on the final day under Super Rally format, winning three of the day’s six special stages to secure seven championship points. But he wasn’t eligible for a podium finish.

“We had hoped for a repeat of last year’s double podium results in New Caledonia but the reality of rallying is such that all the hardwork and preparation is never a guarantee of a strong finish,” said Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, Head of Proton Motorsports.

The next APRC round is the Rally of Queensland in late May. The Aussie rally will be the third of six rounds this season, and it’s vital for Proton to get back to winning ways Down Under if they are to prevent Team MRF from running away with their title. Still early days, though.

-Paultan
The second round of this year’s FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) will happen in New Caledonia this weekend. Defending champions Proton return to the Pacific island in search of their first win of the year, after finishing second and fourth in the opening rally in New Zealand.

The drivers in action are APRC reigning champion Alister McRae and Swedish driver PG Andersson – the latter is in his first full APRC season and will be competing in New Caledonia for the first time. Proton’s main rivals will once again be the Skoda Fabia S2000s of Team MRF.

As defending champion, McRae will again be in the unenviable position of having to start the rally first, clearing the road for the other drivers behind him.

“Winning the championship last year means I am first on the road on all the rounds this year and that was quite a disadvantage on the first round in New Zealand, but I don’t think it will be so much in New Caledonia. The rain is likely to have washed away much of the loose gravel from the surface before we got there and it’s possible that running at the front might even give us a small advantage,” said the optimistic Scot.

Teammate PG is ready to bounce back from the Kiwi bad luck which cost him an outright victory in the opening round. Comfortably setting fastest times en route to winning 11 of the 16 special stages in New Zealand, Andersson caught a puncture to surrender the lead. “One thing for sure is that I’m starting this event as I start every event – to win. I have never been to this rally before, so it’s always exciting to try some new roads,” he said.

Based in Noumea on Grande Terre, the largest island in New Caledonia, Rally New Caledonia moves through beautiful lush vegetation and farming plains, and will be contested over a competitive distance of 252.82 km covering 19 special stages.

-Paultan
Proton launches another Proton Platinum Showroom, this time it is in Jalan Ampang in KL. The Showroom was officiated by Proton Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir. The construction of the showroom began in June 2011 and was completed before the end of September last year.

Its architecture design is similar to that of Proton’s Platinum Showroom in Mutiara Damansara, PJ. Among the exterior features are the slanting façade and frameless glass walls. It also boasts a huge glass entrance, a spacious and comfortable customer lounge, dedicated discussion rooms, a pantry, restrooms and Surau.

This latest Platinum Showroom occupies 619 square metres and has an ample floor area to display six Proton models. The Showroom also features a dedicated covered car delivery area that fits two more cars.

The opening ceremony also saw the presentation of keys to the five early bird customers of the Prevé. Feroza Ghulam Sarwar, Ng Chee Thong, Ahamad Shahril Zainuddin and Zainal Abidin Sulaiman took delivery of a Prevé CVT Premium model while Nurhafizah Hamrun drove home her Metallic Blue Lagoon Prevé CVT Executive model.

The showroom’s opening also marks the conclusion of the five-day Proton Prevé Motorcade, which toured the country to share the excitement of the car company’s first global car.

-Paultan