PROTON Holdings Berhad (“PROTON”) today announced the appointment of Jean-Marc Gales as the new Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, effective 1 May 2014. Lotus is a wholly owned subsidiary of PROTON and a member of the DRB-HICOM Group.

A known industry player, Gales has held several significant positions with numerous global automotive manufacturers. Prior to his new appointment at Lotus, Gales was Chief Executive Officer of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (“CLEPA”) since 2012, where he played a key role in turning around the association through various strategic initiatives, including streamlining the working processes and increasing corporate members from 82 to 112. Gales also established a lobbying strategy with the European Parliament and European Commission, and helped define the Industry Research & Innovation Strategy and Roadmap for 2025.

Before joining CLEPA, Gales was the President of Automobiles Citroen and Automobiles Peugeot between 2009 to 2012, where he restructured the entire sales value chain and implemented a new brand strategy for the DS Line and introduced the Citroen DS in major markets around the world. During his tenure there, the Company delivered record retail sales in 2009 and 2010.

Gales' other previous appointments include several senior positions in Daimler AG, General Motors and Volkswagen AG.

Aslam Farikullah, current Chief Operating Officer of Group Lotus plc, remains as Member of the Board of Lotus Cars Limited and will continue to contribute to the growth of the business in the future.

PROTON Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah is pleased to welcome Gales to the Group. "This is an exciting time for Lotus, and Jean-Marc's appointment could not have come at a more appropriate time, especially taking into account our plans for Lotus. We believe that with his strong technical and managerial expertise and leadership, Jean-Marc will be able to drive the Lotus transformation plan and further enhance Lotus' business and capabilities.”

Jean-Marc Gales is married and has one daughter.

Jean-Marc Gales

Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah
PETALING JAYA: Proton, which confirmed Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah as its chief executive officer, will be overhauled.

“We want to make cars people want,” said Proton chairman Tan Sri Khamil Mohd Jamil.

In speaking broadly about Proton, Khamil hinted that part of the revamp would continue to focus on improving car quality and safety.

Khamil said that over the past two years since DRB-Hicom Bhd took control of beleagured Proton, much effort had been spent on lifting the quality of the cars it made by cutting down on defects and improving safety.

Since then, car buyers have voiced fewer complaints about Proton cars, said Khamil.

He said because of the longstanding negative public perception, Proton is open to suggestions from the public on how it should improve itself.

“We will be working towards changing the perception of Proton to one where Proton is a good car and, change the minds and hearts of the public towards our cars.”

Khamil said the management team would review products, quality, cost, delivery and safety.

He said Proton would continue to export its cars amid a landscape that is seeing increasing competition.

Khamil said Proton had no choice but to make the cars it sells affordable and competitive.

“It will be a holistic plan that will look at products and markets. We ... also cannot ignore China,” he said.

“Proton needs to prove it can compete with international OEMs (original equipment manufacturers),” he said after a ceremony to send two graduates from its International College of Automotive (ICAM) to a Volkswagen plant in Portugal for training.

Khamil said future ICAM graduates would also be sent for overseas training at plants of its other partners in Japan and Europe.

He said the company hoped the graduates would return with the knowledge and experience and share them with other workers in DRB-Hicom’s plant in Pekan.

“It’s a good milestone for students at ICAM and they will be exposed to international standards,” he said.

ICAM is working towards achieveing university status by the end of the year.

Khamil, in response to backlash over a report that questioned why Malaysians were not supportive of Proton, said the company was appreciative of public support and would strive to make cars that Malaysians actually wanted.

“Those comments were taken out of context. We are appreciative of support from the public, without which Proton will not be where it is now,” he said.  
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed delivering his speech during the opening of the Lotus 4S Centre, Beijing.
PETALING JAYA: Lotus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton), opened its first 4S Centre in Beijing, China in an event officiated by Proton advisor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Also present were Tan Sri Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, the executive chairman of Proton and chairman of Group Lotus, as well as Aslam Farikullah, chief officer of Group Lotus.

According to Aslam, China has been at the forefront of global economic development and consequently there has been a growing trend of international car brands taking an interest in China by opening factories and dealerships, “China’s growth has not only opened the eyes of the international business community, but it has also inspired us to open this new Lotus 4S Centre.”

The Centre sits on a foot-print of approximately 1,000 sq m over four floors at the Golden Port Motor Park in Beijing.

The Centre is set to offer a complete Lotus experience with a showroom and a comprehensive service centre, where owners will be able to service, and obtain spare parts for their Lotus cars.

The one stop centre also houses an administrative office, merchandise retail corner, customers lounge and a training centre.

The building also comes with a complete customer service experience as it houses a club house for Lotus owners with a member’s lounge, and other amenities.

Lotus currently has eight dealerships in China, including in major parts of the country like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Dalian among others. Lotus models that are currently made available to the China market are the Evora S IPS, the Exige S240 and S260 as well as the Elise CR.

Khamil (left), chairman of DRB-HICOM presenting a gift to Mahathir.
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