KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Preve and Suprima S has been awarded a five-star ratings in the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).

The announcement of the awards was made by Asean NCAP at the Phase III Result Launch 2014 in Malacca, which was also held in conjunction with the 2014 Global NCAP Forum in Melbourne, said Proton in a statement.

Proton chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said Proton's drive to change the public perception about the brand and quality of Proton cars was reinforced by the latest achievement.

 "As we have reiterated time and time again, our models are not just affordable but more importantly we want our customers to know that our products are of international quality and standards," he said.

Abdul Harith also said out of the 12 cars tested for Asean NCAP safety standards during Phase III, Proton came in a close second in the results.

 "The well-being, comfort and safety of our customers when driving Proton cars has always been, and continue to be our top priority. So when the Proton Preve and Proton Suprima S were developed, we challenged ourselves to produce a car with high safety standards." - Bernama 
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.  
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)