Two candidates have been identified as front-runners for the new top post at Proton replacing Tengku Mahaleel Ariff. They are Hicomobil Sdn Bhd’s chief executive officer Norzahid Mohd Zahudi and DRB-HICOM’s group director for services Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahim.
(L-R) Norzahid Mohd Zahudi, Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahim
Norzahid’s Profile:
Norzahid joined Proton as regional manager for Europe in 1993. He had also served the Malaysian Mining Corp, Protek Consultant Engineers Sdn Bhd and McDermott Engineering and later Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd.
He was a director and general manager of Trisilco Sdn Bhd where one of his tasks was to implement international marketing strategies for the company.
Rashid’s Profile:
Rashid was a former chief operating officer of DRB-Oriental-Honda Sdn Bhd and was instrumental in maintaining the market share of Honda cars in Malaysia.
Both of them seem to have good background in engineering and the automotive industry.
However, Proton chairman Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim also said there could be a possibility for a foreigner to be appointed as the CEO of Proton, as long as the CEO could understand what’s required for the company to make progress.
Source: The Star 1, The Star 2
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who's the candidate for a foreign CEO? frank steinleitner (head of daimlerchrysler malaysia) perhaps? carlos ghosn? william ford (ford motor company of US)? bob lutz (GM)? or call lee iacocca (chrysler) out of retirement?
Not expecting a foreigner. People in the company and the governemnt will feel insecure, I think. Hope the new guy will turn things around and make Proton a household name worth considering while planning to purchase a car. Hoping for high quality, attractive and cost effective Protons…
I think that the foreigner will guide proton to a better way…funny that I agrees with that but after 20 years of local management, it doesn't seems like proton did go anywhere….and with 20 years of taxing us for buying foreign car and to protect proton……it did not even penetrate through any country market.
Since foreigners were mentioned as possible candidates, we cannot brush the possibility. I see a lot of advantages of hiring a foreigner with good credential. They might know the right people in the industry and right strategy to turn around the company.Nevertheless, national pride is still an issue.
Well, local chap or a foreigner must get a full committed backing from the board which is what we will expect but the task here is like climbing Mount Everest with barehands and butt nakid.
I work with one of the tier 1 vendor for Proton, I know what is wrong in the overall..can one change the culture overnight?
Ghosen can do it because the japos have got the right frame of mind, they just needed some focus…..is Proton in the right frame of mind?
putting my two sen's worth (worth more now with the de-peg albeit miniscule) i would think that proton will still go the local way. all the new ceo has to do is ensure proton turns out quality products and make it a point to get a power window system that actually works.
mahaleel did well but the cars he launched under his watch did not suit the market despite the profits proton made. proton's profit also came from tax cuts and its initial start-up capital came from our tax money.
the market, to my mind, either wants people-movers for the family with kids plus maid or grandparents or the hatchbacks with automatic gear for city use.
the juara went nowhere, the arena is nothing, the savvy could compete if it was an automatic. and the waja is doing okay despite some power window problems.
so the new ceo has his or her task cut out. and going by sentiments, it will definitely be a local.
have u guys read the q&a by dr m on proton? it's quite funny…the old man still has got his wits despite recently turning 80. here are some gold nuggets:
Q: Did the chairman say who is going to replace Tengku Mahaleel?
A: He said something about headhunting, maybe he is from Sarawak, no name was mentioned.
Q: Do you see a foreigner running Proton?
A: Actually, Malaysians are not capable, therefore, we should get foreigners, including (for) running our country also… We can have a foreigner as a Prime Minister… why not, if he has the brains…?
Q: Rafidah wrote a letter to you?
A: Yes, she wrote a letter, wishing me Happy Birthday on my 80th birthday
Q: Did the board seek your advice before removing Tengku Mahaleel?
A: No, I was not consulted. My views were nothing. As an adviser, you advise only. People like your advice, they follow; if they don’ t like your advice, they don’t follow. We are not like the British advisers… where a decision will be made after an adviser gives his advice. As Malay advisers, you are told after the decision is made.
Hiya all,
I think, if Proton want to hire a foreigner as the CEO, the best candidate is Peter Sauber. Next candidate should be Ron Dennis. If they have enough fund they can ask Jean Todt to be the CEO. Flavio Briatore can also be shortlisted. Then we'll have an F1 technology introduced/injected into our national car project. Realize that only 20 lucky drivers drive the car (in one race minuse the 3rd driver). If Proton being injected with F1 feature then most of the Proton future owner will become part of the F1 population. Hmmm….. Why not?
well i think it still be our malaysian man to be CEO……….
you know they want us to wonder who is it…………
then the bookie can place bet onit…. he… he… he…
and sharfox…..pronton injected to F1… huargggg……. ha ….. ha….. ha….
nanti race sekali saja…. ' they ' batal the contract….
paul moss can be the next proton CEO…and Roslan Aziz is the adviser…than Proton will improve termendously…locally and globally…exterior and interior…n then lets voters vote….muahahahha