Let’s have a look at the designs Proton has registered with the UK Patent Office. I think it will give us an indicator on the SRM’s interior looks, of which no one has been able to get a good interior shot so far. Click here to read the rest of Proton’s Design Patents with the UK Patent Office
Dr. M has spoken up again on the issue of his brainchild Proton’s recent two quarterly losses in a row.
“I am surprised that a company which was doing well suddenly reports losses (RM158 million pre-tax loss). It is difficult to believe that it was because they purchased (motorcycle manufacturer) Agusta. If Agusta had debts, then the purchase price would have been lower. Why did Proton buy it for a higher price? There must be a mystery here and we have to get to the bottom of it. But as I have said before, be prepared for more bad news from Proton.”
I’m not sure if Dr. M really knows what goes on in the directors meeting room at Proton, and he himself has said as an Advisor he is usually only consulted after making management decisions and not before. So we don’t really know if his statements carry any weight. Let’s wait and see.
Source: Bernama
Proton Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir gave some insights on his first steps to turn around loss-making Proton when his appointment as Proton MD takes effect on January 1 2006 for a 3-year period contract.
Syed Zainal had this to say:
“I believe in Proton with a passion and it is this passion that will drive us to make a greater push into selected export markets, while at home we will work doubly hard to defend Protons standing in the domestic market as Malaysias number one brand. We cannot be complacent like what we have done before. We really have to rejuvenate and go forward, and that means a lot of hard work. The basic housekeeping must be done. We have to have teamwork and be transparent.”
Proton has named the successor to Tengku Mahaleel. With the title of Managing Director, Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, 43 years old this year, will take over the helm of Proton and steer it into the AFTA era. Syed Zainal is currently executive director of Perodua’s manufacturing arm.
Other management changes would be Datuk Kisai Rahmat being appointed executive director of Proton’s engineering and manufacturing division. Two other key management positions – head of sales and marketing, and head of strategy and corporate services have yet to be filled. Click here to read the rest of Proton new head - Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir
Proton’s media release department seems to favour the foreign markets more than our own local market. In a release by Proton Cars Australia, Proton says the new Satria Replacement Model three-door hatch will be released in Australia together with the Proton Savvy during the first few months of 2006.
At least now we know the SRM is coming in 2006.
Proton Holdings Bhd may post a second quarter loss of RM700 million due to MV Agusta, it’s unprofitable motorcycle unit. It previously posted a first quarter loss of RM 12.4 million, and attributed those to increased allowance for bad debts.
An industry source mentioned the red ink from MV Agusta’s books has spread to Proton’s. Proton will likely have to make some hard decisions involving cutting losses, and dumping MV Agusta.
A report by the Malay Mail last week had already given us some hints on this loss cutting exercise.
Proton Holdings Bhd may appoint Syed Zainal Abidin Mohamed Tahir as the new chief executive officer of the company, replacing former CEO Tengku Mahaleel Ariff.
Zainal Abidin is currently the deputy managing director of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. (Perodua) and one of the four executive directors of Perodua Auto Corporation, the 49%-owned manufacturing arm of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) and whose other shareholders are Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd (41%) and Mitsui & Co Ltd (10%).
Zainal Abidin used to work in Proton’s manufacturing division during the group’s early years of operation. He later joined Malaysian Trucks and Bus Sdn. Bhd, rised through the ranks to become CEO and moved on the Perodua to become it’s head of production.
Perodua officials said they’ve heard the rumours, but they are not at liberty to comment. Proton officials could not be contacted.
Source: The Edge Daily, Yahoo Finance
Proton has announced the availability of the Proton Chancellor beginning 15th December 2005. It will debut during the ASEAN Summit from 12-14 December. What is the Proton Chancellor? It’s basically a Proton Waja chassis with a 2.0 V6 engine from the Mitsubishi Eterna/Proton Perdana.
Proton officials say that the Chancellor had been redeveloped and not merely a stretched model like the Proton Perdana Executive. It has a 2850mm long wheelbase, compared to the Waja wheelbase which is 2600mm.
The Proton Chancellor is expected to be sold at a higher price than the current Proton Perdana and will feature luxurious trim such as DVD players. The Chancellor’s target market are high-ranking Government officers, corporate heads and senior executives.
Robert Bosch is in talks with Proton Holdings Bhd on supplying diesel fuel injection systems. Bosch currently supplies Proton with engine mnagement system parts, brakes, brake calipers, ABS systems, actuation systems, wiper washer systems and fuel injection systems. The companies are exploring options to use Bosch’s diesel fuel injection systems if Proton develops diesel-powered vehicles.
A diesel Proton Arena soon? Or a diesel SRM for the diesel+hatch loving European market. Proton used to have 2.0 liter diesel Proton Wiras, and the gearbox used for that car has been sought after by car modders for it’s supposed strength
KY, Kenneth and I headed over to Sepang for the A1 Grand Prix practice session yesterday, and we spotted this nicely done up Proton Savvy by the Race Rally Research Team. I assume this is a concept (or final?) design for the Proton Savvy R3’s bodykit, and I must say it complements the car well. Previously you saw this bodykit in black. Here’s one in red. The brighter colour makes it somewhat easier to see the details. The nice Advanti Racing rims are missing though. Click here to read the rest of Proton Savvy R3 Bodykit
