Proton not selling Lotus

[Frederik]

PROTON NOT SELLING LOTUS

Confirms Dany Bahar’s suspension

Subang Jaya, 28 May 2012 – Following a number of media queries, PROTON Holdings Berhad (PROTON) today confirmed that, following an operational review, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, Dany Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus’ penultimate parent company, DRB-HICOM Berhad.

In Mr Bahar’s absence, Dato’ Lukman Ibrahim, Mr Mohd Khalid Yusof and Mr Aslam Farikullah (representatives of Lotus’ parent companies) have been authorised by Group Lotus plc’s board to handle and conduct the day-to-day management and affairs of the Lotus Group. They will be assisted by Mr Rusman Zaihan. They have been authorised to take up these duties during the suspension period.

PROTON today also reiterated that its holding company DRB-HICOM Berhad (DRB-HICOM) is not selling Lotus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PROTON, despite the recent media reports on speculation and rumours coming from unreliable sources on the purported intent to sell.

According to Executive Chairman of PROTON Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, “We acknowledge that Lotus can provide value to PROTON. Lotus is an iconic brand with global presence and positioning, coupled with unsurpassed engineering expertise and a talented workforce.”

Earlier this month, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil visited Lotus facilities at Hethel in Norfolk, UK. In conjunction with the visit, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil also had constructive meetings with South Norfolk MP Mr Richard Bacon and British Business Secretary, Mr Vince Cable. Commenting on the meetings, Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil said, “They were both very supportive of our views and developments with regard to the future plans for Lotus. And subsequent to the meetings, the British Government has agreed to consider reactivating the £10 million Regional Growth Fund pledge to support Lotus’s vehicle development plans in Norfolk.”

According to Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil, “Both PROTON and DRB-HICOM will continue to review the existing business plans and financial position of Lotus in taking Lotus forward in the immediate- to medium-term. DRB-HICOM has sent in a team comprising local and international consultants to Lotus from March 2012 to conduct an operations and legal audit on Lotus group of companies.”

The need for this review is especially pertinent in light of the existing financial obligation of Lotus in the form of a £270 million syndicated loan taken at the end of 2010, for which PROTON has given its corporate guarantee.

Bron : ArenaKereta.com getipt door co-driver

[co-driver]

Een uitgebreider bericht ...
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/389924

khamil-jamil12-e1338258631808.jpg (21.96 KiB) 1892 keer bekeken

In dit bericht is er sprake van het 'Potenza Project' , na wat google'n toch iets gevonden Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Integration - Lotus Engineering (o.a.Evora 414E Hybrid , Lotus Range Extender.....)

lotus hybrid and electric vehicles.jpg (4.92 KiB) 1917 keer bekeken

lotus hybrid and electric vehicles-2.jpg (6.36 KiB) 1916 keer bekeken

lotus hybrid and electric vehicles-3.jpg (7.09 KiB) 1916 keer bekeken

[co-driver]

LotusNotForSale.jpg (49.36 KiB) 1867 keer bekeken

LOTUS NOT FOR SALE (officiele mededeling van DRB-Hicom)

Proton / DRB-Hicom confirms its holding on to Lotus

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=25769