KUALA LUMPUR: There has been some high profile reshuffling at Proton Holdings Bhd, amid reports that a Chinese carmaker is edging closer towards becoming its foreign partner.
Chief technical officer Abdul Rashid Musa has moved to distribution arm Proton Edar Sdn Bhd as chief executive officer.
He replaces Rohime Shafie, former Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd president, who will now head parent DRB-HICOM Bhd’s automotive operations.
Rohime had been assigned to the group’s automotive distribution and manufacturing and engineering division, Proton said in a statement today.
He will report to the division’s chief operating officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah.
“Rashid has over 27 years experience in the automotive field, with involvement in various automotive projects and organisations,” Proton said.
Proton chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali is confident that Rashid is able to lead Proton Edar on its growth trajectory to further improve its market share.
Fuaad also paid tribute to Rohime for serving Proton since his secondment to the company on August 20 2014.
Proton is aiming to announce its strategic partner in April.
But a local daily reported that China’s Geely Automobile Ltd was leading a two-horse race ahead of French carmaker Groupe PSA.
Quoting sources, it claimed that both parties were actively undertaking due diligence work at Proton’s headquarters.