Thursday 7th June 2012

Dany Bahar: terminated

It's official - the Bahar era is over as Lotus appoints a new CEO

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"I need your clothes, your boots and your position as CEO of Lotus..."

In a businesslike statement released just moments ago Lotus has confirmed that Dany Bahar has been "terminated from his employment as Chief Executive Officer of Lotus with immediate effect."

Bahar is out of the door - officially!

This follows news of his suspension 10 days ago after Proton owners DRB-Hicom started "an investigation into a complaint about his conduct." The details remain officially under wraps, and while rumours have been widely circulated the PR agency brought in to manage the crisis says there will be no further comment on the matter for now.

Bahar's replacement - with immediate effect - will be Aslam Farikullah, an engineering graduate from the University of Bath with over 25 years experience much of it apparently within the automotive sector.

DRB-Hicom's Group Managing Director Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil has confirmed the commitment to Lotus's future and "take the Lotus Group to the next level to remain relevant in the global automotive industry."

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The full statement can be seen here in full:

LOTUS APPOINTS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Confirms dismissal of Dany Bahar

Norfolk, 7 June 2012 - Group Lotus plc ("Lotus" or the "Company") can today confirm that, Mr Dany Bahar has been terminated from his employment as Chief Executive Officer of Lotus with immediate effect.

The decision was made by the Board of Group Lotus plc following the results of an investigation into a complaint made against him by the company's penultimate holding company, DRB-HICOM Berhad.

The Company today also announced the appointment of Mr Aslam Farikullah as the Company's Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. Mr Aslam, aged 51, has over 26 years working experience, most of which was in the automotive industry. He graduated from University of Bath, England with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Engineering. A British permanent resident, Mr Aslam and his English wife of 27 years have three children aged 26, 22 and 16.

Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad and also Chairman of Lotus said: "I would like to assure you that we remain committed to ensure the ongoing and future business operations of the Lotus Group as we take the Lotus Group to the next level to remain relevant in the global automotive industry. I look forward to bringing mutual benefits to not only DRB-HICOM and PROTON Holdings Berhad but also the Lotus Group and its employees as well as contribute to the growth of the British automotive industry."

 

[Hellbound]

Bwahahahaa......


erm...I mean... RIP Bahar.


Onwards and upwards!

[Hellbound]

phib said:

Do you think they are pushing the fact the new guy is English enough ???

Phib

I was thinking that too, and it's quite sad that they felt they needed to appease the vast number of idiots who place importance on such things. His wife is English too you know, calm down people!!

Good luck to him I say, would be nice to see him come onto PH, if he isn't here already! =)

[Hellbound]

I've been looking for more info on our new man at Lotus but haven't been able to find anything.

Just thought it would be interesting to see where he's worked in the past and if any of that experience could directly influence the type of cars Lotus will hopefully go on to make.

A pair of fresh, engineering eyes is what Lotus needed all along. The PR thing wasn't even half the story, looking back there were just too many holes in Dany boys 'master' plan.