It seems Geely and Proton are now going to be partners, with Geely taking a majority share in Lotus, a Proton subsidiary. This photo is from a Paul Tan article.
Dr. Mahathir signed an agreement for co-operation with Geely whilst he was acting Chairman of Proton. Whilst I'm sure he won't be entirely happy about this, Proton still have control of their destiny
Lotus are now majority (or soon will be) Geely owned. I am sure their is a plan for both companies. I sincerely hope this works out for the best.
I have a good feeling about it.
Here is a video of Dr Mahathir (Proton's founder) and his take on things.
Lastly, I would say. I would be open to an offer to return to Lotus. I have made this known before... but it doesn't hurt to remind people occasionally!
Here is a local Malaysian TV station report on the situation:
Last night I received a call from Label 1 regarding the Channel 4 interview programme I participated in.
The emoov interviews were not going to screened.
I was disappointed.
I would be lying if I said that working in a call centre for an estate agent is a dream job.
However, having the opportunity to appear on free to air TV and raise my profile was something I was hoping to market my self with...
I thought I would share a few thoughts on the Interview process as it happened, as best I can allowing for my memory playing tricks on me. I have left out my answers and most of the chat...
They were both very friendly, and it did feel more like a chat than an interview.
Being a politician, Russell asked me:
Who I would vote for Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton?
Jeremy Corbyn or David Cameron?
Next, How would I vote on Brexit?
The interview progressed to Estate Agents. Do I feel they are ethical?
How much is the average house price in England/ Basildon. What percentage of the Market did I think the Hybrid (Call Centre based) Estate agents commanded.
Following this we had a practical. I sat on a sofa, Russell pretended he was a client... We had a pretend phone conversation (I didn't do well).
Next Lauren asked if She made an offer of £20,000 per year would I take it...
Next I was handed a piece of paper and asked to do with it whatever I liked...
Lastly, I mentioned that the front desk had said the previous interviewee had done a poem.
I offered them a Corporate poem. They said go ahead...
Here it is ( I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream)
I moov, You moov, we all moov, with emoov...
This caused some amusement. We all shook hands, and wished each other well.
The next day, I had the TV crew around. Lauren said she didn't think I really wanted the job, and wished me well.
I am not sure the political questioning is a normal thing in an interview. The rest was OK.
I know that a lot of Companies are wary of peoples politics. In Malaysia, I worked for Proton, a Bumi Putra company (People of the Land). Peoples race and background were an issue.
In America, at General Motors being a Conservative politically was generally the way to go.
When I was at Fords, on Staff if you were a local Tory Councillor it probably would have been more of a plus than a minus.
But I'm not sure they would grill you in quite the same way as Russell did in an interview situation...
My proposal revolves around setting up physical campuses at/on Motorsport venues, combined with on-line learning.
Lotus is where I first suggested this. Reaction was tepid to very anti. No-one said this was going to be easy!
DRB Hicom own Lotus and Proton. They have just received University status for their ICAM campus it is now being renamed
This is not a political blog.
Proton until recently considered the Malaysian National car and chaired the ex Malaysian PM, Tun Mahathir.
Tun Mahathir and Malaysia's present PM appear to have had a disagreement over funds in the PM's personal bank account. The BBC says this has been settled. Malaysia agency says Najib Razak funds 'were donations'
Malaysia's anti-corruption agency has said hundreds of millions of dollars found in Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal accounts were donations, effectively clearing him of wrongdoing.
But it did not disclose who the donors were or what the donations were for.
This has been a bit of a distraction it would seem for the Proton Chairman.
Selfishly (yes I can be selfish) I now hope things will settle down, justice is seen to be done, and the good Doctor can run his eye over my proposal.
I'm not perfect, but I'm pretty honest and have a workable plan I'd like to implement.
Lotus, who I am hoping to interest in my proposal... Are owned by a Malaysian company DRB Hicom, who have many divisions, Defence, Post, Automotive etc...
Proton was started by Tun Mahathir, and was recently owned by the Government. It is now privately owned.
Up until now taxis in Malaysia were mostly Protons. Now that is about to change. Toyota products have now received official blessing. Toyota Innova MPV officially unveiled as TEKS1M cab - (Paul Tan)
Tun Mahathir is now the Chairman of Proton and Lotus. I cannot speak on his behalf, but I suspect that he will not welcome the competition!
Protons Malaysia market share in the past 10 years has dropped considerably, this won't help.
In England, my local garage stopped selling Protons a couple of years ago.
Proton, have agreements in place with Honda and Suzuki to share platforms and technology, and their new vehicles will reflect that...
Lotus will be building their next new vehicle, an SUV in China. Here is a small portion of todays Malaysian Reserve article: The market presence of Lotus cars in China was done via Goldstar Lotus Automobile Co Ltd, a JV company between the three parties. Proton, Lotus and Goldstar will own 40%, 10% and 50% respectively in the JV company, which will cost up to 10 billion yuan (RM6.15 billion).
I am not an insider... So I don't know for sure if this is being based on an existing platform, Proton Exora being the most obvious, or with the Lotus Toyota connection, they use their engines, possibly a Toyota platfom, or as Proton have agreement with Honda and Suzuki possibly something they currently use...
Building from scratch would only make sense if it were to be a global platform possibly, selling it back to one of their OEM partners. Car Makers do that, but I'm not sure that is going to happen. You would really need an agreement up front to do that. The Platform would then have to be designed around your needs and that of the sharing OEM.
I certainly wish them all the best!
It would be nice if they could leverage their brands, particularly Lotus in a more out of the box way. My proposal does that... However, it seems a lot of people think I'm out of my box proposing it!
Here's a video showing a couple of losers talking about something similar.
Alastair Campbell was Tony Blair's media man, and Brian Barwick was the CEO of the FA.
The College is now a physical entity, here is a promo Video.
Lastly, I saw this video on youtube: I attended an ASLI conference with Alex. He was the most photographed man there!
I know a couple of other drivers from my time in Malaysia who would love to driving in this!
I use social media and have a webpage www.motorsportuniversitymalaysia.com
I don't tend to add pictures and jokes to my facebook page. I usually just update my blog www.motorsportuniversitymalaysia.blogspot.com I then share this on Google+ and sometimes Linkedin.
I actually have a lot of pageviews on Google+
Today, I checked out Linkedin. I went onto the Detroit Electric page. I have met with Albert Lam. Presently, Albert is the founder of Detroit Electric, then he was CEO of Lotus Engineering. It was good of him to give me the time, and pay for my coffee!
He said if I could show him a revenue stream for a "Training" proposal he would bring onboard investors. His experience with training was much the same as General Motors with small cars, ie "We don't make money from ..."
He seems to have spent the last few years trying to sell an electric Elise. I then expect (I don't know) that he will source another ICE production car from China and put an electric power unit in it.
No R&D costs with the complete development of a vehicle. Just assemble and sell.
Good Luck with that.
I noticed on the Detroit Electric page one person I know. The Executive Program Manager. I assume he works from home. He appears to be the only one based in Singapore.
There are several in China,Holland and the UK, with a couple in Detroit.
Additionally, I saw that my facebook friend Kumar has done some ride and handling work for them. Kumar worked in Lotus Engineering. I helped him financially (personally) in his early rallying career. Lotus Engineering does not have a budget for Rally Driving per se.
I am incredibly biased, that I admit. BUT I wish that my proposal would receive the funding and support that this project has.
Well run ethical institutions that offer bona fide certification nowadays often exceed one million clients. That in my view (biased, I know) represents a revenue stream.
Whilst I have called the project MUM Malaysian Motorsport University, this was because I was with Lotus/ Proton at the early inception. The project has a global vision.
It will happen, I'm sure.
In the meantime, I wish Albert Lam and his crew all the best.
Reuters have stated that Bertelsmann are now actively and aggresively executing their Educational strategy.
This is reflected on the Bertelsmann site:
Bertelsmann entered the global education business in early 2012, shortly after Thomas Rabe took office as Chairman & CEO. In the context of Bertelsmann’s corporate strategy with its four priorities, building the education business primarily falls under the "expansion of growth businesses.”... Bertelsmann has defined three specific segments in which the company will advance its educational activities in the years ahead: e-learning, medical education, and services for universities. I applaud Bertelsmann. Thomas Rabe, their CEO obviously has a viable plan, and the goodwill and support of his organisation . Good for him.
There are obvious parallels between what I would like to do, and Bertelmanns vision.
Medical education would be covered by Sports Medicine, Engineering would be transport based, services for Universities...
As I was involved with Lotus when I initially made my proposal, it was based around their owners and Shareholders Petronas Proton Lotus with a media/IT partner, at that time, Bernama and IBM.
Proton and Lotus can supply hardware, Petronas and Bertelsmann have education as core competencies. Apple an IT company are keen to get into Automotive.
Petronas Proton and Lotus know each other. Bertelsmann and Apple would need to be approached by a high level executive team made up of representatives of PetronasF1 and Petronas University, Proton and Proton R3, Lotus Cars and Lotus F1.
I feel this would work. I can't make this happen alone.
A friend recently added Meditation to my Linkedin skillset. This blog presently, is a form of dreaming.
Dreams do come true!
“All men of action are dreamers.” - James Huneker
As anyone who reads this blog knows. I have been championing an educational based initiative since my time at Lotus Engineering Malaysia.
I believe it has merit (obviously). I however need a large well funded institution to fund and support the proposal.
Lotus are presently owned by the Malaysian consortium DRB Hicom.
They own Proton, who in turn own Lotus.
Dr. Mahathir, the ex Malaysian Prime Minister is the Chairman of Proton and Lotus.
Dr M now chairman of Proton and Group Lotus (Malaymailonline)
Dr. Mahathir is controversial. He appears to embrace controversy, and is not afraid to express his opinion.
Now speaking as an individual, I can’t say I would necessarily agree with burning bibles, or any other religious book come to that.
However, unlike Dr. Mahathir I was brought up in the “West”. I associate book burning as a prelude to authoritarian rule, quite possibly followed by World domination for the book burners particular brand of religion and political philosophy.
So would I work with Dr. Mahathir?
Well yes. I have a vision. It is based on a combination of industrial expertise, hardware and academic learning delivered online and in the classroom.
Dr. Mahathir is the chairman of my preferred partner. I would not throw the baby out with the bathwater because of fundamental differences of opinion.
Here is a picture of Dr. Mahathir meeting with Hilary Clinton.
Dr. Mahathir appears to be enjoying her company immensely, I am sure the same would apply to me.
I read that Proton and Lotus Management have met to discuss the way forward.
The plan may be to design and build an SUV and a Sedan car.
OK.
The last time Lotus designed a new car, the Evora, it competed with Porsche. Porsche did not notice any impact on its sales. I assume the R&D plus tooling costs for the Evora have not been effectively amortised in the sales.
So, is this the same thing, design an SUV which competes against Porsche?
The money for all this R&D will probably come from Malaysia. Certainly not from any profit Lotus makes.
So who is paying for this?
The Malaysian Government. Proton will ask for a grant.
Or
Petronas (Malaysian Government owned).
These two bodies will ask... "Whats in this for us?"
Convincing them that this will give long term employment to "Malaysian" engineers and will be highly profitable raising their profile internationally, and locally will be difficult. IMO.
Both DRB Hicom and Petronas have bona fide Universities, as standalone businesses.
Petronas has a large Motorsport budget/prescence... You can see where I am going with this!
If Lotus Styles and designs and new platform or two. Use this R&D work to produce saleable educational modules.
When the business case is made and successfully implemented, produce saleable "Entreprenuer" educational modules.
Package the homologation process into saleable educational modules.
Marketing the products can be modulised and sold as educational products.
I won't go on. I'm sure you can see where I am going.
This would be a Unique selling point.
University students are normally government funded (cheap loans or free) and often spend enough per year of study to pay for a small car.
So if we said a three or four year spend per pupil would equate to a car sale we wouldn't be to far away.
In America, Phoenix University has about 1/2 million students.
If we (yes I want to be part of this) target 1 million clients globally, lets say this would be like selling 250,000 cars per year.
This global exposure would give Lotus/Proton/Petronas a positive exposure.
It is potentially, financially sustainable. It is ethical. However, it requires a little bit of "Outside the box" thinking.
I'm sure the Proton/Lotus board would be more than capable of selling it to "Potential Investors".
I met him personally at ASLI Automotive conference 2010.
I presented my proposal on stage with his Son and Tengku Mahaleel.
Hopefully, his new appointment will be a plus for Proton and Lotus. It would be nice if he adopted my proposal.
Both Lotus and Proton need to do something different. My proposal is different. And in my biased opinion it would be highly successful.
Hello Tun, I see that Proton still creates a lot of debate. Producing cars is a high investment/risk industry. Many countries steer well clear. Others make a commitment. The Malaysian Government has obviously decided to enter the market. Many will think this is a vanity project. As they feel they are directly or indirectly paying for it, they quite understandably feel they have a right to criticise. That is to be expected. I have worked in Proton, albeit on behalf of Lotus, I found the people to be welcoming and helpful. Commercially, it is difficult for a small Company to compete in a very global market. Proton has always struggled outside of Malaysia. It is not a Global brand. How to address that? Find a partner that can give you the exposure. It would be better yet if R&D costs could be shared. You can do this with Vendors and other OEM’s. Additionally, as DRB Hicom now have education as one of there ‘Core’ businesses (as does Petronas) perhaps a global educational project that utilises Proton/Lotus hardware on geographically diverse campuses could be a profitable and effective way to promote the brand. As you may know, I have such a proposal. Proton has a Motorsport Division, I know Djan and presented with his Dad at ASLI 2010. Lotus and Petronas have Motorsport budgets. Exploit your intellectual property. Share it in an ethical and commercially sustainable manner. Upgrade your profile locally and internationally. Improve your bottom line. It makes sense. Do Proton a favour support this proposal. It will be a positive step forward. Thanks for taking the time to read this. John Mansfield
I have on many occasions approached both companies Proton (owned by DRB Hicom) and Petronas for help in making my proposal a reality.
Up until now it has not materialised.
I think that now DRB Hicom have publicly stated that they intend to make 'Education' (ICAM) a core business, Petronas already has a fully fledge University under its ownership, and both have multiple Motorsport divisions and in the case of Petronas sponsorship of Mercedes F1 team. the official title of Mercedes is Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.
Lotus, the car company based in the UK are owned by DRB Hicom. Westfield cars have a development and sales agreement with DRB Hicom. Proton has a Motorsport team R3 and Proton also support an international Rally team.
Whilst Petronas may feel that funding for product development should come directly from the Government, it may be open to an educational partnership based around Motorsports.
Proton (DRB Hicom) obviously talks to Petronas.
How about looking at my proposal? I'm sure both parties would have much to gain!
Both are looking having a global presence. Both are looking to make 'Education' one of their core businesses. Both have Motorsport as part of their businesses.
On a personal note... It would be nice if they could find a position for me in their business plan.
A few days ago the deputy CEO of Proton Datuk Lukman resigned. DRB Hicom are I assume looking for a replacement.
Lotus meanwhile are apparently hiring.
Lotus are operating without a CEO. So it would seem two high level positions are to be filled.
Plus Lotus are looking to increase their staff by about 100. http://paultan.org/2013/08/02/lotus-gets-100-mil-investment-to-create-100-new-jobs/#comments
Obviously, I have been annoying DRB Hicom for a position for some time.
Maybe, the time has come? Time will tell.
Here is a video of a new 'Backpackers' Hotel concept in Kuala Lumpur.
I think the concept of using containers as accommodation interesting.
Incidentally, should you be backpacking through Malaysia, I can personally recommend Red Palm in Bukit Bintang.
I see today that Datuk Lukman the deputy CEO of Proton has resigned. I met him briefly at ASLI auto conference in 2010.
He was polite, but not particularly personable. I wish him well.
I track the traffic on this blog.
Today, I noticed a global blue chip business media company with an office in Singapore had been looking at one of my posts. Here is the link to the post.
When I had a visit from Jimmy (Proton employee and friend) at Christmas, he mentioned my weight gain!
Here I am, at about 20stone. I am training in the gym and following a low carb diet. I presently weigh in at about 17 stone. I need to lose a bit more. However, I am looking a lot better.
I saw a film at the weekend called http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/
Last night I bought a juicer! It should arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll give it a go. It would be lovely to drop another two stone in a healthy manner. I actually look athletic when I lose weight. Sorry no topless photo's!
I am doing a combination of aerobic and weight training. My local GYM4ALL has free classes. I go to as many as I can. Its having a beneficial effect.
When I was in America, I was informed a chap called Doug had informed the company he would not work for me because I had put on weight! I have to say, I was bemused by this. However, the manager who told me this thought this was a valid reason for not wishing to work for someone.
In any event, plenty of exercise and good nutrition is good for me, and I enjoy training. So its all positive.
Lotus are aware of my wish to join them in my educational venture. Maybe, I'll stick a suit on and send them a photo. Maybe someone will say, "He looks slim and fit. I'd work for him!"
I have just watched a programme about Giovanni Trapattoni, presently, the manager of the Republic of Ireland football team.
He left Bayern Munich under a cloud, and returned soon after to finish what he called "Unfinished business".
I know how he feels. I left Lotus after some very personal criticism from my immediate manager.
Suffice to say, I want to return, fulfil my proposals, and walk away happy that I have made a positive contribution.
Lotus Engineering Malaysia no longer exists as such, although as Lotus is Malaysian owned, Group Lotus is effectively under Malaysian management.
I enjoy Malaysia. I did not particularly enjoy working for Lotus. However, this is not a problem. Unfinished business is unfinished business!
It is my intention to return, and leave happily after things are on course and the future looks good.
I have just viewed my picture with Jimmy, from Proton. Christmas 2012.
I was weighing in at about 20 stone in this picture. I have lost over two stone. I am now a regular at the local gym. I hope to return to Malaysia Fighting fit!
Yesterday, I was invited to have a free (month) upgrade job search Premium on LinkedIn.
You can see who has been looking at your profile, and can contact people directly through InMail.
I won't bother.
I have directly contacted people by attending two ASLI automotive conferences. The second one I presented and hosted several discussions with CEO's and executives from SepangF1 Proton and Perodua.
I would like to thank Kenanga Simon and her team at ASLI for being so helpful in making this happen.
Kenanga, recently left ASLI. I wish her well in her new career.
Networking is important. Nothing beats someone recognising you and saying something positive, or negative!
I have made it known to high level people that I want to make my proposal a reality. I'm not a multi millionaire, so I would be happy to work at a level that would give me the budget and freedom to execute the plan.
Additionally, I believe that my plan dovetails with DRB Hicom's global strategy. They have just bought the Lotus dealerships in China.
I have already made this clear on numerous occasions to Lotus/Proton and DRB Hicom. I can't imagine that having a premium LinkedIn account will make any difference.
It would be nice if the hiring team would look at my webpage and blog. Get some feedback, both positive and negative from people who know me, and make the right decision. Hire me. You won't regret it!
Previously, Albert had signed an agreement with Proton to do the same thing.
Good luck to him.
I'm enjoying the lovely weather in the UK (truly) and awaiting the elections in Malaysia to happen so I can carry on annoying people in DRB-Hicom about my project!
Here is what it is costing us:2 million for land + 1 million per mile of racetrack, so 2 million for 2 mile road course + 1 million for parking lot and other infrastructure elements + 1 million for clubhouse facility (read, large metal building with a cantina and lockerooms) + 4 million for engineers, designers, architects, safety inspections, EPA inspections, insurance, safety, and other miscellaneous contruction and expensegrand total = 10 million and this is a really bare bones setupInsurance and upkeep annually will be nuts so factor that in.
My proposal would be
$3 million for the land
+
$10 million. $2 million per mile of racetrack. $10 million for 5 miles of F1 quality track.
+
$3 million for parking and other infrastructure elements
+
Cost of a Solar farm. We can be electricity independent. We have about 4,255acres.
Apple have just spent $3 million for a 200 acre site in California for use as a Solar farm.
No costs appear online. However, I found another article. http://cleantechnica.com/2011/12/06/200-mw-solar-farm-to-be-established-in-hardee-county/
This project will consist of ten 200-acre solar farms, which are to cost $70 million each.
National Solar Power said that each 20-MW portion of the project will employ a three-person maintenance crew, an engineer, and security personnel, and the average salary for the permanent jobs mentioned above is expected to be $40,000 per year.
I have no idea how much electricity we would use. We have permissions to set up a solar farm. Land is not a problem. $70 million is a lot of money!
I'll leave that to one side for now. Perhaps we could lease the land to a corporation. They set up the farm we get free electricity!
+
$30 million
University entrance and buildings. This depends on the amount of students we expect and the number of rooms/ workshops needed.
If we operate on an OU basis students will only be on campus for a few days to maybe a few months.
Maybe we should look at erecting a permanent Grandstand. It could be sectioned for lessons. When an event takes place we utilise the grandstand as a grandstand. Burnley FC have a University which utises a multi use architecture.
Stadiarena quote $3,000 per seat for an arena. So lets say we stick a 10,000 seat arena trackside.
We make it multi use. Theoretically it would cost $30 million. However it would be used as lecture rooms, and function as a trackside stand when appropriate.
This would be in addition to the buildings already on the site.
+
$10 million Student accomodation.
To keep costs down. I propose a mixture of a tent city, dorms and single rooms. This gives students a choice.
We can invite a proper hotel chain the chance to set up, or build ourselves. Plus California City is hugely under developed, I'm sure accomodation will pop up.
Lets budget $10 million for accomodation. This can include buying land and developing property in California City. Obviously, there needs to be somewhere for clients to stay.
+
$7 million for engineers, designers, architects, safety inspections, EPA inspections, insurance, safety, and other miscellaneous contruction and expense
grand total = 63 million and this may grow...Insurance and upkeep annually will be nuts so factor that in.
Then we need to add cars and academics plus course contracts.
Lets say we use Lotus and Westfields with maybe some Satria rally cars.Add in some of those expensive Lotus F125 pretend F1 cars. How much? F125's are a million each! Lets say a stable of 50 cars and bikes at an average of $100,000 each, plus 2 F125's. $7 million plus $3 million worth of garages/workshops/storage.
So about $73 million buys the land buildings track and cars/bikes.Lets add $7 million for Media and TV plus academic licences and permissions to enable the OU side of the business to operate. I pulled this figure out of the air.
So $80 million gets us an operational circuit fully equipped to open as both a circuit and University.
This figure obviously doubles if we include a 200 acre solar farm.
I'm not an accountant. I may have missed something very obvious!
ROI on $80 million. If we get University status, and can successfully combine OU studies with the physical campus. The education would be done in modules. Phoenix University is the most successful private OU in North America. It can have 1/2 million students at any given time.
One full academic year costs circa $10,000. Many students will only take a partial year.
Lets say 1/2million students taking an average of $2,000 worth of modules per year and we make $1,000 million revenue per year.
I am not saying we will achieve this in the short term. However, it could be a medium term goal.
Ideally, I would like 4+ campuses worldwide. With a medium to long term goal of 1 million students.
Many of the costs, land, accomodation and Stadium/University can be amortised over years.
The cars and bikes have a short and expensive lifespan.
What a wonderful way to introduce Proton, Potenza and Lotus to North America!
Just been reading some recent DRB-Hicom news. Property development seems to be high on their agenda...
How about buying the ex Honda Test Centre in California and developing it for a Motorsport University.
Lotus, Proton and Westfield (Potenza) all participate in Motorsports. They are all owned by DRB-Hicom. Get feedback from them on their wants and needs. Talk to your educational partners, DRB-Hicom own their own University, as do Petronas.
Develop the site.
Sell it to the New Uni on a rent to buy basis. Part of the deal could be for the University to use Hardware (cars etc) sourced mainly from the DRB-Hicom stable.
This would enable DRB-Hicom to offer the University reasonable terms on its rent to buy agreement.
Most of the initial property development could be done by DRB-Hicom. Hand over the design to a local architect to ensure it complies with USA/Californian regulations and away we go.
According to the Paul Tan article 2015 is when we can expect new products from Lotus.
He (Mohd Kamil DRB-Hicom CEO) also divulged that we can expect replacements for the Exige and Evora by 2015 or 2016, with a newly-developed platform and engine at the heart of things. No confirmation about whether the platform will be a carry-over or evolution of that from the Paris cars.
Lets target September 2015 as the opening date for the project. DRB-Hicom develops its first overseas project with a customer in place.
Might I suggest this Builder as a possible Californian partner. http://www.zetacommunities.com/projects.php
Lets keep this as eco friendly as practicable, and disability friendly!
I just saw this picture. Simple and efficient. http://www.interestingengineering.com/
Makes sense to me! Every cloud has a silver lining.
Did I mention that I have a USA passport and am available for this?
