SINGAPORE -- Proton, founded in 1983 under the auspices of then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, once enjoyed good sales as Malaysia's national car brand. But recent years have not been so kind. The semi-public automaker Proton Holdings has been struggling as local Malaysian consumers have shunned the car, namely citing poor quality.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad The carmaker has started to fight back. It recently appointed Mahathir as chairman, and it is working to clinch a deal with a major Chinese carmaker. Yet, there are doubts about how much the 88-year-old former prime minister can do to revive Proton.
