Proton hires German quality expert
April 17, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Proton has today announced the appointment of a new Director of Quality, ex-BMW man Dr Wolfgang Karl Epple.
According to Proton’s managing director, Syed Zainal, the company believes that with Dr Epple’s strong technical, managerial expertise and leadership he will be able to drive the quality transformation process for the Proton Group.
“Dr Epple is optimistic and looks forward to contributing and developing Proton’s quality function and aims to further improve Proton’s brand equity in the respective markets,” said Syed Zainal.
Dr Epple worked for BMW for 23 years having last served BMW as Vice President of Quality Management Research and Development.
Before that he managed BMW’s role in its Hybrid Cooperation project with Daimler, Chrysler and GM in Detroit, USA.
As a Project Director he was in charge of the current BMW 3-series.
In his capacity as General Manager for Industrialisation in BMW South Africa, Dr Epple was responsible for the adaptation and release of the European cars to local conditions.
In 1993 he formulated and implemented the strategy to make BMW SA fit for the international market. He also led BMW’s export initiative in South Africa where he managed BMW’s biggest investment program.
The announcement of Dr Epple’s appointment could be the start of a very interesting transformation at Proton, one which we await with eager anticipation.
Print it: 
The last time Proton engaged a quality expert, there was absolutely zero improvement in build quality. What makes Proton think that it will be different this time. Build quality starts from the drawing board, not at the final inspection and Proton needs to understand this.
I wonder if he has any idea what he’s in for, and I wonder if Proton have any idea of what they will need to do….
It’s an interesting trend, this – the Asian manufacturers are hiring the best – Kia with Shreyer, now Proton, probably others.
The result will only improve the overall quality and desirability of Asian cars.
Easiest job in the world, if he is allowed to fully implement quality control. Improving the quality of a compnay based on the lowest standards.
Seems to be becoming a trend for Asian car companies. What other uses are their for Germans? IMO Proton have some very good looking cars, i don’t think they need a new direction in style. With the Lotus ownership i thought their design philosophy was performance through light weight. I am sure some of their production “Lotus Tuned” cars have the passive rear steering. I wonder if this move has more to do with marketing?
That’s a great move by Proton. Proton has been producing some great handling (with the help from Lotus) and good looking cars. The only problem with Proton is quality. I would certainly prefer a Proton over a Kia or Hyundai any day if Proton managed to get their quality right.
This is why Australian cars always fall behind.
In the next 5 years Proton will be seen as better quality than a Holden or Ford.
Good move by Proton, but this guy can only do so much if the bean counters refuse to spend the tons of money it needs in order to make the drastic improvements in quality happen. Another important ingredient in improving the quality is to change the mindset of the workers as they really need to take pride in what they do, and Proton should have already learnt this from the japs since their partnership with Mitsubishi years ago, but they didnt. Compare any new proton now with even the latest kia’s and you immediately see Proton is years behind in quality.
Makes sense. Proton really only have three things to improve on but they need to to do them all very thoroughly. They need better qaulity, better engines and better design. They don’t have the handling problems that a lot of other budget cars do so after those three, they could make convincing cars.
…that guy should do a “quality control” on his head!
look at that thing, it screams “ya i like the sauerkraut and bratwurst” from 20 km’s away
lol
With the other executives still being the wimps they are, ONE director of quality isn’t going to make any difference.
“James” – a bit harsh. But I agree he could at least run a QC check on his razor, seems it only shaves the top half of his moustache :-)
Salesman, you never did learn that passive rear steering was simpl an excuse to use cheap bushes and very ordinary steering geometry did you???
HAL and “James”: The Style Police
Alex, you’d have thought that with all of those expensive cars you bang on about owning or having owned ad nauseum, that you could have afforded a sense of humour somewhere along the way.
LoL, how do you measure the quality of recycled Milo tin cans? Even if they are “Tuned by Lotus” recycled Milo tin cans. Agree with Allan, it starts in their accounting department and drawing board.
This is like Zimbabwe having a Minister of Economic Development. Unless quality is embedded in the culture of the company this will be just a window-dressing role. Hope he’s negotiated a good retirement package.
He should do a quality audit on his moustache and take heed of some great advice I learned many years ago, “Why cultivate something around your mouth that grows wild around the arsehole”.
Character Assassins are out today. As funny as!
Quite unique cars here Protons, they must only sell a couple hundred each year.
Protons have poor build quality because:-
a) interior and exterior panels are poorly designed and hence do not fit properly. Manufactured parts are sometimes filed to ensure they fit thus giving “filing dept” a new meaning
b) low manufacturing precision adding to poor fit
c) use cheap materials and hence poor overall quality
d) poor vendor programme favouring govt cronies hence quality is compromised
Herr Epple will not make an iota of a difference.
Not like BMW has a impeccable quality record either…
Frontman,
Be fair, they do corner well. Don’t tell Ross but some of the stock cars get tested salesman style around some corners.
The first thing he should do is ditch the lashed together Bamboo chassis rails, crossmembers and A/B/C pillars.
Upgrading the briggs and stratton engines could help as well.
I hope he is not a german version of Dr Nick Riviera, how do you say “Hi Everybody” in german?
Proton – the result of a heavily protected automotive manufacturing industry.