KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): DRB-Hicom Bhd, which controls Proton Holdings Bhd, said its evaluation of the bidders vying to be the latter's foreign strategic partner (FSP) has to be detailed to turn the company around and make it a competitive carmaker.

"Our intent is to turn around the fortunes of Proton. There are strengths and capabilities of the carmaker that, given a new proven partner that can offer technology, capabilities and new markets, will push Proton as a brand to be reckoned with," said DRB-Hicom managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar.

"This is why our evaluation of the bidders needs to be a detailed one. Proton and the incoming FSP must be able to create synergies that will ensure the success of this venture," he said in a statement today.

Syed Faisal also reaffirmed the group's statement last Friday that all bidders are still in the running to be selected as Proton's FSP.

"There have been news reports stating that we are left with only one bidder. I can confirm that all parties that submitted bids for Proton are still in the running and DRB-Hicom is still evaluating these bids," he said.

"We are going through the tail-end of this meticulous process, and we are looking forward to completing this search by the end of the first half of this year," he added.

At 3.15pm, DRB-Hicom's share price stood at RM1.35, valuing the group at RM2.59 billion.