Group Lotus sacks chief executive Dany Bahar

Former chief executive Dany Bahar faced an investigation by parent company DRB-Hicom Berhad

Car-maker Lotus has sacked its chief executive with immediate effect.

The Group Lotus board dismissed Dany Bahar after an investigation into a complaint against him by Malaysian parent company DRB-Hicom Berhad.

Mr Bahar was suspended two weeks ago and has been replaced by Aslam Farikullah, 51, a DRB-Hicom Berhad senior executive.

In a statement, the company said the decision followed the results of an investigation into the complaint.

Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, the group managing director of DRB-Hicom Berhad and 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."

Mr Bahar joined Lotus in September 2009 and helped the company to win £10.7m from the government's Regional Growth Fund.

He also unveiled five new cars at the Paris motor show in October 2010 and said these were products of the future for Lotus.

DRB-Hicom Berhad gained control of Lotus's previous owner Proton Cars in January this year.

Mr Bahar was not available for comment.