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Martin
08-02-2009, 04:58 PM
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/Mike_Kimberley_3_3.jpg

Lotus Press Release

The Chief Executive of Group Lotus, Mike Kimberley, announced today that he is stepping down from his role due to an ongoing back problem. An Executive Committee comprising current Group Lotus board members supported by the shareholder, Proton Holdings Bhd, will assume day-to-day control of the business until a successor is appointed.

Mike, who will be 71 in August, has been suffering from severe back pain for a number of months and underwent surgery in late 2008 which was only partially successful. His doctors have now advised him to retire so as not to jeopardize his long term health. Under these circumstances, the board has regretfully accepted his resignation.

Dato’ Syed Zainal, Managing Director of Proton Holdings Bhd, said: “It is a great shame that Mike’s health has forced his departure earlier than any of us would have liked. He has been a great asset to Lotus over four decades. Since his return in 2006, we have seen a huge turnaround in the fortunes of this great company. He leaves Lotus with our deep gratitude and our very best wishes for his retirement.”

Under Mike’s leadership, Lotus has produced the award-winning Lotus Evora, which was recently launched to the world’s press with universal acclaim. He has also overseen the expansion of Lotus Engineering, one of the world’s most respected high-technology engineering consultancy businesses. Group Lotus now has a positive and stable platform despite the global economic downturn and is delivering against its defined growth targets in the company’s strategic business plan.

Mike Kimberley said: “Sadly, it is on doctor’s orders that I am stepping down but I will leave confident that Lotus is in great shape with a strong management team fully supported by our shareholder in Malaysia. It’ll be very hard to leave knowing that there are such exciting times ahead but I’ll take with me many very happy memories. I want to extend my thanks to the company’s shareholder for their unfailing support, my management team and the wonderful staff both at Hethel and at our various operational locations throughout the world. Most of all I want to thank our Lotus customers and loyal fans worldwide for their support over the years.”

Mike will leave Lotus on 17 July 2009.

WayneB
08-02-2009, 09:57 PM
We had a thread going on this a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.lotusbuzz.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1968

Martin
08-04-2009, 11:22 PM
I know I know....I just had to post this as it was the official press release. I would have posted it sooner but for some reason I fell off the mailing list at Lotus so I need to remember to check the media page occasionally.

WayneB
08-04-2009, 11:30 PM
It will be interesting to see how the new regime at Lotus value forums like this one.:huh:

Martin
08-04-2009, 11:32 PM
Good point. Heck, it will be interesting to see how everything is handled!!! :)

Johnsean
08-20-2009, 12:44 PM
Sadly, Lotus posted a big loss for this year.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED20%20Aug%202009%2007%3A29%3A32%3A917

Lotus report nearly £15m of losses - Norwich evening news

Still no CEO to lead the company.

Financially, Lotus has always been on the edge! Some things never change.

Autocross7
08-20-2009, 02:37 PM
:001_unsure:I am afraid that the M100 days are about to be a repeat... big plans, bright future, road to nowhere. :crying:

Cameron

WayneB
08-21-2009, 03:24 PM
Seems like Luke Bennett and the boys have another fight on there hands.

I'm sure they will uphold the companies tradition of surviving against the odds.

mario
08-21-2009, 11:05 PM
Sadly, Lotus posted a big loss for this year.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED20%20Aug%202009%2007%3A29%3A32%3A917

Lotus report nearly £15m of losses - Norwich evening news

Still no CEO to lead the company.

Financially, Lotus has always been on the edge! Some things never change.


I hope that Proton malaysians takes directly the control of Lotus without new ceo

eurosport
08-22-2009, 12:20 AM
I hope that Proton malaysians takes directly the control of Lotus without new ceo

:blink:

I'm sure this is not the best cycle to establish profit and loss, they just finished R&D on a new model they have yet to sell...:001_unsure:

Martin
08-22-2009, 05:40 PM
True, and this isn't really a good year for anyone in the auto biz.

WayneB
08-22-2009, 05:45 PM
At least the Polizei aren't battering the doors down at Lotus and ransacking through all the filing cabinets ATM.
(sorry Porsche lovers)
http://www.windofkeltia.com/allo/flickhelga.jpg

Johnsean
09-02-2009, 09:20 AM
Autosport have just announced that Dany Bahar is to be the new Lotus CEO.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78234
It appears Dany has been at Red Bull and Ferrari
I hope he is going to steer lotus in the right direction!
I need his new email so I can pester him with my project proposal (google: motorsort university malaysia)
In any event, I sincerely hope this proves to be a positive step forwards for Lotus.
John Mansfield