Proton announce 5 year plan for Lotus

[Johnsean]

In todays news. The Star (http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/23/business/6526555&sec=business)announced that Lotus will be turned around and be profitable by 2015.
SUBANG JAYA: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd hopes to transform its British sports car manufacturer Group Lotus plc into a profitable company under a five-year transformation plan.
Group Lotus plc chief executive officer Dany Bahar said one of the main strategies under the five-year plan was for Lotus to enter into the premium sports car segment alongside Porsche and Ferrari.

It looks like Lotus will no longer be a niche vehicle manufacturer. Commercially, has been a bit of a disaster, so I can understand Proton wanting to change.

I just hope they manage to keep the "Uniqueness" of Lotus.

[Andy B]

So my understanding is the regular guy will have to sell his house and live in a tent to buy a new Lotus or he will only be able to afford a Lotus during the "Banger" years, somewhere between new and collectable:D

[WayneB]

I will believe this when I see it.

It seems quite contradictory in light of some of the penny pinching cost cutting measures that are currently being practised by Lotus management.

http://frmarkdwhite.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/little-engine.jpg

[clockwork]

So, the new Esprit will be launched in four years time and it will cost a lot more than we thought. :yawn:

[proracer]

I can see trouble down the road!

I thought that Lotus was in a niche market anyway.....

Jim

[clockwork]

All will be revealed at the Paris motorshow,the New Dawn will begin,the Old Dawn will be taking early retirement to spend more time with her family.:)

[WayneB]

Looking forwards to seeing Paris in the new car(I think)

She may be a better bet than Naomi Campbell:(

http://glambamm.com/images/paris-hilton-pink-car.jpg

Does this mean a new jewell encrusted Lotus badge though?

[mario]

http://www.quattroruote.it/news/articolo.cfm?codice=256267 :icon18:

Translate in english

A new Lotus will debut exactly one hundred days of the Paris Motor Show, scheduled from September 30 to October 17. In all probability this is the Esprit, the coupe in which Lotus will return among the largest producers of sports cars to use the statement that was issued to Danny Bahar Quattroruote.it. The Porsche in the viewfinder. It is no secret, in fact, that the ambitions of the Lotus go well beyond the production of the Elise and its derivatives. I am convinced that the Lotus where it is today is not the right place said the CEO of the House of Hethel, suggesting, none too subtly, that the goal was and is to compete (commercially speaking, of course) none other than the Porsche. In advance. The head of the style, Donato Coco, a former Ferrari Lotus landed at the end of last year, must have put to work immediately on the design of future Esprit, which probably will make his debut - at least in static form - ahead of time envisaged by Bahar (in 2012, he said) . The dawn of a new era Meanwhile, with a teaser delivered directly into the inboxes of newsrooms around the world, Lotus began to raise expectations, with slogans rather challenging as well, thought you'd seen everything there is to see Expect the unexpected and be prepared to witness the dawning of a new era for Lotus. CDG

source WWW.QUATTRORUOTE.IT

[WayneB]

I was hoping (praying even) that the new management would have gotten Giugiaro to style the new Esprit, but in light of the recient news that Ital-Design /Giugiaro has been sold to Volkswagen its not likely at all.

If this car turns out looking like a dogs dinner I will be the first one to throw rocks at Donato Coco.:mad:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/diu/lev24.jpg

[eurosport]

http://www.quattroruote.it/news/articolo.cfm?codice=256267 :icon18:

Translate in english

A new Lotus will debut exactly one hundred days of the Paris Motor Show, scheduled from September 30 to October 17. WWW.QUATTRORUOTE.IT

It's settled then, Lotus will introduce the lightest, best handling SUV yet based on the VVA APX concept introduced at Geneva in 06 powered by a SC V6 with additional hybrid powertrain available. The Lotus-designed 300 hp SC 3 ltr V6 developed with the APX giving it a 5 sec. 0-60 time will be licensed and produced by Proton for their cars allowing Proton to move up-market to larger family vehicles expanding into the burgeoning middle class market in China. The powerplant will be further licensed for use in other marques including in a collaborative effort with Toyota. The Evora'a 414h hybrid powertrain with the Lotus range extender engine will also be featured with potential for a full electric powertrain in development with technology gleaned from Lotus' stillborn collaboration with the ill-fated ZAP-X concept. Lotus' expertise at designing lightweight vehicles was recently demonstrated for the automotive world by reducing the weight of a production Toyota Venza crossover vehicle by 25%. In identifying Porsche as a target entity, Lotus shows their hand in realizing that the crossover SUV is the key to financial health as Porsche's current financial salvation rested squarely on the tires of the Cayenne. With this move, everyone will pretty soon bloody well know the difference.



OK, I made all that up but it could happen....:wolverine:

[WayneB]

I will buy that SUV!:ohmy:

Eric, you should be working for Lotuses PR dept. as your stuff is alot more believeable.:lol:

[eurosport]

I will buy that SUV!:ohmy:

Eric, you should be working for Lotuses PR dept. as your stuff is alot more believeable.:lol:

Too bad nobody else bought it, they had the technology all worked out 5 years ago. :( Lotus have a lot better chance if they can just sell the VVA to others, not just produce models based on it. :corkysm43: