Lotus’s owner Geely is already working on ambitious plans for its new British subsidiary, having completed its purchase of a majority stake in the Norfolk-based maker only two months ago.
This includes a decision on whether to produce a Lotus SUV that will be made very soon. Geely executives are already considering which platform it would be built on, the most obvious candidate being the Compact Modular Architecture that underpins both the Volvo XC40 and Lynk&Co 01. The flexibility of this platform means that it has been designed to accommodate high-performance applications including cars featuring a powered rear axle.
Lotus CEO: sports car production stays in Norfolk; SUV could go elsewhere
Beyond SUV plans, Geely is determined to keep Lotus making sports cars, and also sees strong growth potential in the brand. At the launch of the Lynk&Co 01 in China last week, Geely boss An Cong Hui said he was keen to emphasise how important his new subsidiary is. “We are making plans; we want to bring back the heritage of Lotus to be one of the top performers in the luxury sports car segment,” he said. “Lotus used to be ranked alongside Ferrari and Porsche, so we need to come back in that rank again.”
The acquisition of Lotus was part of a bigger deal that saw Geely take a 49% stake in Lotus’s former owner, Proton, and which was done to give Geely right-hand-drive production capability. But company insiders say the chance to take control and unlock the potential of Lotus was a huge part of the appeal, especially to Cong Hui.
Lotus has been struggling for investment cash for years, ever since former boss Dany Bahar’s grandiose plans to launch five all-new models was scrapped back in 2012. Although Lotus has returned to modest profitability – and, as we reported early this year, had started working on plans for an SUV – model development for the past five years has been restricted to tweaking and tucking the existing line-up.
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@289
ferraris aren't "all that" either! there is no greater example of "buying the badge" than ferrari, especially the old ones. don't forget why lamborghini esists, or that the lotus was - is - always the best set up.
Esprit & Elan
What Lotus needs for the future..
1. A brand new Esprit. A higly modified CX-75 engine with plus 600 HP. Lightweight structure approx 300 lbs lighter than the new McLaren 720 S. A tag at circa of £200000. They must offer something more exciting than just a Ferrari 488 with twin turbo.
2. A brand new Elan including a new 26 R. Pricetag around £70000-110000.
Not to mention
all the Excel v 944 tests I read. Lotus was right there with (and ahead of) Porsche for many years.
Wippersnappers!
Exactly
Excel vs 944/924 and Esprit vs 911. The only Porsche Lotus didn't compete with was the 928.
The Esprit Turbo could also go head to head with the 308 and Jalpa. Lotus was in the mix back then and definitey has the heritage through its road cars and racing cars to go back up market. No doubt about it.
@ Lamcote
...Oh Please!....in performance maybe - just!
But no one ever took Lotus as a serious Ferrari competitor....not even when James Bond drove one!
I am surprised Autocar even prints tosh like this. Geeley are dreaming...again.
What Lotus needs (if it is ever to survive), is a healthy dose of realism....sort of back to basics thinking. This sort of tripe - pitching for the stars with no basis, will see them dissapear - for good.
I am old enought to remember the so called heady days of the 70's and Lotus Espirit was never 'all that'