Lotus Halts Development Of Future Models

Lotus is “officially” on lock-down as the British car-maker suspends much of its new model development – including the new Esprit. In a recent interview with EVO, Lotus boss Dany Bahar admitted that much of the company’s development of new models has been suspended following the Malaysian government’s decision to sell its majority stake in Proton. The company’s takeover regulations require all involved parties to enter into a “lockdown” of anything outside of normal business activities.

“This difficult period for Lotus finishes at the end of March and that’s
when we will know then whether DRB-Hicom will want to continue with our
business plan,” Bahar noted, “I really hope they will but I cannot call it at the moment, it’s still 50-50.”

Production is still on-going for current models but at a much reduced capacity but there will be significant delays for the Exige S and Evora GTE models making it to showroom floors. Lotus says they already have 400 orders in place for the new Exige S.

In the meantime, Lotus is still carrying on with all of its motorsport activities and will be the featured marque at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. With such rich racing heritage we can only hope Lotus survives this difficult time.

Source of scoop EVO