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IMPORTANT NOTICE! 12/12/2007
After the recent web server problems, Lotus, Ltd. has moved the site to a new service provider. However, the Members Area and Forums are currently offline. The members area database is being rebuilt. Wait for a January 1 update to the Forums section, as the previous version was corrupted by spammers... Happy Lotusing!
Malaysian Government To Ensure Win-Win Situation For Proton (Lotus Parent)
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Putrajaya, Malaysia - Bernama, October 9. 2007-- The Malaysian government says it will ensure that Proton Holdings' strategic partnership with the German car maker Volkswagen AG will be a win-win situation.
So far no decisions have been made on the matter yet, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said when responding to a question on whether he has set a date to meet the chief executive officer of Volkswagen.
According to a local report, the CEO of the German automaker, Martin Winterkorn, would be travelling to Malaysia to meet personally with the prime minister although the exact date for the discussion is yet to be set.
"I am meeting only when a decision has been made," he told reporters after chairing a meeting on the progress of the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) here today.
Abdullah said there had been many meetings, "but we have not finalised yet our agreement on any particular issue.
"So whatever subject if they want to speculate about at the moment is solely a subject of discussion," he said.
Asked on what was hindering the decision, Abdullah said: "We want to have this decision as soon as possible, but they have to take time.
"They want to be certain about everything, so we want to make very sure. They will be putting a lot of money, so they want to be sure," he added.
German Media Frenzy Over Possible
VW-Proton Alliance
By Manik Mehta
Frankfurt, Germany), Bernama, October 9, 2007 -- Germany's print and broadcast media, not to mention the specialised trade media, have been churning out reports over the past few days about an impending deal between Wolfsburg-based giant carmaker Volkswagen (VW) and Malaysia's national car company Proton.
Germany's leading dailies such as the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Die Welt and the Handelsblatt have been speculating that VW may finally be on its way to forming an alliance with Proton, by either acquiring a 20 percent stake in Proton or forming a joint venture company which would include Proton assets.
Later, VW might increase its stake in Proton to 50 percent. An indication to this effect was given by VW head Martin Winterkorn himself in a recent interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, when he said that VW would "move in that direction".
VW's acquisition of Proton will strengthen the German carmaker's position in Southeast Asia.
But VW, according to Winterkorn, would like to see the risks minimised and is also interested in Proton's extensive network of dealers and agents.
But he also emphasised in the interview that VW was "nowhere even near a due diligence". He would first see what concessions Malaysia had to offer.
However, German industry pundits said that VW could afford the luxury of waiting longer while the Malaysian side could not.
Indeed, VW will insist that the Malaysian government provides a "soft landing" cushion to compensate it against any losses at Proton for, at least, three years.
Winterkorn, who has been steering the management wheel at VW since last year, is expected to visit Malaysia "in the very near future", as one company spokesman said, without elaborating.
The "on-off-on" talks between the two sides were first initiated in October 2004 when the Malaysian side, no longer able to withstand the financial bleeding of the national carmaker, was desperately looking for a foreign partner who could either turn around the loss-making Proton or completely take over the company.
Most German analysts see the comments made by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as providing clues to Proton's future survival. Abdullah said recently that Volkswagen was studying Proton for a possible strategic deal that could help "save" the Malaysian carmaker.
The word "save" is the keyword here as it implies, according to German industry experts, that Proton faces a gradual corporate death if it is not quickly resuscitated by someone with the financial muscle of VW.
The VW management is, ostensibly, conscious of the fact that a deal with Proton would not only catapult the latter to regain the top spot in Malaysia's car market, but also enable it to get a foothold inside Europe which it has already tried in the past but was unsuccessful because of its high prices.
Due to Proton's plight, VW believes that it holds the better card in the corporate poker game.
VW seems to relish its unique position. With rivals General Motors and French carmaker Peugeot having withdrawn from partnership talks with Proton, VW is now the only one whom the Malaysian carmaker has to turn to.
The fact that Proton reported a loss of RM46.75 million in the first quarter to June has further strengthened VW's bargaining power because it knows that the Malaysian government will now be under pressure.
"It's a buyer's market," said Wolfgang Frank, a Frankfurt-based German analyst who works for a local bank and monitors the automotive market.
But a recent analysis by A.T. Kearny projects Malaysia as not relevant in the near future for carmakers, either as a market or as a production site.
The study, a copy of which the Duesseldorf-based Handelsblatt claims to be in its hands, has raised questions in German industry circles as to why VW wants to get involved with Proton.
A.T. Kearny's Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index, which reflects the investment plans of international corporate executives, showed that China and India lead the list of favourite investment destinations while Malaysia ranks 35th.
Frank Rattey, one of the authors of the study, said that the costs are much higher in Malaysia than China and the market is limited.
Also, the government does not want Malaysia as a production site but only as a site for high-value services, particularly for financial institutions.
According to Kearney, nearly half a million cars will leave the assembly lines of Malaysia's automobile plants this year.
A total of 15 car plants are based on the western Malaysian peninsula, where in addition to Proton, rival car manufacturers such as Perodua, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and the alliance partners Renault-Nissan assemble and build cars.
The biggest plant produces 250,000 units each year and is operated by Perodua together with Toyota.
The company produces cars under licence from the Toyota associate Daihatsu.
Perhaps, as German analysts speculate, the temptation for VW to join hands with Proton does not lie in Asia but in England where the British sports car plant Lotus, a Proton associate, is based. |
New American Automaker Selects Lotus Engineering
ATLANTA – Carbon Motors Corporation and Lotus Engineering jointly announced today that the two companies will collaborate on the development of the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
The first of its kind, this special purpose vehicle will provide a superior performing product with a much safer and more efficient operating environment for law enforcement officers, and offer a significantly lower total cost-of-ownership. A significant reduction in CO2 emissions is targeted in addition to a 30% - 50% fuel economy improvement.
William Santana Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Motors, remarked, “We have been seeking a world-class high technology engineering alliance that would help us provide the best possible vehicle for our country’s First Responders -- we have found that in Lotus Engineering. We thank the team at Lotus for joining the cause to provide the over 800,000 women and men in uniform patrolling our homeland with the appropriate equipment to help keep our cities safe. This project is projected to create well over 10,000 new direct and indirect American jobs with a positive economic impact of over $3 billion. Lotus will be playing a key role in helping us to achieve our goals. “
Lotus offers globally a full suite of automotive engineering services. They are capable of taking a project from initial concept and product design, through development, testing and prototype build, and can also provide high quality production support. Having been engaged by the majority of the world’s top automakers and suppliers, Lotus Engineering has been involved in the development of a number of innovative products including the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Opel Speedster, as well as its own portfolio of vehicles which Lotus Cars sells globally under its own brand.
“I am personally very excited at this opportunity to demonstrate, not only to the USA, but also to the world what two creative companies such as Carbon Motors Corporation and Lotus Engineering can achieve. We will do everything possible to ensure the success of this tremendously exciting, innovative and creative project which, in my personal view, will meet the needs of the law enforcement automotive segment in the USA,“ said Michael J Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus plc.
Trevor J Rudderham, Carbon Motors Vice President and Chief Development Officer, commented, “Lotus Engineering is a great fit with Carbon Motors. Their extensive experience with aluminum structures and composite materials ties in perfectly with our product assumptions. Their acknowledged expertise in vehicle dynamics and fuel economy aligns very well with our customers needs. Perhaps most importantly, however, their ‘change the rules’ mantra resonates strongly with Carbon Motors approach. I am expecting great things from this relationship.”
SImon Wood, Engineering Director, Lotus Engineering said “The innovative business model, strong product proposition and demonstrated market demand, combined with seasoned and experienced leadership provide the key ingredients to make Carbon Motors successful. Lotus Engineering is very keen and excited to bring our technical know-how to the project to not only ensure that the law enforcement customer’s needs are met, but also to demonstrate that the rules can indeed be changed in the automotive sector. Lotus’ reputation in the CleanTech arena is growing fast and our involvement with Carbon Motors will accelerate this trend with the high-tech clean diesel offered at the product’s launch and also by working on in-cycle actions for additional clean technology derivatives.”
About Carbon Motors Corporation
Carbon Motors Corporation is a new American automaker with an innovative business model. Carbon is developing and will manufacture, distribute, and service an all-new purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. The Carbon mission includes developing a new lower-volume capable vehicle platform, establishing a direct and efficient end-to-end supply chain, and continuing to foster public and private sector collaboration.
www.carbonmotors.com
Lotus Restructures Its USA Operations For Delivery of 5-Year Plan
September 20, 2007 Lotus News Release
In order to further streamline and realign Group Lotus operations worldwide, to meet the new 5-year strategic business plan, (which includes 3 new models and a rapid expansion of the Lotus Engineering technology business), effective today September 18, 2007, Michael J. Kimberley has assumed the role of President and CEO of Lotus Cars USA Inc (LCU) in North America, in addition to his existing role as CEO of Group Lotus plc.
This rationalization brings the two organizations of Lotus Cars Limited and LCU closer together to ensure optimal market input into the future new models and engineering activity in the USA.
Bob Braner continues to support Lotus in a new role as consultant for lifestyle marketing and special projects, reporting directly to Michael J. Kimberley.
Michael J. Kimberley
Chief Executive Officer - Group Lotus Plc
Eagle Lands Next Year, Followed by Esprit Replacement
EVO - September 3, 2007
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EVO - September 3, 2007
From the outside Lotus looks to be in a precarious position. Owner Proton is subject to a takeover bid, and while the Malaysian company’s homeland state-of-the-art manufacturing plant has huge appeal for potential buyers, a small, specialist sports car maker with a dodgy financial past, based in rural Norfolk, could seem like unwanted baggage.
" Production is now tailored to demand – we’re selling 65 cars a week and we’re making 65 cars a week" |
Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley (Photo above with Lotus founder Colin Chapman's image looking over his shoulder) confesses that he isn’t party to the machinations of the Proton takeover but he is adamant that whatever the outcome, Lotus has a future. In fact, he believes the company is now as strong as it has ever been – it has returned to profitability and plans to launch an all-new 2+2 at the London Motor Show in 2008 and the Esprit replacement a year later.
Debts Cleared
Kimberley’s optimism is founded on the fact that earlier this year the company’s shareholders agreed to recapitalise Lotus, effectively writing off £60million of accumulated debt. ‘It’s allowed us to clear the decks, to start anew,’ he explains, pointing out that if there hadn’t been confidence in the company’s future viability then such an action wouldn’t have taken place.
Debt elimination, however, is only a means of clearing up past mistakes and, since his return to Lotus in May 2006, Kimberley has been ‘busy’ turning the company into a profitable entity. ‘We’ve been through a period of painful right-sizing,’ he says, ‘and managed to bring down the break-even point from 6000 units to 3000 a year.
‘Production is now tailored to demand – we’re selling 65 cars a week and we’re making 65 cars a week. We’ve eliminated the build-up of stock, particularly in the US where the situation was out of hand and unsustainable. There’s a need to refocus Lotus on being a niche company, small enough that a ‘can do’ culture can flourish, as it did in Colin’s (Chapman) day.’
In March this year Kimberley presented the main Lotus board with a five-year strategic plan, the first time that the company has applied such a discipline. Kimberley insists that ‘you have to have a long-term vision and then stick to it’. One part of his plan has had to be dropped already, though – a Lotus-tuned version of the Proton Satria has been put on hold because of the uncertainty over who will buy the Malaysian company.
New 2+2
Kimberley is clearly passionate about Lotus’s forthcoming models, starting with Project Eagle, a 2+2 designed to sit between the Elise/Exige/Europa and the new Esprit, and due to debut at next year’s London motor show, on sale early in 2009. Teasingly he grants me a quick glance at pictures of the Eagle, which appears to be a mid-engined coupe with (very) occasional rear seating. Think Bertone-bodied Dino 308GT4 with a modern Lotus twist and you won’t be too wide of the mark. Price is likely to be sub-£50K ($100,000).
Unlike the Europa, the Eagle isn’t based on an Elise platform but it will use a bonded aluminium tub and glassfibre composite body. Kimberley won’t confirm where the engine’s coming from, but doesn’t argue with the logic of our guess at a Toyota unit, most likely a 3.2-litre V6 with about 300bhp.
Aston Engine?
Kimberley is less helpful regarding the power source for the next- generation Esprit, set for launch in late 2009, other than to say that he’s very excited about the deal Lotus has sealed with ‘a very well respected prestige car maker’. There’s been much speculation that the engine will be a BMW unit, but given the relationship Lotus has with Aston Martin – it designed and set up the alloy chassis and suspension of the Vanquish – and the desire to be ‘niche’ and ‘exclusive’, an Aston V8 would fit the bill equally well.
When we interviewed Kimberley in 2006, he had just reviewed progress with the Esprit and decided that it wasn’t extreme enough. It seems that the car’s dynamics are now much sharper, ‘more Lotus’, as befitting Hethel’s flagship £70,000 ($140,000) supercar.
Lotus Engineering
While all this has been going on at Lotus Cars, Lotus Engineering has been restructured and ultimately will be run as a separate outfit. It already has several Chinese-market projects on the go as well as half a dozen in the expanding Indian market, including a joint venture with an un-named Indian car-maker. Such is its confidence that Engineering has been able to poach Paul Newsome from Jaguar as MD.
LOTUS LTD. CLUB APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE!
Show pride in your club with custom Lotus Ltd. apparel - now available at the club store! Follow this link.
- Click : Lotus Ltd. Store to reveal a list of apparel items
- Click: on the item type you want
- You will be taken to a listing of the items with photos
- Click on the photo of the item, you will be taken to a page with a close up on the item with a description. The upper right hand corner will ask for the quantity and will ask you to choose a color.
- Then you will be taken to a page with a listing of size and price
- In the lower right is a box for packing slip text. This allows you to put a note with the shipment. It is not necessary to pt a note here.
- Just below that box is a link to select a logo.
- It will take you to a screen to select a logo. Pull that box down and click "Lotus Ltd. Car Club". At a future date there may be more than one type of logo available. Currently there is only one choice :Ltd. Car Club".
- Click "Add to cart" at the lower right.
- You will be taken to a list of the you have selected. Then click proceed to check out.
- You will be taken to a credit card order form. Fill out the boxes required. The shipping charge is automatically figured at the bottom of the form.
- Continue to check out to complete your order.
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