22nd July 2008
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Lotus is Sixty and on Track with
the Five Year Plan
The Lotus Evora has arrived and will provide a solid
foundation for the future of Britain’s most exciting sportscar
company and engineering consultancy – Group Lotus plc
The Lotus Evora is first of the three new models that form part of a bold five
year strategic plan that CEO Mike Kimberley kicked off in October 2006. Lotus
will have a three-platform portfolio of sportscars, from the Elise family and her
sisters Exige and Europa, through to the new Evora 2+2 coupe, and the brand
flagship, a mid engine supercar entering the global marketplace in 2010.
Group Lotus and their 2+2 coupe, the Evora, is leading the motor industry into
a new era; an era where priorities of efficiency, economy and environmental
impact have to go hand in hand with performance, design and individuality.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc explains, “The
automotive industry is focusing on its obligations to reduce its share of global
CO2 emissions and improve overall efficiencies”
Lotus Engineering has highly respected technical abilities, and these are in
strong demand. “Our brand value of ‘performance through lightweight’ is
leading the automotive industry to produce lighter and more efficient vehicles.
We are continuing to research and develop new vehicles which utilise future
fuels, alternative engines, hybrid and electronic solutions for our next
generation of models.” Kimberley concluded.
Lotus is a dynamic and adaptable company, and the Lotus Evora is a perfect
example of this expertise. Conceived, and nurtured through complex
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engineering and advanced development programs before its release at the
British Motorshow in July 2008. A type approved sportscar ready for sale
around the world in just 30 months. Lotus doesn’t hang about!
Lotus Engineering meanwhile is recognised as one of the finest automotive
engineering consultancies in the world, and has an extensive global client
base. Almost 30% of all cars on the road have a little bit of Lotus in them; be it
engine design, chassis engineering, ride and handling development, or even
the overall styling. In the last two years, Lotus has delivered over 620 separate
engineering projects to more than 120 clients around the world - spanning
whole vehicle programmes for one of the world’s biggest car companies to a
study of how knee surgery will effect brake pedal effort for drivers after their
operations.
This year has already provided several highlights so far, and these include:
• Lotus Engineering has entered into a joint cooperation programme with
KACST, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology with the intention
to promote the establishment of an ecologically driven automotive technology
capability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• The acquisition of Lotus Lightweight Structures. This was following the
acquisition of Holden Lightweight Structures Limited, who manufacture Lotus
aluminium platforms and chassis, including those for the Elise, Exige, Europa
and the 2-Eleven along with aluminium and composite components for Lotus
Engineering’s extensive global client base.
• In February Lotus Engineering and Mubadala Development Company
(Mubadala) announced the signing of a long-term ‘Memorandum of
Understanding’ (MOU) with the joint aim to further enhance Abu Dhabi’s
position at the forefront of environmentally orientated technologies and
accelerate the development of its manufacturing and business infrastructure.
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• More recently in May 2008, Lotus and the Dutch Supercar manufacturer
Sypker reached an agreement on the outline of an intended cooperation,
which will include a Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement with Lotus as
the preferred engineering and parts supplier for Spyker's new C8 Aileron super
sportscar, and a concept Design and Engineering Agreement relating to
Spyker's future models.
Mike Kimberley and his experienced Lotus management team are credited
with turning the company around, and are nearly one third of the way through
delivering the ambitious five year plan with both the unveiling of the Lotus
Evora, and global growth of Lotus Engineering entering all-new markets of
China, India and the Middle East.
Mike Kimberley explains further, “I am pleased to say that my plan for Lotus is
on target, and the teams around the world has already done a terrific job. We
have exciting technologies and innovations in the pipeline, and most
importantly the group is returning to profitability. I would also like to take this
opportunity to personally thank our shareholders Proton Holdings Berhad for
their ongoing support to Lotus. Without their corporate guidance and
investment over the years, Lotus would not be in the position as it is today – a
world leader in a globally competitive market.
“Lotus Engineering will lead the way in finding solutions to reduce CO2
emissions, increase performance, improve efficiency and reduce weight in all
types of vehicles both for Lotus and our global engineering client base.
“The new Lotus Evora shows how Lotus can keep delivering quantum leaps
towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the motorcar. This is
keeping Britain at the forefront of high technology. We expect the motor
industry to follow our brand value of ‘performance through lightweight’. Surely
it’s the only way forward, as Colin Chapman and the last 60 years of Lotus has
proved!
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Ends
Notes For Editors:
About Group Lotus plc:
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has
two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering
is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in
Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur
(Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan, with rapid expansion in
new territories such as South East Asia and the Gulf States.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services
to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering
service from initial concept and project design through development and
integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and
customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle'
engineering and manufacture worldwide.
Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale
in 37 countries.
These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and
Europa. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding and committed to
driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients,
spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and
renewable fuels.
For further information please contact:
Public Relations
Group Lotus Plc, Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, NR14 8EZ
T: + 44 (0) 1953 60 8264
F: + 44 (0) 1953 608111
E: pr@lotuscars.co.uk
W: www.grouplotus.com