I guess it's true http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-16/billionaire-syed-mokhtar-s-drb-hicom-to-buy-control-of-lotus-owner-proton.html
Proton is sold - and Lotus along with it. There's been no discussion yet about Lotus' fate, but it's expected that the new owner of Proton will sell off Lotus to recoup some of their investment, and to dump the money-losing division before Bahar runs it totally into the ground. Here's hoping that the buyer of Lotus from Proton's new owners will dump Bahar as their very first task!
Yes...to the poor house. The money Bahar borrowed from investment banks is greater than the sale price of Proton; and Proton guaranteed the loans.
I'd hope a large concern committed to Lotus' success takes over. Audi's ownership of Lamborghini is a good example.
The Evoque was a Ford design. Notice its similarity to the new Explorer. Tata benefited from the new designs Ford created for Jaguar and Land Rover just before their sale.
not suprised by the above. i knew all those future model intros lotus displayed last year were overly ambitious. dont know how audi made lambo so successful. thats an amazing story that doesnt get as much credit as it deserves
Yup. I think the jury is out on Tata, but at least promotionally, they seem to be doing a fine job. Designs need another cycle before anyone can pass judgement, but I am optimistic.
I always thought Danny B was a lot of smoke, mirrors, & BS, but I remained hopeful. The cycle of Lotus being purchased, well-funded, bullish about new models, etc. seems to be the automotive equivalent of the movie "Groundhog Day", but they have stayed in business all these years.
I would bet the Chinese car companies are just itching to get their hands on Lotus. Its an exact fit. The Chinese have plenty of cash and production capacity but low on IP and design capability. Thats exactly what Lotus has. The company which bought MG-Rover maintains a design centre in the UK so for another China company to own Lotus would give them a huge competitive advantage.
