Who Should Swoop In And Save The Brand? Lotus Laying Off A Quarter Of Workforce

Lotus has had a difficult past few years. Its now former CEO, Dany Bahar, was canned after a short and controversial tenure, and parent company Proton was sold as well. In the meantime, production has remained on existing models such as the Evora and Exige, but nothing really in the way of expansion and the development of new models, such as a reborn Esprit.

Today, however, we’ve been given an update directly from Group Lotus, and it's not very good news.


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Agent009 - 9/19/2014 1:06:08 PM

+3 Boost

That would be a pretty cool crown jewel for Toyota. They are already using Toyota engines and the technology would be a good marriage with supply chain and knowledge.

Look at what Fiat and Audi have done with Ferrari and Lamborghini.

MDarringer - 9/19/2014 7:06:14 PM

+2 Boost

I have to agree. The Scion FRS with a real Toyota engine could be the basis for exactly the kind of car Lotus needs: one that is affordable, reliable, and fun to drive (assuming they can put some real power into it).

The problem with Lotus is that their cars are so skewed toward track junkies that they are not that "streetable" as daily driver cars.

A Lotus "MR2" would be another good move.

Lotus should leave the "plastic shouty things" to the resurgent TVR.

Terry989 - 9/19/2014 2:27:28 PM

+2 Boost

gree, Toyota wold be a good match. Since Lotus already uses Toyota Engines, they can keep this revenue stream going while migrating some of the wonderful lotus chassis dynamics into future sports cars. Hopefully they can them legalize the new Exige in the US!

MDarringer - 9/19/2014 8:44:26 PM

+2 Boost

The problem with Lotus's products is that they are not market relevant, thus the lack of demand.

222max - 9/19/2014 4:33:16 PM

+2 Boost

Another British brand that needs to be bailed out. Are there any that have been able to remain self sustained?

40flash - 9/19/2014 11:04:48 PM

+2 Boost

As a former (reformed) Lotus junkie I think that Lotus had a few brilliant designs that were under developed and never competitive with the up-scale market cars they were trying to compete with. Should have stayed an affordable brand. They were a little more competitive down there and did offer a lot of fun for the money. I had three Europas and a Super 7 and loved them all, (when they were running.)

iamdabest1 - 9/21/2014 1:16:21 AM

+1 Boost

reliability and the fact that you cant have them as daily drivers is clearly a problem that is hurting them. Even Maserati is goin down a level to make a ghibli that people can use daily.
the m4, corvette, both great daily drivers and weekend track cars that aren't too bad to maintain.
resale value of lotus on EBAY is pretty bad as well, they need to offer 5 year warranty on all parts...