Lotus in dire straits

[voyager]

Lotus has moved to calm speculation that the crisis-hit British sportscar maker is in danger of being put into administration by releasing a statement - written in conjunction with CEO Dany Bahar - on the situation at Hethel.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/28...s_rumours.html

[paul8488]

What models is Lotus selling right now? Did anything come of the 4 or 5 prototypes they showed a few years ago? Seemed like an overly-ambitious plan, unless of course they never had any intention of building all / any of them.

[voyager]

Rumor has it that all new models are cancelled for the time being. Lotus still clinches to its 16 year old Elise and the 3 year old Evora.

[paul8488]

I take it the Evora hasn't been a hit? I really like it, but I never hear anything about it.

[paul8488]

I just checked out their website, I like a few of the concepts, but a few others are a little too 'already seen that' in design. They really should be concentrating on replacing the Elise, and introducing the Elan, which is my favourite of the 6 prototypes. After that, as much as I'd like to see a new Esprit, a 4-door might not be a bad idea to give Lotus owners something different to add to the collection.

[voyager]

I take it the Evora hasn't been a hit? I really like it, but I never hear anything about it.

Problem is that even in the UK the Evora S is more expensive than the present Porsche Cayman S which is the better car in terms of performance, handling and build quality. And there's gonna be a new Cayman next year... There's simply not enough room for small sports car makers to make an honest living, let alone to have enough money to make some serious investments. Maybe the Chinese can lend them a hand. Lotus sounds Chinese enough.

[LeSabre]

Maybe whoever acquires Saab can acquire Lotus as well.

These 2 companies could complement each other.

!!!

[germeezy1]

Colin Chapman's legacy is beginning to fade away despite the funding said to have already been procured by Mr. Bahar.

[syr74]

Historically Lotus always worked very well with Ford as there is a lot of great history in that tie-in to be sure. Sadly, to say that Ford is now soured on the idea of foreign brand tie-ins might qualify as the understatement of the century, so we know that isn't happening. Perhaps a role as a little, sportier brother to JLR in the Tata lineup would make for a good fit?

[F14CRAZY]

who's going to design everyone's suspensions?