Bahar Suspended

[Hedgerley]

Oh dear. I wonder what the review has uncovered. But innocent until proven guilty I guess.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/group...

[bobo]

hang him !

[ravon]

At long last somebody has done something sensible at Lotus, bet the "lifers" are celebrating ? Wonder how many of his highly paid mates will follow him down the road ? Wonder if the local builder owed £100K for the final third payment for refurbishing his rented, Lotus paid for, house will ever get his day in court ?

[Hedgerley]

The EDP page has just been removed for some reason but the news is doing the rounds -

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/group...

The original piece did say temporarily suspended which is the right thing to do whilst investigations are under way. As for why, I've given up speculating - there are so many permutations given Lotus' recent travails it makes my head hurt.

Its a real shame given all the rave reviews of the Exige S and the Evora GTE as well as their success on track in various formulae.

[Scuffers]

Hedgerley said:

The EDP page has just been removed for some reason but the news is doing the rounds -

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/group...

The original piece did say temporarily suspended which is the right thing to do whilst investigations are under way. As for why, I've given up speculating - there are so many permutations given Lotus' recent travails it makes my head hurt.

Its a real shame given all the rave reviews of the Exige S and the Evora GTE as well as their success on track in various formulae.

why?

the two cars you mention had stuff all to do with Danny-boys masterplan...(and whilst we are here, what "their success on track in various formulae" are you on about?)

[andyps]

The report on Autocar says temporarily suspended - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/lotus-b...

[Scuffers]

andyps said:

The report on Autocar says temporarily suspended - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/lotus-b...

true, although if he has the iron-clad contract that's been reported, then this would be a good way to get shot of him without being bound by said contract.

[andyps]

Scuffers said:

true, although if he has the iron-clad contract that's been reported, then this would be a good way to get shot of him without being bound by said contract.

Good point! Breach of contract would help get rid without needing a large pay-off. But temporary suspension whilst they investigate to make it look right.

[Eliser]

Indycar debacle should be enough to get him fired - Lotus are becoming a joke.

[Hedgerley]

Scuffers said:

why?

the two cars you mention had stuff all to do with Danny-boys masterplan...(and whilst we are here, what "their success on track in various formulae" are you on about?)

I am not claiming they were Scuffers - I was referring to Lotus generally, not Dany per se. Regardless of yours/my views on Dany, the fact is that Hethel is producing some outstanding cars at the moment (I forgot to mention the Elise S is getting rave reviews as well), the best in the world in their segment if the motoring press are to be believed.

And as for the on track success (and yes I accept most are in name only), the results in F1, GP2, GP3 and most recently GT4 have seen the Lotus name up at the front of the grid and on the podium (notwithstanding the Indycar debacle, although I read Alesi has actually qualified for the Indy 500).

This can't be a bad thing, surely?

The point is that only outstanding product will secure the future of the car side of the business and on recent evidence Lotus are succeeding, with great hopes for the new Esprit. Whether you or I believe Dany is responsible or not is irrelevant to that fact.

[bobo]

OBJECTION - that's far too much common sense for a lotus forum ...

Hedgerley said:

I am not claiming they were Scuffers - I was referring to Lotus generally, not Dany per se. Regardless of yours/my views on Dany, the fact is that Hethel is producing some outstanding cars at the moment (I forgot to mention the Elise S is getting rave reviews as well), the best in the world in their segment if the motoring press are to be believed.

And as for the on track success (and yes I accept most are in name only), the results in F1, GP2, GP3 and most recently GT4 have seen the Lotus name up at the front of the grid and on the podium (notwithstanding the Indycar debacle, although I read Alesi has actually qualified for the Indy 500).

This can't be a bad thing, surely?

The point is that only outstanding product will secure the future of the car side of the business and on recent evidence Lotus are succeeding, with great hopes for the new Esprit. Whether you or I believe Dany is responsible or not is irrelevant to that fact.

[Hedgerley]

Well I try my best....

And as for the success of ACTUAL Lotus product and an ACTUAL Lotus team Scuffers - this is really happening. We should rejoice!

http://www.lotuscars.com/gb/news/racing/evora-gt4-...

Here's the Malaysian take on Thursday's Board meeting -

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/artic...

So, he has been suspended by Proton, not DRB and only until the end of the review. Odd. I think its significant that the Group MD resigned on the same day. The financing bit is worrying - were Dany and the Group MD in cahoots?

However, tucked away in the piece is another decision made at the Board meeting - that the Board "had decided not to sell its stake in Lotus".

Whether that's a good or bad thing will no doubt be debated, but hopefully it brings some stability for the guys at Hethel. With or without Dany!

Edited by Hedgerley on Saturday 26th May 01:27

[PiB]

Reminding him who's boss that's all?

[marshalla]

Hedgerley said:

So, he has been suspended by Proton, not DRB and only until the end of the review. Odd. I think its significant that the Group MD resigned on the same day. The financing bit is worrying - were Dany and the Group MD in cahoots?

Maybe related to the creation of "Lotus Youngman" ?

[forzaminardi]

Oh dear, no more fancy haircuts and nice suits.

[marshalla]

Update : http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/speculation_over_l...

[RYH64E]

Scuffers said:

true, although if he has the iron-clad contract that's been reported, then this would be a good way to get shot of him without being bound by said contract.

Irregularities that are overlooked when things are going well are often used as a convenient (cheap) way out of a contract as and when necessary.

It's interesting that the complaint has come from DRB Hicom not Proton, you would expect Proton to have a lot more information about the Lotus/Bahar setup than the parent company, so maybe DRB were looking for (and found) something that they could use?

[JCW]

Suspect they were looking for an excuse and will probably hang him out to dry for spending company money on house improvements. On a rented property, no less. Allegedly.

[Fire99]

Regardless of individual blame, Current P.R at Lotus is appalling. It has hallmarks of a higher budget TVR esque fiasco..

What Lotus needs more than anything is some consumer confidence. Another complete shake-up at 'Camp Lotus' is on the cards methinks.

[Tuna]

Scuffers said:

why?

the two cars you mention had stuff all to do with Danny-boys masterplan...

I love that even when they do produce cars that people praise to the roof, it's still used as proof that they're doing the wrong thing.

What are they meant to do whilst new cars are being developed? Just kill off the current range and stop selling vehicles?

I'm still not clear if the Exige V6 is an Evora under the skin, or a stretched Exige. Either way, even if it was around as a mule it doesn't just magically get approval, complete the design and engineering work and arrive on stands at car shows without someone making a decision a good while ago. MJK didn't have it in his plan either as far as I've heard, so why make a meal out of it not being part of the 'masterplan'? Plans change, and in this case we get some great cars as a result.