Geely To Take Control of Lotus

[Vroom101]

This just popped into my Twitter feed...

https://www.ft.com/content/d03d950a-d96c-3098-8d1f...

"China’s Zhejiang Geely will take a majority stake in Lotus as part of a deal to invest in the British sports car maker’s parent company Proton, according to two people with knowledge of the deal."

Could we eventually see a Volvo engined Elise? Stranger things have happened...

[Tuna]

Not sure how to feel about that.

On the one hand, some committed investment in the company could reap rewards when they've been working so hard to get their house in order.

On the other hand, we'll more than likely get another lurch in a different direction, projects cancelled, another five years until something new is ready and just long enough for yet another change in ownership/management.

[chandrew]

Seems like good news. They've done a wonderful job at Volvo.

[suffolk009]

I agree Volvo are much improved lately - but has some of that been because Saab are no longer.

Fingers crossed that Lotus and Geely make the best of the opportunity.

[Vroom101]

The article says that one of the reasons that Geely wants Lotus, is so it can use to company's expertise to benefit it's other brands. So I wonder if we'll see a Volvo with handling by Lotus?

Volvo already tune their cars for British roads (see the latest Volvo reviews, which all praise the ride comfort), so this could be an extension of that. I am tentatively optimistic about this move, let's hope it's good for the boys and girls in Hethel.






Edited as my tablet turned Hethel into Bethel!

Edited by Vroom101 on Wednesday 24th May 17:21

[leakymanifold]

Sounds similar to when when rover worked with honda...... so i'm looking forward to the interior of a lotus combined with the handling of a volvo in the next SUV

[Hungrymc]

I think this is great news. No car manufacturer can thrive without investment and Geely have shown very smart business sense with Volvo. They haven't diluted the brand at all and have in fact given them the leg up needed to be a serious competitor in several sectors. As have Tata with JLR.

As long as Geely have some genuine interest in Lotus and not just Proton, its great news for them both.

[SFO]

Hungrymc said:

I think this is great news. No car manufacturer can thrive without investment and Geely have shown very smart business sense with Volvo. They haven't diluted the brand at all and have in fact given them the leg up needed to be a serious competitor in several sectors. As have Tata with JLR.

As long as Geely have some genuine interest in Lotus and not just Proton, its great news for them both.

+1

[simonrockman]

I was tipped the wink on this last week by someone in the know who works closely with Lotus and he was delighted at the prospect. It's just what the company needs and if you look at how good Geely has been for Volvo (or Tatra for JLR) it could be fantastic.

Simon

[CTE]

The current management are incompetent...yes they have massaged the figures to show a profit and Gales has certainly improved the product, but there have been some woeful decisions behind the scenes and their treatment of staff, especially of females has been awful. Geely cannot be any worse...really...and with a bit of luck and the right investment strategy they can turn the brand around.

[Hedgerley]

A bit weird to think if I'd won the lottery last night I could have bought half of Lotus and still have £52m left over...

https://paultan.org/2017/05/24/drb-hicom-to-sell-l...

This is seriously good news, trailed for quite a while. Geely has done a great job with Volvo and has some very good engine, transmission and auto tech that Lotus will make good use of. Geely get access to Lotus lightweight and chassis technology. Whats not to like?

Edited by Hedgerley on Wednesday 24th May 12:55

[TooMany2cvs]

Last month, PSA were odds-on to buy Proton, since Geely said they were dropping out back in March.

[dunnoreally]

Vroom101 said:

This just popped into my Twitter feed...
Could we eventually see a Volvo engined Elise? Stranger things have happened...

Doesn't Volvo exclusively make turbo engines nowadays? I feel like the base Elise will only go FI when it absolutely has to.

I'm wondering more about what small NA engines Geely make themselves. From a recent-ish interview with Gales, it looks like the Elise replacement is going to be a bit heavier to comply with US crash regulations, so I suspect the little Toyota 1.6 won't quite cut it. Case may be there's a nice revvy 1.8 or 2.0 somewhere in the Chinese market just waiting to make its way over.

[Leggy]

Good news, my mate has a new Volvo, and although I have ribbed him constantly its a very good car.
Just have to get a pipe and trilby!

[Evilex]

Hopefully they'll see the potential in the Lotus brand, invest, and perhaps even broaden the model line-up.
One thing, though, NO SUV! (thanks!)

[Biggriff]

This has to be good news. Volvo are massively improved since Geely took control. My new XC90 is a really good car full stop. If they can do the same with Lotus it will be amazing.

The control interfaces on Lotuses should improve immeasurably (an area they always face criticism over) and access to hybrid technologies etc can only be good. I'm thinking of an Evora with (low weight) hybrid assistance become an awesome weapon.

Guess we will see Polestar Volvo's now with Lotus input and become a genuine BMW M Series or AMG competitor in time.

Remember they didn't buy it to destroy it.

[suffolk009]

Rumour on the internet is that PSA will end up with Proton, Geely with Lotus.

[The Wookie]

It's uplifting news but plenty needs to be sorted there for it to succeed, expect (hope for) big upheaval in the short term

I also await a Lotus branded XC90 to compete with the Cayenne/Range Rover sport, and then hopefully some great new British sports cars will follow

[simonrockman]

Volvo has said it won't now make anything bigger that a 2.0 4cyl. More power comes from electricity.

Gales will want something more traditional and has a model of hiking power out puts a bit, prices a lot and margins incredibly. The 500bhp Evora at £100k must be in the plans.

Simon

[suffolk009]

Isn't the standard joke about the Noble M600 engine that it's a Volvo? I know it's a Judd tuned Yamaha, but you see where I'm going....