Lotus going down the tubes?

Question

Lotus going down the tubes?

thruthefence (Aerospace)

(OP)

30 Sep 12 15:14

Anyone from the UK have any information?

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/problems-at-lot...

TomDOT (Materials) · Answer 1 · 2012-10-01 09:28:04

The Lotus dealer in North Austin shut down not all that long ago...

btrueblood (Mechanical) · Answer 2 · 2012-10-01 10:43:36

They can't quit until I've had time to schedule my midlife crisis!

TomDOT (Materials) · Answer 3 · 2012-10-01 10:48:56

Get a Tesla.

dgallup (Automotive) · Answer 4 · 2012-10-01 11:19:45

I think they may be next.

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MintJulep (Mechanical) · Answer 5 · 2012-10-02 16:22:54

Not to worry. I'm sure the Chinese or Indians will buy it - or at least the name.

Pud (Mechanical) · Answer 6 · 2012-10-02 16:57:06

Mint, close call - Lotus Owners
H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

It's ok to soar like an eagle, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

GregLocock (Automotive) · Answer 7 · 2012-10-02 18:38:45

At a guess Lotus Cars hasn't made a profit since the late 60s, if then. Admittedly a lot of that was due to Chapman financing his interests (good on him). Lotus Engineering probably made money now and again. The corporate fit with Toyota was non existent, GM Germany hated us cos we creamed off the fun jobs, and I imagine Proton are a bit bemused by Hethel.

Cheers

Greg Locock

New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

mattsooty (Automotive) · Answer 8 · 2012-10-02 18:56:24

My experiecne of Lotus (both Cars & Engineering) where back in the days of Malcolm Sandford, Gary Reid, Rupert Bailey etc. Some very, very clever guys that seemed to run matters well but were almost starved of anything exciting & profitable to.

From a powertrain point of view, Engineering had very little to do with Cars and save for some small time european gasoline engine work & overspill diesel work, plus the tail end of large GM project there was nothing. Not that they couldnt do it - it just didnt seem to be done there?

In my field of 'expertise' they now just do not have the infrastructure to begin a serious project and this is a huge detriment to them.

It really is a shame that, when Cosworth Engineering was bought by Mahle, Lotus was never bought by a viable owner, somebody who would invest in the place and make it work.

Still, Norwich is nice & I've had some good nights out down Prince Of Wales Road.

MS

GregLocock (Automotive) · Answer 9 · 2012-10-02 19:21:26

Ah, I was there just before you, I knew both the Sandfords.

Cheers

Greg Locock

New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

mattsooty (Automotive) · Answer 10 · 2012-10-02 19:41:22

It's a small world!

As far I know Malcolm is still a Big Cheese on the engine side with Jaguar, don't know about Ralph but heard he went to Caterham.
Both very clever guys but polar opposites on the 'driven' front!

MS

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Lotus going down the tubes?