Is Lotus still independant?

[YSSMAN]

I have to say that I am more interested in an Exige than an Elise, but the prospect of the new Esprit replacement is rather interesting... Although I hope they make a good choise in the engine department...

 

[xXSilencerXx]

I thought they used to be owned by GM and were sold to Proton.

 

[niky]

It's either GM-Bugatti-Proton or Bugatti-GM-Proton. I'm not sure of the order. This is of course the old "new"Bugatti, the one that produced the EB110 and failed (spectacularly) to make any money off of what was undoubtedly a great car.

 

[Dave A]

I'm not following you there, Bugatti never owned Proton or any part of Proton. GM don't own Proton either, GM USED to own part of Lotus but sold it to Proton.

 

[YSSMAN]

GM had a hold on Lotus for quite a while if I recall... The Elan was a good example of GMs handywork at Lotus... A few of the parts were shared with the W and F body cars of the '80s and '90s... Then again, Lotus had its fair share of influcence on GM... Mostly with the Northstar and LT5 engine developments.

 

[niky]

Bugatti did own Lotus completely. I read that up somewhere on a story regarding the spectacular failure of the Bugatti company (version 2.0? Which makes the current one Bugatti 3.0? ) that went belly up with the EB110. A classic story of money, ego and a total lack of common sense.

British sports carmaker Lotus was founded by racing enthusiast Anthony Colin Chapman. After focusing early on modifying existing cars and buiding racecars, Lotus started developing road-going sports cars, such as the Elite and Elan, in the late 1950s and early '60s. In 1975, the Lotus Esprit, a wedge-shaped sports car that later earned immeasureable fame by appearing in two James Bond films, debuted. While building impressive sports cars has never been a problem for Lotus, maintaining financial stability has. In 1986, General Motors took full control of Lotus and created Lotus Cars USA in 1987. That relationship lasted until 1993, at which point GM sold Lotus to Bugatti. Bugatti's ownership was even shorter; Lotus was sold to a Malaysian firm in 1996. The same year, Lotus began producing the flyweight Elise, a car that would quickly become the company's main product. The Elise was finally imported to North America in 2004 after safety and emission considerations were overcome.

 

[Dave A]

Oh right I get your other post now, it was probably something to do with alcahol consumption but I miss-read your other post. I saw it as a kind or FIAT Maserati thing you were getting a, FIAT owned Ferrari who in turn owned Maserati. I thught you were saying GM owned Bugatti who in urn owned Proton, but it was GM owned Lotus, then Bugatti then Proton 👍.

 

[niky]

I want whatever you're drinking. 👍 anyway.

 

[Danny]

To be fair, considering the Elise S2, Exige, Sportexige, Elise Track Car, Forthcoming Europa and possible new Espirit, Proton are doing a fine job.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I wouldn't say they are doing a fine job, but I would say they were smart enough to sit back and reap the profits without raping the brand.

 

[Raghavan]

To be fair, considering the Elise S2, Exige, Sportexige, Elise Track Car, Forthcoming Europa and possible new Espirit, Proton are doing a fine job.

Yes, they're doing a fine job by leaving Lotus alone and giving them money, while profiting off of this too.

 

[eliseracer]

possible new Espirit

puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhleez!

 

[Danny]

??

Do you know something I don't?

 

[Dave A]

As in, it's not possible, it's definite maybe.

 

[eliseracer]

??

Do you know something I don't?

Dude, the car is called the Esprit:

e-s-p-r-i-t

 

[Dave A]

Well spotted, just a typo mind.

 

[eliseracer]

Some people think it actually is called the e-spirit, which is well, uhm, embarassing...