Published by Ash August 16th, 2007
in Lotus and Chinese Car News.
It seems the reports about the Lotus models being made in China that we reported the other appear not to be true. It seems there was a mix up in the Chinese media reports, the same reports that China Car Times reads. The management of Lotus sent out an email to staff which said:
The company does not normally respond to individual articles in the media, but occasionally we feel it necessary to comment directly to set the record straight about specific rumors that could affect staff morale or performance. There has been comment in the Chinese press that two Lotus sports cars will be put into production in China by the end of the year. This is not true. Staff has been briefed by [chairman] Mike Kimberley on plans for the company for the next five years. Those plans do not feature the manufacture of Lotus cars anywhere other than at Hethel. In future please treat such press comments with the scepticism (sic) they deserve.
It seems to be the Proton Gen2 which was developed in cooperation between Lotus and its parent company, Proton. The Gen2 will be renamed as the Europestar for the Chinese market, even though Lotus wont be made in China, we can still get excited about the Gen2.
Published by Ash August 11th, 2007
in Lotus and Chinese Car News.
Woo Yay! Lotus cars are finally coming to China, and we dont mean via the usual Shanghai port method at super high prices.
The deal will see bus maker, Jinhua Neoplan, based not too far from China Car Times in Jinan city (Provincial capital of Shandong) building the Lotus super cars from kits sent over from the UK and also making Proton vehicles, we’ve always wondered why Proton didnt come to China, it looks like they actually make some decent looking cars these days.
China Car Times is obviously surprised, and shocked by this deal - we really had no idea that Lotus were planning to start Chinese production, and if they were to choose a joint venture partner in China we thought they might choose someone who is already in on the sports car game, rather than a bus maker. Well, if Nanjing can go from truck making, to MG making we’re pretty sure Jinhua Neoplan can start knocking out Lotus and Proton cars.
Jinhua Neoplan is expecting to be rolling out 150,000 cars per year for the Chinese market. China Car Times can cancel the MGTF order, as we’re getting the Lotus Europa instead. Sorry.
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