Lotus plots out product plans, new Esprit delayed until 2009

Newswheel staff :: 25 September 2006 :: Filed under Mid / rear engine sportscar, Lotus, Europe & UK, US

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Three new(-ish) cars

Worrying command-economy connotations aside, just what to make of Lotus’s recently announced new five-year plan? Well, Lotus is certainly the sort of company where a major meltdown has always seemed a realistic possibility, even during the rudely healthy heyday of the Elise. Whatever, the company has announced a new mid-range model for 2008, along with a new Lotus/Proton high performance car and the delay of the Esprit until the fag end of 2009.

No technical details of the new models have been divulged. However, a press release penned by Lotus Boss Mike Kimberley reveals that the Esprit has been delayed with a view to incorporating “more Lotus ‘DNA’ and other enhancements to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace.”

The company also confirmed that production of the Elise and Exige models had recently been reduced. Add in the obligatory reference to “belt-tightening” and a rather euphemistic mention of “right-sizing” the workforce (rather than down-sizing), and the result is a rather challenging outlook for Lotus.

Lotus claims it has the full support of major shareholder Proton for its realignment plan.