Earlier this year, Lotus officially announced its plans for a successor to its Esprit supercar. Today, the automaker announced it also is planning two other new models. The first of the new models is a Lotus/Proton high-performance model, due in May 2008. Following in December 2008, Group Lotus will introduce a new mid-range Lotus model.

Lotus also announced that the Esprit replacement has been to December 2009 to incorporate more Lotus “DNA” and offer other enhancements. Lotus was previously planning to launch the car in 2008.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Group Lotus ##

Solid 5 Year Plan Heralds 3 New Models
Group Lotus is set for a bright future with a greatly expanded and extended car model programme and new opportunities for the engineering business on a re-aligned basis.

Following a major review of the entire business and with the full support of Lotus Group International Limited (LGIL), Lotus’ holding company board, Lotus intends to launch two additional new models over the next three years. This is in addition to the new Esprit, which will top the range as the company’s future flagship sports car.

The two additional models will be a new mid-range Lotus set for launch in December 2008 and a Lotus/Proton high-performance model, due in May 2008. The introduction of the flagship Esprit replacement has been extended to December 2009 to incorporate more Lotus “DNA” and other enhancements to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace.

The review also highlighted opportunities for growth in the engineering consultancy business, including expansion in new markets, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus said: “We are very pleased to have secured LGIL Board approval for a high-level five-year strategic business plan - the first such approved plan that this company has had in the last six years. We have some great opportunities ahead of us and some already under way. It’s a very bright future but we have to work hard to bring all the opportunities to fruition.”

The current Lotus model range includes the award-winning and class-leading Elise and Exige with the recently-introduced Europa S. The three new models, all to be sold through the Lotus dealer network, will address new market segments and allow Lotus to extend its appeal to a wider customer base. Development work on two of the three new models is already ongoing and will increase significantly in future months.

Posted in: Lotus, Sports/GTs, Supercars, News
RSS 2.0 Feed | Comments | Permalink |  Email This Post