Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom who own Lotus Cars have laid out a new three year plan following the sacking of former CEO Dany Bahar. The company was facing financial turmoil until last year when the change of ownership occurred. According to the new plan the company will focus on improving the existing portfolio as opposed to the previous plan of introducing six new models by 2015.
The company chief, Aslam Farikullah had earlier committed to keeping production of Lotus cars in the UK. The past one year was believed to be utilised by the parent company to settle the existing financial commitments of the company and to lay out the new blue print for the company’s future.
The new plan will imply that the production of the new Esprit supercar will be kept on halt. Instead, the company will introduce variants based on existing products, starting with the 2013 Lotus Elise S Club Racer, a stripped-out version of the Elise designed for the track.
Post takeover, Lotus Cars are believed to be on a gradual upward climb. The company has already sold 80 cars by the end of May as compared to 70 units all through 2012. As part of the revival, the company has also opened merchandise stores in the UK.
