DRB Hicom Says will consolidate Lotus and Proton - LotusTalk

Dylan · 12-04-2012, 05:07 AM

Proton Exora.

I kid you not.

Lotus to make UK comeback - General - New Straits Times

Lotustwn · 12-04-2012, 05:25 AM

C'mon!!!! Are they kidding or what?! They should just forget Proton for the US and European markets. It's not going to work.

Best they just concentrate on rejuvenating the Lotus brand and let Proton sell cars in Malaysia.

GuppyCaptain · 12-04-2012, 05:56 AM

Look on the bright side fellas, at least there's someone (anyone) who's trying to revive the brand and not shut it down.

XoXoX · 12-04-2012, 06:05 AM

Looks like they are using it as a way to sell Protons in the UK

.

I get a feeling that future Lotus is going to be a very 'limited' company.

.

XoXoX · 12-04-2012, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

Proton Exora.

I kid you not.

Lotus to make UK comeback - General - New Straits Times

Now, the midget van does have folding mirrors...

.

gray · 12-04-2012, 01:49 PM

I was in Malaysia a few years back and got a few rides in Protons, they aren't that bad.

Allan Gibbs · 12-04-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuppyCaptain

Look on the bright side fellas, at least there's someone (anyone) who's trying to revive the brand and not shut it down.

+1. Or, sell it at this point in time.

brgelise · 12-04-2012, 03:38 PM

Spreading the costs out over a greater lineage is a good thing. Anything to let Lotus work its way back to health post Dany!

addertooth · 12-04-2012, 04:34 PM

Exora, in the fine tradition of Lotus names. Let us take a look at this amazing racing baby!

gray · 12-04-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addertooth

Exora, in the fine tradition of Lotus names. Let us take a look at this amazing racing baby!

How does it handle?

Dylan · 12-04-2012, 04:51 PM

And people here laughed at the recent photos of a car with a front wing!

This baby has two specially designed upright airfoils to improve laminar flow, and wring every bit of performance from its obviously sporting heritage. I wonder if there's a Troy Queef review of the Proton Exora?

Lotustwn · 12-04-2012, 07:21 PM

Well seeing how DRB-HICOM has been assembling/manufacturing cars locally for VW, Mercedes-Benz, and Honda, they do have experience in running car companies-----so they might know a thing or two on how to save Lotus. I had originally thought they were just a corporate investment company.

Lotus' name is a very valuable asset/brand so I think we can rest assured they see the potential and won't start suddenly badging hethel cars as "Proton-Lotus".

But if they do assemble for Mercedes Benz, I personally wouldn't mind if they had some parts (like the interior!) done over there and sent back to Hethel!

6i9 · 12-04-2012, 11:19 PM

DRB Hicom think they can copy Porsche and offer an SUV to sell to the masses to help fund Lotus as a sportcar brand.

Except the Cayenne is actually a class leader and top quality performer for high end luxury buyers. And the Porsche badge has cachet that money can't buy. Neither Lotus and definitely not Proton have that brand appeal. Lotus may have some semblence of prestige, but having waited 5 months since buying Proton to announce any plans for Lotus, DRB have effectively devalued their newest purchase because neither customers, dealers, suppliers, or even employees feel safe or secure in these new hands.

The Exora is like choosing a Toyota Previa reject as your cash cow. To be sold in a continent reeling from financial woes and a shrinking new car market, of which remaining few dollars are NOT being spent on cheap ****ty Malaysian cars.

If this is the best DRB can come up with, Lotus and Proton and DRB will be belly up by next year.

KCZ · 12-05-2012, 05:02 AM

Umm, the Proton Exora has been in production since 2009 and has won a bunch of awards. It's not a Hail Mary to save Lotus.

MTLDean · 12-05-2012, 05:28 AM

I don't know what you guys are talking about. The article simply says they are committed to saving Lotus, not combining the two marques into a blob.

I wouldn't worry.

Dlamps57 · 12-05-2012, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTLDean

I don't know what you guys are talking about. The article simply says they are committed to saving Lotus, not combining the two marques into a blob.

I wouldn't worry.

+1

Using Lotus to bring recognition to their other brands isn't a bad thing for Lotus. It may be a very good thing if they believe keeping lotus small and exclusive (whether profitable or not), helps the overall bottom line as opposed to trying to make Lotus the next Porsche with SUVs and mass produced sedans.

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

arobot · 12-05-2012, 02:13 PM

Loton.
Or how about Protus.
I've been to KL. The proton cars driven by the cabbies were reminiscent of circa 1980's Chrysler K cars.

6i9 · 12-05-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTLDean

I don't know what you guys are talking about. The article simply says they are committed to saving Lotus, not combining the two marques into a blob.

I wouldn't worry.

My understanding is they will leverage Lotus engineering on Proton cars to improve Proton marketability. Theyve actually been doing this for years with little payoff

Proton Satria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

How does this help Lotus though? If anything it dillutes it even more I think...and it doesnt have the cachet of a Cayenne either to appeal to soccer moms/trophy wives

bfmdcc · 12-05-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTLDean

I don't know what you guys are talking about. The article simply says they are committed to saving Lotus, not combining the two marques into a blob.

I wouldn't worry.

Thats what the employees of Chrysler and Fiat were told... Or the employees of Jaguar and Tata...

12-04-2012, 05:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dylan Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,355	DRB Hicom Says will consolidate Lotus and Proton Proton Exora. I kid you not. Lotus to make UK comeback - General - New Straits Times

12-04-2012, 05:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
GuppyCaptain Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lake Wallenpaupack, Pocono Mountains, PA Posts: 1,178	Look on the bright side fellas, at least there's someone (anyone) who's trying to revive the brand and not shut it down. __________________ 2010 CO Elise SC (R.I.P) 2012 Solar Yellow Evora S

12-04-2012, 06:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
XoXoX 3Xtothe0[]ed Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NY Posts: 462	Looks like they are using it as a way to sell Protons in the UK . I get a feeling that future Lotus is going to be a very 'limited' company. . __________________ 2006 GG Elise Touring/HT/Starshield/Janspeed Stage II Sport exhaust/MM/Multivex/Nitto Invo replacements for rears [which are pretty damn good]

12-04-2012, 01:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
gray 3258 Mi. Of Lotus Wisdom Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 692	I was in Malaysia a few years back and got a few rides in Protons, they aren't *that* bad. __________________ 1 Evo IX + 1 Elise Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious Leave Out The Unnecessary Stuff

12-04-2012, 03:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
brgelise Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 2,503 Images: 9	Spreading the costs out over a greater lineage is a good thing. Anything to let Lotus work its way back to health post Dany! __________________ 04 Skip Barber Race School, Competition certificate 04 Jaguar XJ Vandan Plas Radiance Red Ivory leather 08 Isuzu Ascender Lux Flint Grey, Grey leather 10 Lotus Evora Persian Blue, Charcoal w/Ivory header 11 BMW Xdrive35d, Vermillion Red w/Cinnamon Brown 2005 Elise gone but never forgotten as it taught me to drive quickly!

12-04-2012, 05:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lotustwn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 199	C'mon!!!! Are they kidding or what?! They should just forget Proton for the US and European markets. It's not going to work. Best they just concentrate on rejuvenating the Lotus brand and let Proton sell cars in Malaysia.

12-04-2012, 04:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
addertooth Painful Novice Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,991	Exora, in the fine tradition of Lotus names. Let us take a look at this amazing racing baby! Attached Images __________________ Storm titanium 2005 Elise with carbon fiber spoiler, BWR sway bar, BOE toe links, gPan2, LidBone, sector 111 wheel studs, Grey RAC Monolite wheels with toyo R1R, Team Dynamics 1.4 with Hoosier A6/R6s, Katana2 Supercharger, ECU with 265 flash. PPE headers w/decat, CEL angle eliminator, Silent touch catback, Rear Panel Eliminator, HKS intake, V2 fuel tank, Walbro255 fuel pump. HID lights.

12-04-2012, 04:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dylan Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,355	And people here laughed at the recent photos of a car with a front wing! This baby has two specially designed upright airfoils to improve laminar flow, and wring every bit of performance from its obviously sporting heritage. I wonder if there's a Troy Queef review of the Proton Exora?

12-04-2012, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lotustwn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 199	Well seeing how DRB-HICOM has been assembling/manufacturing cars locally for VW, Mercedes-Benz, and Honda, they do have experience in running car companies-----so they might know a thing or two on how to save Lotus. I had originally thought they were just a corporate investment company. Lotus' name is a very valuable asset/brand so I think we can rest assured they see the potential and won't start suddenly badging hethel cars as "Proton-Lotus". But if they do assemble for Mercedes Benz, I personally wouldn't mind if they had some parts (like the interior!) done over there and sent back to Hethel!

12-04-2012, 11:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
6i9 Chris Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,468 Images: 1	DRB Hicom think they can copy Porsche and offer an SUV to sell to the masses to help fund Lotus as a sportcar brand. Except the Cayenne is actually a class leader and top quality performer for high end luxury buyers. And the Porsche badge has cachet that money can't buy. Neither Lotus and definitely not Proton have that brand appeal. Lotus may have some semblence of prestige, but having waited 5 months since buying Proton to announce any plans for Lotus, DRB have effectively devalued their newest purchase because neither customers, dealers, suppliers, or even employees feel safe or secure in these new hands. The Exora is like choosing a Toyota Previa reject as your cash cow. To be sold in a continent reeling from financial woes and a shrinking new car market, of which remaining few dollars are NOT being spent on cheap **ty Malaysian cars. If this is the best DRB can come up with, Lotus and Proton and DRB will be belly up by next year. __________________ 2005 Magnetic Blue Lotus Exige Drivetrain: Honda K20A Type R \| Innovative Mounts \| Arqray Ti \| Innovative Exhaust \| Custom Intake \| Hondata KPro \| proRAD \| Setrab Cooler \| Innovative Shifter \| KTuned \| V2 Fuel Tank \| Radium Coolant Tank \| Aero: Exige Clams \| Reverie \| TWRD \| Craftsquare \| Denag \| IMRP \| BSK Hatch Suspension: Nitron SA \| V2arms \| RTDbrace \| Volk CE28N \| Toyo R888 \| DBA4000 \| Pagid RS14 Interior**: Recaro SPG \| Willans \| WorksBell \| Sparco Wheel \| aspec Ti knob

12-05-2012, 05:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
KCZ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern New England Posts: 421	Umm, the Proton Exora has been in production since 2009 and has won a bunch of awards. It's not a Hail Mary to save Lotus. __________________ 2011 Evora S 2+2 in Persian Blue with Oyster 2003 350Z, Track edition 2011 Xterra, for 6 months of winter

12-05-2012, 05:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
MTLDean Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: MTL Posts: 636	I don't know what you guys are talking about. The article simply says they are committed to saving Lotus, not combining the two marques into a blob. I wouldn't worry.

12-05-2012, 02:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
arobot Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 233	Consolidation? Loton. Or how about Protus. I've been to KL. The proton cars driven by the cabbies were reminiscent of circa 1980's Chrysler K cars.

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