According to media reports, British sports car manufacturer Lotus said on April 27 that it would invest more than 2 billion pounds (approximately US$2.8 billion) in the development of new technologies and large-scale expansion of its sports car models. The company also stated that they hope to become a brand that only sells electric vehicles by 2028.
Lotus said its parent company Geely and Malaysia-based Etika Automotive will provide funding to increase its global production from 1,500 to tens of thousands a year, and these vehicles will be sold at dealerships and online.
Future related cooperation plans
The company's plans include the establishment of a new Lotus factory in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Matt Windle, general manager of the company, said that with the support from Geely, Lotus has established a new automated spraying workshop in its British factory. In addition, thanks to Geely’s relationship with suppliers, Lotus has obtained better supplies. price.
When asked how much Lotus will invest, Windle stated that the investment amount will be "more than 2 billion pounds." He also said that Lotus hopes to become a pure electric brand in 2028, when the company will usher in the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the brand. Windle said that the specific date for Lotus to complete pure electric will depend on the popularity of Emira models, but he also said: "At least we will become a pure electric brand before 2030."
The company also said that its first pure electric supercar Evija will be put into production later this year. Evija will be produced in a limited edition of 130 vehicles, each priced at approximately £2 million. As part of the cooperation with Renault, Lotus is also developing a new electric sports car platform, the new platform will be used on Lotus and Renault Alpine brand models, the platform will also be provided to other car companies.
Lotus is looking to the future
Lotus plans to launch its last internal combustion engine sports car EMIRA in July this year, with a price of between 45,000 and 100,000 pounds. Windle said that while expanding the scale of production, the company's vehicles will continue to remain within this price range.
Lotus announced the name and design concept of EMIRA. The detailed performance parameters will be officially disclosed at the product launch conference on July 6 this year. It will also make its first dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 8, and begin to accept it. Overseas booking.
Russell Carr, Design Director of Lotus Automotive, said: “We have extracted a new set of design language from the development of EVIJA, and will adapt future models to the corresponding level of aerodynamics based on the concept of'Performance Defines Aesthetics'. Breathing EMIRA is the continuation of EVIJA's most essential design elements."
Windle said, "EMIRA stands on the shoulders of giants, marking Lotus has accelerated into a new era that highlights modern design, efficient power, daily usability and excellent performance, and it will change the rules of the game."
