Monday, January 21, 2008
Lotus keeps mum about its success
Is Lotus the Good Samaritan of the motor industry? Its engineering division undertakes work for practically every one of the world’s carmakers – but it has to stay mum about the top-secret engines, suspension and technology it develops.
Confidentiality clauses prevent the Norfolk engineers talking about their work, so we only occasionally hear of their triumphs – like the Vauxhall VX220 Lotus built for GM, or the aluminium chassis system it developed for the seminal Aston Martin Vanquish.
Chairman Mike Kimberley is gentlemanly discreet about his manifold clients, noting merely that “there is only one well-known Japanese firm that we don’t work with – otherwise, we work for every carmaker out there.”
He reveals that Lotus is developing five hybrid production cars and seven electric vehicles (best-known is the much-delayed Tesla sports car) for third party clients.
DATED: 21.01.08
FEED: AM
Confidentiality clauses prevent the Norfolk engineers talking about their work, so we only occasionally hear of their triumphs – like the Vauxhall VX220 Lotus built for GM, or the aluminium chassis system it developed for the seminal Aston Martin Vanquish.
Chairman Mike Kimberley is gentlemanly discreet about his manifold clients, noting merely that “there is only one well-known Japanese firm that we don’t work with – otherwise, we work for every carmaker out there.”
He reveals that Lotus is developing five hybrid production cars and seven electric vehicles (best-known is the much-delayed Tesla sports car) for third party clients.
DATED: 21.01.08
FEED: AM
