Lotus plots range expansion

摘要

Saloons and SUVs could join the Lotus line-up as part of a recovery plan that also involves job cuts. Lotus could be building saloon and SUV models within a decade as part of a transformation plan framed in secret over the past few months by its recently arrived CEO and former PSA president, Jean-Marc Gales. The idea was initially leaked on a Malaysian website, but in an exclusive interview with Autocar, Gales (right) confirmed that the plan was very much on the table. Gales was speaking after announcing that Lotus was laying off 325 of its 1215 employees. He described the move as "very sad and regrettable" but said it was needed in order to reshape the company and cut costs for the short term. He said his initial aim was to increase sharply sales of Lotus's three existing models - the Elise, Exige and Evora - by making them better and increasing dealer spread.