Australia And New Zealand’S Largest Independent Car Importer Appointed

Lotus Cars Limited announces the highly regarded Ateco Automotive is now the official importer and distributor for Lotus cars in Australia and New Zealand.

The experienced existing Lotus dealer network in Australia will remain, with outlets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. In addition, Ateco Automotive intends to expand its presence in the region with a new dealership in Auckland, New Zealand's largest car market, in the near future.

Ateco Automotive will introduce a number of new initiatives for Lotus in the coming weeks focused on increasing the presence and perception of Lotus in Australia and New Zealand for both the current range of Lotus cars (the iconic Lotus Elise and the Lotus Exige and the award winning new Lotus Evora) and the future range of Lotus cars. The future range includes the new Lotus Esprit supercar, planned for sale in 2013 and the new Lotus Elite is planned to go on sale in 2014.

Guillaume Chabin, Director of Global Sales and Marketing for Lotus, said, "I would like to welcome Ateco Automotive to the Lotus brand. The company is a highly regarded and experienced importer in Australia and New Zealand, has a very strong infrastructure and the ability to join us in taking our brand forward in this important market as our product line-up evolves. We have been present in Australia for many years and are recognised by many for both our high tech, high performing Lotus cars and our fantastic motorsport heritage. Ateco Automotive joins us at an exciting time with the new Era of Lotus, heralding in a new range of sports cars in the future to complement the current Lotus range and an all encompassing motorsports programme which will return to the Lotus brand to the elevated level that it has enjoyed in the past."

Glen Sealey, General Manager for Lotus in Australia and New Zealand at Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd, said, "We are delighted to have the opportunity to import Lotus cars into Australia and New Zealand. Given our success and experience gained over the years in the retailing and marketing of premium and luxury niche sports car brands, we are well placed to give Lotus the best opportunity to succeed in such discerning markets. The timing could not be better as we will be able to prepare the market place and the dealer group for the arrival of the new range as well as developing the sales and customer support for the existing range. The new Lotus range, topped by the phenomenal high performance supercharged Evora S, are stunning cars and perfectly suited to the Australian and New Zealand markets, where performance, efficiency and stunning looks are so important."

Ateco Automotive will take control of the importing of Lotus cars immediately, with a seamless transition from the outgoing importer.