Lotus Engineering & Kacst Cooperate

Lotus Engineering & KACST Cooperate to Establish Technology Base

for the Automotive Industry in Saudi Arabia

Lotus, via its engineering division, has entered into a joint cooperation programme with KACST, the

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology with the intention to promote the establishment of an

ecologically driven automotive technology capability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Lotus, with support from its parent company PROTON, has been commissioned to assist with the long

term strategy of KACST to create an automotive research, development and test centre to support the

manufacturing infrastructure within the Kingdom to help build its industrial capabilities and potentially

utilise its vast natural resources. Lotus has already been involved in the first stage of this objective with

the installation of a new engine and test cell facility in the Kingdom. This programme, which started in

2006, was commissioned with Lotus Engineering and uses the highly sophisticated Lotus Optical

Research Engine.

His Excellency President Dr Mohammed Al Suwaiyel said, "The comprehensive strategy of KACST is to

achieve automotive design, development and testing capability for Saudi Arabia within a ten-year

period, commencing in 2008. A newly established team of highly skilled automotive engineers from

KACST, Lotus and PROTON will also enable the partners to develop a technology base for the

automotive industry in Saudi Arabia."

PROTON Managing Director, Dato' Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the combined wealth

of experience that Lotus and PROTON have will be beneficial for Saudi Arabia to develop its automotive

development and manufacturing capability.

"PROTON has had the distinction of technology transfer from established automotive manufacturers as

well as its own developed home-grown capabilities. Together with Lotus' engineering expertise, Saudi

Arabia will have access to a greater depth of knowledge for the launch of its automotive industry," he

added.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc said, "Lotus and PROTON are committed to

assisting KACST in achieving its objectives. The engine and test cell programme was the start of a successful relationship and the conclusion of this joint cooperative study will drive the total automotive

industry strategy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al Saud, The Vice President for Research Institutes at King

Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology said, "Lotus Engineering will take a lead role in the

partnership supported by PROTON with continued expertise throughout the project. Lotus is a world

leader in automotive technology and has extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing and

testing facilities globally including many of the proving grounds in Europe and around the world. An

Automotive Research Development Centre will be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with full

testing facilities that can be used by other vehicle manufacturers."

To enhance the engineering and manufacturing skill base in Saudi Arabia, Lotus and PROTON will be

providing training in all aspects of automotive engineering to KACST employees utilising facilities at the

Lotus headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, as well as PROTON's facilities in Malaysia.

Mike Kimberley said, "Lotus is ideally placed to support KACST as we have extensive experience in

both niche and high volume vehicle and engine development and manufacture. Lotus Engineering

continues to provide high technology engineering consultancy for the world's automotive industry and

our world class research and development is unprecedented. We are pleased to be working closely with

KACST and PROTON on this exciting challenge to initiate a technology base for the automotive industry

in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to develop an infrastructure to increase the ecological capabilities of

the industry."

Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al Saud said, "The cooperation is consistent with the national

industrial strategy and the mission of the industrial cluster programmes that emphasise the creation of

an automotive industry in the Kingdom." He added; "We need to develop environment friendly

technologies in order to sustain the utilisation of oil with less harmful effects to the environment."