Lotus Develops Heavy Duty Diesel Engine

[Mark H]

New Group Lotus chief executive Michael Kimberley says Lotus Cars expects to sell something over 4,200 cars this year, having built 5,053 last year and 3,212 in 2003. Besides strengthening its dealer networks and marketing activity in key export markets including the US and Germany, Kimberley is pursuing growth through third-party contracts for Lotus Engineering – including a truck diesel engine featuring a function whereby cylinders not needed for direct power can serve as compressors for a turbo.

 

The group is also pitching to become a third-party assembler of niche sports models, as it was for Opel/Vauxhall’s Lotus-derived roadster. The Hethel site has capacity to build up to 10,000 vehicles a year.

 

Lotus currently boasts 56 OEMs and about 50 automotive suppliers on its customer list.

 

Mr Kimberley was interviewed by the German industry paper Automobilwoche (12 June).

 

http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/14-06-06_3