Proton would sell Lotus (after years of losing money) because of its own sale

According to financial analyses, Proton has not earned a single ringgit from Lotus for 15 years, after it took control of the British brand in 1996. And indeed, Proton and Lotus are two companies so different in their production and their geographical location that few know how this marriage has lasted 15 years. But there is more, because Proton itself may be in danger.

It turns out that the Malaysian government is willing to sell its majority stake in Proton and, consequently, Lotus would also be put up for sale. Rumours about the supposed buyers of both brands were not long in coming; while for Proton one of the richest men in Malaysia is mentioned, for Lotus several candidates are named: the Chinese manufacturer BYD Auto or Genii Capital itself, which now governs the destinies of Lotus-Renault in Formula 1.

Meanwhile, Danny Bahar has announced that Lotus has no option but to wait and adjust to the business line that the new buyer wants to impose on Lotus, although he has no idea who it might be. Along the same lines, Bahar says that if it had not been for Proton, Lotus would not exist today… And with good reason: this year Lotus has not managed to sell 2,000 vehicles, whereas by comparison a manufacturer as exclusive as Ferrari could reach 7,000 vehicles sold.

Source | Automotive News