Proton, the Malaysian owner of Lotus, released a statement where it dismisses reports that appeared in several media outlets and which said that it is planning to sell a stake of the British sports car manufacturer.
Here’s what the company stated: “The alleged moves between Group Lotus and Genii Capital are untrue and the reports are highly speculative in nature. Proton’s relationship with Group Lotus is as good as it has ever been.”
Despite abysmal sales, Proton stressed that it remains committed to the turnaround of Lotus and is “channeling all energy and efforts” towards developing the brand’s new products.
Lotus plans to widen its range to unprecedented levels by unveiling no less than six new models in the next four years, starting with the 2013 Esprit featuring an in-house developed V8 engine.
The Ferrari 458 Italia-rivaling Esprit will be joined in the same year by the Elan and the Concept City Car, while in 2014, the plan calls for the presentation of the Elite and in 2015, the new Elise and the 4-door Eterne.
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