Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales says that production of the sports car models will stay put in Norfolk, UK but a future crossover model could end being built outside their home country.
Since getting acquired by Geely, Lotus has finally the means to develop a new generation of models with the first one to hit the market by 2021.
The new range of Lotus models includes an SUV which, according to Gales, can find a new niche in the market.
“We will always have sports cars, but we’re looking at other segments,” he said to Autocar. “The SUV market changes as well – it’s not just cars that are six feet high and wide now, it’s a huge market that’s becoming more segmented. There is a niche within that for a Lotus crossover that is light and aerodynamic and handles like nothing else. We’re working on it. The new board needs to pass it, but the future is very bright.”
Gales also said that Lotus will keep making sports cars at its Norfolk facility in the UK but other models could be developed or made elsewhere. “We stay in the UK for sports cars, what we do for other cars needs defining,” he said.
The Lotus boss wants to launch the next-generation of the Elise, Exige and Evora models on a common platform, targeting a market launch from 2021.
“We are still looking at the next generation,” Gales said. “There is an open book, which is good. We have a world-class automotive manufacturer behind us. I see it as a new chapter. One has closed and we can start afresh. It’s good news for us, good news for the region. There’s loads to do and I’m here to stay.”
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