Does Toyota own Lotus?
When it comes to the automotive industry, ownership and partnerships between car manufacturers can often be complex and dynamic. A common question among car enthusiasts is whether Toyota owns Lotus, the iconic British sports car manufacturer known for its lightweight, high-performance vehicles. Let’s dive into the details to clarify this relationship.
The Ownership of Lotus
As of today, Toyota does not own Lotus. The current owner of Lotus is Geely, a Chinese multinational automotive company. Geely acquired a majority stake in Lotus in 2017, purchasing 51% of the company. The remaining 49% is owned by Etika Automotive, a Malaysian company. This acquisition marked a significant shift in Lotus's trajectory, as Geely has invested heavily in the brand to modernize its lineup and expand its global presence.
Toyota's Role in Lotus Cars
Although Toyota does not own Lotus, the two companies share a strong technical relationship. Lotus has been using Toyota engines in many of its vehicles for years. For example:
- The Lotus Elise and Exige models have been powered by Toyota's 1.8-liter inline-four engines.
- The Lotus Evora features Toyota's 3.5-liter V6 engine.
- Even the latest Lotus Emira offers a Toyota-sourced supercharged V6 as one of its engine options.
This collaboration allows Lotus to benefit from Toyota's reliable and high-performance engines while focusing on its expertise in lightweight chassis design and handling dynamics.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion about Toyota owning Lotus likely stems from their close technical partnership. Toyota's engines have become synonymous with Lotus cars, leading some to assume a deeper corporate connection. However, it is important to distinguish between a supplier relationship and ownership.
The Future of Lotus
Under Geely's ownership, Lotus is undergoing a significant transformation. The company is moving towards electrification, with the Lotus Evija hypercar leading the charge as an all-electric model. While Toyota engines have been a staple in Lotus cars, the shift to electric powertrains may eventually phase out this collaboration. However, the legacy of their partnership will remain a key chapter in Lotus's history.
In conclusion, while Toyota does not own Lotus, their technical partnership has been instrumental in shaping the performance and reliability of Lotus vehicles. With Geely at the helm, Lotus is poised for an exciting future, blending its heritage with cutting-edge technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lotus made by Toyota?
Before the current group that manufactures the Lotus vehicles, they were made by Proton, which is a company based out of Malaysia. Before that, General Motors and Toyotas were shared owners of the machine. Lotus cars could change ownership in the next decade, but right now they are set with Geely and Etika.
Who are Lotus owned by?
Lotus Cars is an iconic British producer of sports and racing cars. The first Lotus car was born in 1948 and in June 2017, Lotus Cars became majority owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The original founder of Lotus, Colin Chapman, believed that lightness was key to the development of great sports cars.
Does Lotus use Toyota parts?
A common perspective shared amongst enthusiasts about modern Lotus vehicles is that while the British-built parts may break often, the Toyota-supplied parts are reliable. This video documenting the problems of a 2013 Evora shows that sometimes even the Toyota parts can cause issues.
What Lotus has the Toyota engine?
The Evora is equipped with a mid-mounted, transverse, Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre 24-valve 2GR-FE V6 engine. The Evora S uses the same engine but with a supercharger. Both versions are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with "Intelligent Precision Shift," manufactured by Aisin.
Did Toyota ever own Lotus?
The death of Colin Chapman brought some changes for Lotus, resulting in the company being owned internationally. Here's a modern timeline leading to who makes Lotus cars today: 1986 – General Motors and Toyota buy a combined majority share in Group Lotus as co-owners.
Why does Lotus use a Toyota engine?
However, seeking a more dependable and powerful option, Lotus made the strategic decision in 2004 to switch to Toyota engines. This shift proved successful for the company, as Toyota engines offered a perfect blend of performance and reliability, complementing Lotus' core principles.
Who supplies Lotus engines?
Esprit Engineering are suppliers of genuine Lotus Engines and Engine Parts and we organise and stock parts that we have had fabricated to replace obsolete Lotus parts.
Is the Lotus Elise a Toyota engine?
The Elise Cup 260 has the following specifications according to Lotus: Engine: 1.8 litre supercharged Toyota 2ZR-FE Inline-4.
Did Elon Musk own Lotus?
Like a real-life Bond villain, Elon Musk bought the actual Lotus Esprit Submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me. The Lotus Esprit played the part of a submarine in the 1977 James Bond film. The billionaire bought it at auction in 2013, setting him back a whopping $900,000 after a bidding war with another car enthusiast.
Who is the owner of Lotus?
Lotus is currently majority-owned by Chinese multinational Geely.
