Who owns the Lotus car brand?
The Lotus car brand is currently owned by Geely Automobile, a Chinese multinational automotive company. Geely acquired a majority stake in Lotus in 2017, becoming the parent company of the iconic British sports car manufacturer.
The History of Lotus Ownership
Lotus was founded in 1952 by engineer Colin Chapman in the United Kingdom. The company initially focused on producing lightweight, high-performance sports cars and racing vehicles. Over the decades, Lotus has been owned by several different entities:
- 1952-1982: Lotus was privately owned by Colin Chapman and his family.
- 1982-1986: Lotus was acquired by the British government-owned holding company, Renault.
- 1986-1993: Lotus was owned by the Italian car manufacturer, Fiat.
- 1993-2017: Lotus was owned by the Malaysian automotive company, Proton.
- 2017-present: Lotus has been majority-owned by the Chinese company, Geely Automobile.
Geely's acquisition of Lotus in 2017 was part of the company's strategy to expand its global automotive portfolio and leverage Lotus' expertise in sports car engineering and design.
Geely's Plans for Lotus
Under Geely's ownership, Lotus has undergone a significant transformation. The company has announced plans to invest £2 billion into Lotus over the next five years to expand its product lineup, improve manufacturing capabilities, and enhance its research and development efforts.
Some of Geely's key initiatives for Lotus include:
- Developing new sports car models, including all-electric and hybrid variants.
- Expanding Lotus' manufacturing facilities in the UK to increase production capacity.
- Investing in advanced technologies, such as lightweight materials and autonomous driving systems.
- Strengthening Lotus' global brand presence and distribution network.
With Geely's financial backing and strategic vision, Lotus is poised to continue its legacy as a leading manufacturer of high-performance sports cars while also exploring new opportunities in the evolving automotive landscape.
