Volvo's Chinese Owners Are Now Buying Lotus

In a move that should advance Chinese sports car technology by several generations in one fell swoop, Geely looks to be taking advantage of Lotus' recent upturn in fortunes
Volvo's Chinese Owners Are Now Buying Lotus

It’s being reported that Geely, the Chinese company that owns Volvo, is set to buy 49% of Proton and in the process take complete control of Norfolk lightness merchants Lotus.

Lotus recorded a profit last year for the first time in its illustrious but badly-managed history, attracting Chinese eyes that no doubt wish to benefit from the English firm’s considerable engineering expertise.

Volvo's Chinese Owners Are Now Buying Lotus

An Autocar report says that Geely’s cash is actually being pumped into Proton’s parent company, DRB-Hicom, but the net result is a 49% stake in the Malaysian manufacturer and total ownership of Lotus. Apparently, French conglomerate PSA, which recently bought Opel and Vauxhall, was also considering buying Proton.

Lotus is purely a passenger in the deal, but it is said that Geely and Proton, which has owned Lotus since 1996, have both agreed to the deal. Hopefully, with Lotus having turned a corner from a business point of view, it will be allowed to carry on with no major changes.

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Comments

Tomislav Celić

Yes yes. More funding + Volvo engines = great reliable track car

Probably the words that no-one in the history said

05/24/2017 - 08:14 |
93 | 1

I hope they ain’t taking the Volvo’s weight with it, that wouldn’t make the best sportscar…

05/24/2017 - 09:26 |
24 | 0

Plot twist. Volvo design with lotus reliability…

05/24/2017 - 13:22 |
13 | 2

Nuuuuuuu Toyota engines 4 lyfe :P

05/25/2017 - 02:14 |
3 | 0
Noah Thorley Images

So, because it’s china, they will be making flowers instead of cars because Chinese lotus is a flower?

05/24/2017 - 08:15 |
29 | 0
Anonymous

They’re leaving their tanks for flowers? Alright, I guess…

05/24/2017 - 08:18 |
9 | 0
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

Woohooo!

05/24/2017 - 10:05 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Damn, now Proton won’t have Lotus to help them out anymore.

05/24/2017 - 10:51 |
1 | 0
Whoami26

But lotus belongs to BJP…. (prepared for the downvotes already)

05/24/2017 - 11:25 |
0 | 0
Neco Arc

Several weeks later : Lotus Just Released A New Limited Edition Exige : The Exiqe Tank 420 SuperLimitedOnlyInChina

05/24/2017 - 11:57 |
14 | 0
KENMERI

As a Malaysian,I hope Proton is getting better after this…maybe we’ll get volvo’s engines?XD

05/24/2017 - 11:58 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

If they do an Elise 5cylinder , I’m set

05/24/2017 - 12:54 |
1 | 0
Mythres

Geely is very widespread in my country (they even field some entries on our national touring car championships). They are pretty okay cars and certainly got a bit better after the Volvo purchase but… you can’t help imagining something will go wrong because it’s still chinese and so suspiciously cheap. And many times it does happen. Maybe we’ll get a sports Geely? Won’t be following that.

05/24/2017 - 14:19 |
1 | 0