Reportedly, in order to compete in the domestic market facing Both Toyota and Automobiles Company (Pero Two) Bhd, Proton should make new investments. All that need funding. Observers also suggested, Proton need to release Lotus. In fact, investors Gan Eng Peng in Kuala Lumpur, said Proton is ready to sell Lotus!Lotus, a British sports car company - owned by Proton Malaysia - like being at a crossroads. The company must decide his fate after the condition of its parent - Proton - as reported by Bloomberg today (27/12/2011) profit declined 76 percent in the last quarter of this year.
Not Yet Profitable
Since its purchase in 1996, Lotus does not provide benefits to Proton. Meanwhile, to achieve the target of 2014, Lotus need large injections of funds. This makes the observer estimates, Lotus will be sold by Proton.
"It's time to sell. Proton and Lotus are less healthy. They are on different market segments, both geography and product, "said Gan.
Need Capital
According to analysts OSK Holdings Bhd, Ahmad Usman Maghfur in Kuala Lumpur, Lotus 2.4 billion ringit require funds (almost $ 7 trillion) in order to earn profits. The value is equal to three times the value of wealth dimilik company today, one billion ringgit.
For that Lotus should be able to sell 8,000 units per year and the car is very difficult to achieve. Because, until the close of financial year end March 31, Lotus can only sell 1985 units worldwide.
"Proton is better without the Lotus. There are no product synergies, "said Alexander Chia, an analyst at RHB Capital in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to Proton, Lotus also had belonged to the old General Motors and Romano Artioli's Bugatti International.
Class differences between Lotus and Proton, can be seen from the car price in Malaysua. Lotus sold 513,000 ringit cheapest (USD 1636.7 million) and 34,000 ringgit Proton hatchback.
it Can not Compete
In Europe, Lotus could not compete against Porsche and Ferrari. Whereas for engineering technology, has decades of experience in technology and superior lightweight body or chassis.
Lotus by Proton sales plan has been the object of speculation bystanders. Reportedly, by Edge, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) interested in buying Lotus, though later disproved. Two months ago, Proton also denied reports that the Star newspaper reported, Lotus sold to Genii Capital in Luxembourg.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Lotus, Danny Taner Bahar - formerly executive Ferrari - say can make , sure the company "break even" in 2014 on condition, obtaining financial support.
"All we could do was to show the current owner or the new, current business plan," said Bahar in his office, Norfolk, England in an interview last week. "Without the help of funds and guarantees given by the Proton group, we will not live. Doomsday! "He explained.
Bahar said that Lotus used in the James Bond film "Spy Who Loved Me" in 1977 and "For Your Eyes Only" in 1981, will continue running with power engineering technology to remain competitive.
Colin Chapman
"Their expertise makes lightweight frame, the power of Lotus since its founding in 1952 by Colin Chapman," explains Phil Gott, an analyst for the engine and transmission at IHS Automotive. Hence, the electric car companies interested in Lotus technologies.
One leading American car companies that take advantage of Lotus design is Tesla. Since 2008, the Lotus chassis used by the Tesla Roadster which sold for 109,000 dollars AS.Chrysler LLC also plans contracted with Lotus to create an electric car before it went bankrupt in 2009.
Examples of technological prowess Lotus Elise model only weighs 912 kg and the lightest sports car sold in the United States. For comparison, the Porsche Cayman 1330 kg and Mazda MX-5 Miata 1124 kg.
