Year Founded
1948
Founder
Colin Chapman
Headquarters
Hethel, Norfolk, UK
Parent
Geely, lotus group international limited
Official Site
The company was formed in 1952 as Lotus Engineering Ltd. by engineers Colin Chapman and Colin Dare. The company had early origins in 1948 when Chapman built his first racing car in a garage. By 1980, Group Lotus was in severe financial trouble, with limited production and sales in the key United States market. Chapman’s agreement with Toyota and the new American company, Lotus Performance Cars Inc. (LPCI), provided fresh capital to the Group Lotus. Notable Lotus cars include the Lotus Seven, the Elan, the Esprit, and the Elise.
In 2021, Lotus announced plans to produce only electric cars by 2028 and increase production numbers significantly. Geely and Etika Automotive provided two billion pounds to fund these changes. The Lotus Evija, the first electric car by Lotus, boasts impressive specs like a 1,500 kW output. Lotus Emira, the final combustion engine car, entered production in March 2022. Lotus has been part of projects like ‘LimoGreen’ that have contributed to cutting CO emissions.
UK Technology Strategy Board awarded $45M to 16 low-carbon vehicle projects, including those involving Lotus. It introduced the Evija, a 2000-horsepower electric hypercar. Evora 414E Hybrid is among Lotus’ endeavors in the hybrid segment.
Yes lotus is a luxury car manufacturer but it manufactures luxury sports cars and it has main focus on electrification of cars.
No, Toyota does not own Lotus. It is owned by chinese multinational brand Geely.
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