The pauses didn’t help, nor not knowing quite when they’d come. And there was more than one kind of pause to be experienced aboard a Smart Roadster. The most obvious, and persistent, was the between-gears interruption generated by the automated manual transmission. The Roadster’s gearbox was not an especially speedy shuffler of clustered cogs and… Continue reading Smart Roadster: spice up summer with a £1500 gem
Tag: Lotus
China’s carmakers expanding their presence in Europe
Chinese carmakers are pushing into Europe, leveraging competitive prices and advanced EV tech to challenge traditional Western auto giants. Chinese automakers are expanding in Europe, betting on their competitive pricing and advanced technology to break into a market traditionally dominated by European and American brands, amid a global shift towards electric vehicles. This expansion has… Continue reading China’s carmakers expanding their presence in Europe
Factbox-China’s carmakers expanding their presence in Europe
(Reuters) -Chinese automakers are expanding in Europe, betting on their competitive pricing and advanced technology to break into a market traditionally dominated by European and American brands, amid a global shift towards electric vehicles. This expansion has stoked trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing, including a row over EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, imposed to… Continue reading Factbox-China’s carmakers expanding their presence in Europe
Light bites, stiff drinks: celebrating 50 years of a Lotus legend
We think of the Porsche 911 as being the stalwart of the junior supercar world, but after 28 years and more than 10,000 sales, the Lotus Esprit in all its guises was probably the closest contender. And this year marks half a century since it broke cover at the 1975 Paris motor show, where its… Continue reading Light bites, stiff drinks: celebrating 50 years of a Lotus legend
Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
The story of Geely entering the Western market began a positive one. It has been showered with praise for how it handled Volvo for its first decade in charge, making it a mainstream premium player more than ever before. But as time has gone on, there’s been little evidence to back up that early success… Continue reading Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?
What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?
The heart-stop moment came on early Friday morning. A source with impeccable connections to Lotus UK told Autocar that the order had come from China to prepare its historic manufacturing facility in Hethel for closure. A second source backed up that bombshell. Lotus was investigating moving sports car production to the US. Separately, the Financial… Continue reading What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?
Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK
Geely, the Chinese firm that owns LEVC, Lotus, Polestar and Volvo, is launching its eponymous car brand in the UK. The first model bound for UK showrooms will be the Geely EX5, an electric crossover pitched against the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and Renault Megane. UK specifications have yet to be confirmed, but Geely said the EX5… Continue reading Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK
Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production
Lotus said this week it had no plans to shut its manufacturing base in Norfolk and assured dealers it was business as usual. The carmaker was responding to a report over the weekend in the Financial Times suggesting it was to shift manufacturing to the US in order to bypass tarriffs. Lotus is controlled by… Continue reading Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production
Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary but has ‘no plans’ to shut Norfolk factory
Lotus says: ‘We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.’ Photograph: Darrin Jenkins/Alamy View image in fullscreen Lotus says: ‘We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.’ Photograph: Darrin Jenkins/Alamy Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary… Continue reading Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary but has ‘no plans’ to shut Norfolk factory
Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations
Lotus sought to ease concerns with a statement that it remains ‘committed’ to the UK. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters View image in fullscreen Lotus sought to ease concerns with a statement that it remains ‘committed’ to the UK. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations Jonathan Reynolds to… Continue reading Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations