Comments on: Proton to sell Lotus? http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349282 meanpants555 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:59:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349282 Why do some of you see Toyota as soul draining? I think they are just dull with a few flashes of brilliance. Why do some of you see Toyota as soul draining? I think they are just dull with a few flashes of brilliance.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349281 meanpants555 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:58:22 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349281 Aston Martin and Lotus is a great pairing, good thinking Stuart. Aston Martin and Lotus is a great pairing, good thinking Stuart.

]]> By: V2 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349274 V2 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:06:09 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349274 Let this overpriced go kart known for its appalling build quality and reliability go the way of the dodo and the rest of the British car industry and die. The world will be a much better place for it. Let this overpriced go kart known for its appalling build quality and reliability go the way of the dodo and the rest of the British car industry and die. The world will be a much better place for it.

]]> By: Stuart http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349267 Stuart Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:38:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349267 Aston Martin would make good parent company for Lotus. This way Aston could make more sharper driving machines with Lotuses help and Lotus could be like smaller Astons with different designs and similar technology. Aston Martin would make good parent company for Lotus. This way Aston could make more sharper driving machines with Lotuses help and Lotus could be like smaller Astons with different designs and similar technology.

]]> By: CA36GTP http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349260 CA36GTP Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:32:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349260 Toyota would drain the soul out of Lotus. Toyota would drain the soul out of Lotus.

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349246 TOZO Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:36:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349246 You know, Proton eventually bought the remaining stakes in Lotus a few years back, and now owns all of Lotus. You know, Proton eventually bought the remaining stakes in Lotus a few years back, and now owns all of Lotus.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349178 meanpants555 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:28:02 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349178 I wouldn't call Toyota shameless; they are sharply focused which is what every successful automaker is ie: BMW, Porsche and Ferrari. I wouldn’t call Toyota shameless; they are sharply focused which is what every successful automaker is ie: BMW, Porsche and Ferrari.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349176 meanpants555 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:24:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349176 What Lotus needs is deep pockets and quality, two things that Toyota has. Toyota needs cars with soul, which is what Lotus offers. What Lotus needs is deep pockets and quality, two things that Toyota has. Toyota needs cars with soul, which is what Lotus offers.

]]> By: CA36GTP http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349141 CA36GTP Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:41:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349141 Agreed, SwerveEarly. Lotus has bounced around in different ownership several times, and we can see that many partnerships just don't work out. Lotus would drown under the banner of a large corporate system as exists under Toyota, GM, Ford, etc. Agreed, SwerveEarly. Lotus has bounced around in different ownership several times, and we can see that many partnerships just don’t work out. Lotus would drown under the banner of a large corporate system as exists under Toyota, GM, Ford, etc.

]]> By: SwerveEarly http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349133 SwerveEarly Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:29:37 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349133 The last thing Lotus needs is to be bought by large corporate marketing machine especially one as shameless as Toyota. Its almost a shame Prodrive bought Aston. Lotus seems much better suited to Prodrives' focus of racing and cars for weekend racers. They are performance car guys, thats what Lotus needs. Not pressure to make more money every quarter. The last thing Lotus needs is to be bought by large corporate marketing machine especially one as shameless as Toyota.
Its almost a shame Prodrive bought Aston. Lotus seems much better suited to Prodrives’ focus of racing and cars for weekend racers. They are performance car guys, thats what Lotus needs. Not pressure to make more money every quarter.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349103 meanpants555 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:02:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349103 Also their product lines do not overlap. Also their product lines do not overlap.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349102 meanpants555 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:01:50 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349102 Lotus already uses Toyota engines and transmissions. Lotus already uses Toyota engines and transmissions.

]]> By: meanpants555 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349101 meanpants555 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:01:00 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349101 Toyota is the best buyer for Lotus. Lotus needs Toyota build quality and Toyota needs Lotus handling. Toyota is the best buyer for Lotus. Lotus needs Toyota build quality and Toyota needs Lotus handling.

]]> By: Veda http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349096 Veda Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:14:41 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349096 VW needs to let Porsche take over their management and make the same amount of profit ratio per vehicle as their own models. VW needs to let Porsche take over their management and make the same amount of profit ratio per vehicle as their own models.

]]> By: CA36GTP http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349081 CA36GTP Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:45:29 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349081 I pretty much agree with your predictions, Commodore. Honda is always the reliably profitable company, but hasn't had one of those big sales booms in a while. Slight increase compared to last year there. Nissan has some improved models out, so I see a small increase there. I think Toyota will take the top sales crown for 2007, though I think as you pointed out it will be more due to GM drastically cutting fleet sales (and ditching some models that are ancient and straight-to-rental now) rather than Toyota selling drastically higher. I think GM will be in a position to take it back in a much better way by MY 2010. And they'll do it with significantly less rental fleet padding. Ford and Chrysler will obviously post huge losses, that's pretty well known. I don't see much short-term hope for them. Not much to say about some of the European guys. I think VW will show a slight decrease, they seem to be losing their way. Daimler and BMW will probably remain pretty much on par. As for some of the smaller guys: Mitsubishi will be up from Lancer sales and PR from the Evo X, but not enough to move them off the Endangered Automakers list. Subaru will be down due to the fact that their design department has been on crack for years. I pretty much agree with your predictions, Commodore.

Honda is always the reliably profitable company, but hasn’t had one of those big sales booms in a while. Slight increase compared to last year there. Nissan has some improved models out, so I see a small increase there.

I think Toyota will take the top sales crown for 2007, though I think as you pointed out it will be more due to GM drastically cutting fleet sales (and ditching some models that are ancient and straight-to-rental now) rather than Toyota selling drastically higher. I think GM will be in a position to take it back in a much better way by MY 2010. And they’ll do it with significantly less rental fleet padding.

Ford and Chrysler will obviously post huge losses, that’s pretty well known. I don’t see much short-term hope for them.

Not much to say about some of the European guys. I think VW will show a slight decrease, they seem to be losing their way. Daimler and BMW will probably remain pretty much on par.

As for some of the smaller guys: Mitsubishi will be up from Lancer sales and PR from the Evo X, but not enough to move them off the Endangered Automakers list. Subaru will be down due to the fact that their design department has been on crack for years.

]]> By: Commodore http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349080 Commodore Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:23:06 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349080 No new articles on LLN? I was expecting the sales results for December and for the year. I predict that Toyota beat GM in sales for the year (obviously) And GM/Ford sales are down from decreasing fleet sales by 30% Nissan is up, Honda is up a little, Toyota is down or the same Pretty pessimistic huh? No new articles on LLN? I was expecting the sales results for December and for the year.

I predict that Toyota beat GM in sales for the year (obviously)
And GM/Ford sales are down from decreasing fleet sales by 30%
Nissan is up, Honda is up a little, Toyota is down or the same

Pretty pessimistic huh?

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349076 autonut Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:34:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349076 I don't believe so. There is nothing for either marquee to gain from the union. BMW went "corporate" route producing heavy, bloated with amenities vehicles. You need either Microsoft or Java certification to start BMW 7, for driving Lotus you need to know how to drive manual transmission. There are no power windows in Lotus, much less iDontDrive I don’t believe so. There is nothing for either marquee to gain from the union. BMW went “corporate” route producing heavy, bloated with amenities vehicles. You need either Microsoft or Java certification to start BMW 7, for driving Lotus you need to know how to drive manual transmission. There are no power windows in Lotus, much less iDontDrive

]]> By: Veda http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349074 Veda Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:46:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349074 autonut: Do you think Lotus has a place in the BMW group? autonut: Do you think Lotus has a place in the BMW group?

]]> By: Veda http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349069 Veda Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:06:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349069 LP640: Are you sober now? Guess not... LP640: Are you sober now? Guess not…

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349062 autonut Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:22:46 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349062 Lotus is the only one car manufacturer left in the world who does not cater to Britney Spears and Paris Hiltons of this world. This is unfortunate for driving enthusiasts. in the past Saab, Alfa and Volvo had offerings in the same spirit, since those were purchased by mediocre marketing machines the sport car spirit is gone. Regardless of who will own the brand I hope it will continue to lead automotive establishment. Lotus is the only one car manufacturer left in the world who does not cater to Britney Spears and Paris Hiltons of this world. This is unfortunate for driving enthusiasts. in the past Saab, Alfa and Volvo had offerings in the same spirit, since those were purchased by mediocre marketing machines the sport car spirit is gone. Regardless of who will own the brand I hope it will continue to lead automotive establishment.

]]> By: CA36GTP http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349060 CA36GTP Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:59:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349060 GM is kicking themselves in the ass for divesting themselves of Lotus. GM is kicking themselves in the ass for divesting themselves of Lotus.

]]> By: zurus http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349059 zurus Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:48:29 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349059 lp640 is just a little kid that thinks hes badass because he reads car magazines and thinks he nows it all lp640 is just a little kid that thinks hes badass because he reads car magazines and thinks he nows it all

]]> By: Rover3500 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349058 Rover3500 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:25:56 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349058 Well I think Lotus is brilliant and I look forward to seeing their new Esprit either this year or next year. Only Lotus could come up with a car so very right as the Elise. Light, sexy and constructed using innovative production methods..If it was American it would weigh twice as much..if it was Japanese, it wouldn't have existed as they need to copy first. Such a rotten shame the British car industry is dead with so many great names mothballed. It saddens me we now live in a world of Kia's, Hundai's and now even Chery's ugh..Where once we had Triumphs, MG's and Austin Healey's..... Well I think Lotus is brilliant and I look forward to seeing their new Esprit either this year or next year. Only Lotus could come up with a car so very right as the Elise. Light, sexy and constructed using innovative production methods..If it was American it would weigh twice as much..if it was Japanese, it wouldn’t have existed as they need to copy first. Such a rotten shame the British car industry is dead with so many great names mothballed. It saddens me we now live in a world of Kia’s, Hundai’s and now even Chery’s ugh..Where once we had Triumphs, MG’s and Austin Healey’s…..

]]> By: terminator http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349050 terminator Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:01:05 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349050 Why do you even like cars LP640? All you have is negative comments for everything. You must think Italian cars are the shit or something. Why do you even like cars LP640? All you have is negative comments for everything. You must think Italian cars are the shit or something.

]]> By: meekin111 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349047 meekin111 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:18:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349047 at least $100 million is my bet at least $100 million is my bet

]]> By: Syrax http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349041 Syrax Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:06:06 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349041 i think they should make cars again... the esprit was a car, elan, eclat, the lotus omega (or Lotus Carlton)...elise/exige is just a weekend toy IMO. they have the new europa but i never saw one. i think they should make cars again… the esprit was a car, elan, eclat, the lotus omega (or Lotus Carlton)…elise/exige is just a weekend toy IMO. they have the new europa but i never saw one.

]]> By: acpd2001 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349033 acpd2001 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:53:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349033 Just curious why does everyone here hate Lotus Just curious why does everyone here hate Lotus

]]> By: LP640 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349031 LP640 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:41:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349031 ^lol R head ^lol R head

]]> By: RicardoHead http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349030 RicardoHead Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:39:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349030 I think Tata Motors should buy this shït too. I think Tata Motors should buy this shït too.

]]> By: LP640 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349027 LP640 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:34:30 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349027 ^its probably even more worthless than it was, when they bought it ^its probably even more worthless than it was, when they bought it

]]> By: corvette http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349018 corvette Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:59:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349018 i wonder what they could sell that stake for now i wonder what they could sell that stake for now

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349014 TOZO Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:12:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-349014 I better stop your retardedness before comment number 4 comes along. I better stop your retardedness before comment number 4 comes along.

]]> By: LP640 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-348998 LP640 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:32:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-348998 first and second comment first and second comment

]]> By: LP640 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-348997 LP640 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:31:56 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/proton-to-sell-lotus.html#comment-348997 they bought it for $81 million. Bargain of the century. the British car industry is utterly worthless. i'd have given them a dollar. they bought it for $81 million. Bargain of the century. the British car industry is utterly worthless. i’d have given them a dollar.

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