Comments on: Lotus gets two UK government green projects

By: johnsean

johnsean — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:27:11 +0000

In answer to Longjaafar, you are correct. Proton will not be able to benefit directly in technology terms from the Jaguar project.
Lotus will be bound by confidentially clauses in their contracts with their clients. Having paid for the engineering service, the client will own the technology.
When Khazanah paid the outstanding debts that Lotus had, it will obviously make it easier for Lotus to be successful, in the near and hopefully long term. A company that now appears to be making a profit in the Automotive industry is rare. As such, Lotus would be an attractive “Buy” should the Malaysian government choose to sell.
You are quite correct,when you say companies can use lotus without owning them. Proton used a Korean design office on some recent projects. They didn’t own them.

By: MisterBenjo

MisterBenjo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:59:52 +0000

why proton never really use lotus expertise.They have great EVE project. Is it bcoz of cost?

By: mystvearn

mystvearn — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:39:32 +0000

Why Lotus for zero emissions? British car maker is it? Last thing that comes to mind of zero emissions is Lotus. Maybe there was something good in the bid to make lotus get it? Or maybe they just throw everything out of the car make it as barebones as posibble

By: longjaafar

longjaafar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:36:54 +0000

This is good for Lotus, but not necessarily for Proton. Much of the technology, such as zero emission, will not be used in Malaysia, and to ask for Proton to manufacture those kind of vehicles and export them is too much to ask. Research takes a lot of funds and, if successful, will yield very high returns. Some will not matreialise and the cost written off. Can Proton afford this?
As said, companies like Jaguar are using Lotus, without owning it. They pay fees, but do not share the risk.
So far, the benefit of Lotus to Proton is only some tweaking of suspensions and minor things here and there.
What is commendable is that due to Proton’s presence as a major shareholder, Lotus has been rescued from the brink of bankruptcy. If not for anything else, Proton has added value to Lotus, and should they want to sell Lotus in the future, hopefully they’ll get their money back with some profit.

By: farizal13

farizal13 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:35:27 +0000

Proton should lead the task to transfer the manufacturing panels to Malaysian composites company………….CTRM….well known worlwide….

By: car_craze

car_craze — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:19:48 +0000

That i can agree – “brainless or otherwise”.

By: BanyakMasukWorkshop

BanyakMasukWorkshop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:03:41 +0000

“why every post in here always led to proton bashing..”

because the internet gives everyone an outlet to express themselves, brainless or otherwise.

By: azrai

azrai — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:36:04 +0000

Maybe the EVE project will do to. I wonder when will the real engine technology transfer from Lotus to Proton’s cars will really take place.

By: johnsean

johnsean — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:41:49 +0000

Good to Lotus. In Jaguar they have a customer recently acquired by an Indian OEM (Tata). This will be an opportunity to impress. I have read they are about to open an office in India shortly.
I’m sure that this could lead to even more work for the group on this continent.

By: i'm run

i'm run — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:22:37 +0000

I don’t quite understand.. why every post in here always led to proton bashing..

By: delos3nos

delos3nos — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:40:55 +0000

wow next time when we see UK taxi badge read PROTON Engineer or PROTONG techlogy