GM to bid on Proton Group...think Lotus
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From: South Bend , IN
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From: The Land of Pleasant Living
General Motors has OWNED Lotus before. 
They bought Lotus in '86 and sold it in 93 to Bugatti to raise cash after the Roger Smith years.
As for Proton, they're sold in Australia, and are very stylish little cars. I don't know a thing about how well made they are, but they are pretty sharp for a cheap econobox.
They bought Lotus in '86 and sold it in 93 to Bugatti to raise cash after the Roger Smith years.
As for Proton, they're sold in Australia, and are very stylish little cars. I don't know a thing about how well made they are, but they are pretty sharp for a cheap econobox.
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From: The Golden State
georgejetson pointed out the LT5 was Lotus designed, and the Isuzu (also part of GM) Impulse has Lotus tuned suspension. But I also recall them doing some tweaks in versions of early 90s Commodore sedan suspensions for GM-Holden.
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This isn't about Lotus, really. It's about Proton. Proton has some state-of-the-art production facilities in Malaysia. I think GM has some idea of turning Proton and their nice factories into their Far East parts production experts. Another possible consideration is that they may want more vehicle production capability for the Chinese market but don't want to put any more plants in China, given how much fun the Chinese government can be.
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From: Ontario
This isn't about Lotus, really. It's about Proton. Proton has some state-of-the-art production facilities in Malaysia. I think GM has some idea of turning Proton and their nice factories into their Far East parts production experts. Another possible consideration is that they may want more vehicle production capability for the Chinese market but don't want to put any more plants in China, given how much fun the Chinese government can be.
My question was in response the article flowmotion posted that said Proton's sales were declining and its losses increasing. GM certainly doesn't need another financial black hole or management distraction at this time.
I wonder if GM has another motive, even if they would never admit it: including Proton's sales under GM's umbrella might just be enough to prevent Toyota from taking global sales leadership this year. I don't know what Proton's sales are, although I do recall seeing a video on their state-of-the-art production facility and its capacity was a typical auto plant's 250-300k per year. That would probably be enough to keep GM on top for 2007 at least.
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Originally Posted by R377
I wonder if GM has another motive, even if they would never admit it: including Proton's sales under GM's umbrella might just be enough to prevent Toyota from taking global sales leadership this year
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From: Crystal Falls, MI USA
http://www.opel.it/action/go?cntryCd...r&nav=showroom
Good looking car IMO.
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From: Memphis
According to Opel's web site for Italy, they still do. It's called the Speedster.
http://www.opel.it/action/go?cntryCd...r&nav=showroom
Good looking car IMO.
http://www.opel.it/action/go?cntryCd...r&nav=showroom
Good looking car IMO.
Either that or wikipedia is wrong because it talks as though production stopped at some point in 2005.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Speedster
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From: Coppell, Texas
GM wasn't afraid to utilize Lotus' expertise in the past. I wouldn't be surprised at all if this go around wouldn't be any different. But I too think that might just be a footnote to the larger picture. The Asia market is growing, and this is a perfect opportunity to get an even stronger foothold.
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From: Madisonville, Louisiana
Lotus supposedly had a great valve system for the LT5 that would have raised horsepower to 475hp. Doug Rippie came out with a 475hp system but I would like to see how lotus was going to do it. It would be nice to see them team up again.
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From: Stillwater, OK
ya opel had the opel speedster, and vauxhall had the vx220
i think the speedster is suppose to continue on the kappa platform as a rebadged sky
edit nevermind they are calling it the opel gt
Last edited by VladimirSteel; Jan 18, 2007 at 10:40 PM.
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From: Racine, WI
The contract with GM was up, Lotus decided to use that extra capacity to start exporting the Elise to the US. The plant where it is built in England has a capacity of only around 10,000 units. Lotus would be a very nice addition for GM.