Lotus parent business Proton has revealed the visit of a new CEO – the Luxembourg-born Jean-Marc Gales.
Gales, a graduate from London’s Imperial College, has previously worked in a number of senior automotive positions, including CEO at the European association of Automotive Suppliers, as well as acted as a lobbyist with the European Parliament, assisting to define the market research study & innovation strategy as well as Roadmap for 2025.
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He was likewise president of Peugeot/Citroen Automobiles between 2009 as well as 2010, when the business provided record sales as well as re-introduced the DS brand.
While it’s never great to subdue ambition, it’s fair to state that Lotus’ fortunes took a large knock with the visit of the massively optimistic Danny Bahar in the exact same function during 2009. group owners DRB-HICOM, will be hoping that its new incumbent will provide a more steady touch at the helm.
There were rumours in 2012 that the business might be put into administration, complying with a plan to introduce five new road vehicles in as many years – none of which have yet seen the light of day.
No question one of the very first tasks for Gales will be to boost sales at the road vehicle division. The business has never been understood for huge sales volumes, however has seen sales slide from 964 vehicles in 2003 to a feeble 256 last year. It will be a tough task; Lotus has not turned a revenue since Proton obtained it back in 1996.
In tandem with these difficulties Mr Gales will be accountable for taking care of the fortunes of the extremely respected subsidiary, Lotus Engineering, whose consultancy operations include engineering as well as advancement jobs for a number of manufacturers, in addition to the Lotus Motorsport division.