LOTUS TO BRING NEW MODELS TO MALAYSIA STARTING 2013

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Lotus Cars Ltd is bringing five models to
Malaysia, starting spring 2013, in its bid to strengthen the brand image in
the country as well as South-East Asia.

Territory manager South/East Asia, Christian Pauketat, said the first model
to be launched worldwide would be the Lotus Esprit, which would start production
end-2012 and enter the market in spring 2013.

"We will bring the model to Malaysia within two to three months after the
worldwide launch.

"The rest of the models will be launched between 2014 and 2015," he told
reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2010 here Saturday.

The Lotus Esprit, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 pressure-charged engine
delivering up to 620 PS, retains exceptional performance through its unique
lightweight design, making it the ultimate expression of Lotus supercar
ownership.

It is the supercar that will redefine ride and handling, performance,
comfort and exclusivity

Other models to be launched include Lotus Elan, Lotus Elite, new Lotus
Elise and Lotus Eterne.

"We want to elevate the brand image here as well as the region. We used to
face head-on with Ferrari," said Pauketat, who was formerly with Porsche.

Currently, four models are available in the local market -- Lotus Evora,
Lotus Exige, Lotus Europa and Lotus Elise.

The company expects Lotus Esprit, estimated to be priced at £110,000
(£1=RM4.918), to hit 1,000-unit sales target for the first year of its launch.

At the moment, the worldwide production of Lotus cars is 2,500 units, which
matched with its total sales. The production is expected to reach 8,000 units
when all the five models are launched by 2015.

Meanwhile, Lotus Cars Malaysia head, Oh Kah Beng, said there was a huge
potential to be tapped in Malaysia in the sports car market.

At the moment, total sales in Malaysia were about 20 to 40 cars a year and
Lotus hoped to increase to 100 units when all the models are launched in
Malaysia by 2015.

On other note, Pauketat said the company would be offering Evora S with
automatic gearbox starting May next year.

Currently, only manual is offered.

-- BERNAMA