Monday 28th May 2012
Dany Bahar suspended
More uncertainty at Hethel as Lotus owners DRB-Hicom suspend Dany Bahar
Could the controversial reign of Lotus boss Dany Bahar coming to an abrupt end? With no shortage of
dramatic headlines and speculation about the iconic brand's future and Bahar's ambitious plans the story took another twist last night with news that DRB-Hicom, Lotus's new owner, has suspended Bahar.
More diligent and early rising newsdesks than PH's, mainstream media included, have been reporting in some detail about Bahar's suspension but it seems the move came suddenly and without any warning whatsoever. Quoting a DRB-Hicom spokesperson the Norfolk Eastern Daily Press said "As a result of a number of media inquiries, Group Lotus plc ("Lotus") can today confirm that, following an operational review, chief executive Dany Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus' penultimate parent company, DRB-Hicom Berhad."
Things have been looking up lately car-wise
DRB-Hicom has stressed 'business as usual', even though it quite clearly isn't, and has parachuted in a group of its own executives to handle the day-to-day running of Lotus in Bahar's absence.
It's too early to say if this is likely to be a permanent move but, if it were, it's safe to say many of Lotus's more passionate fans would not be sad to see Bahar leave, his tenure at Hethel the cause of no little controversy. Thankfully, and of late, we have at least seen evidence that the firm still has the ability to build great cars, the Exige S and Elise S we drove recently proof of that.
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andyroo
Original Poster
2,226 posts
79 months
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With any luck, 'Swizz Beatz' will be shown the same door. I do hope Lotus survives 
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only1ian
148 posts
63 months
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Death by a thousand cuts!? If government bailout money is mentioned ill be concerned about lotus becoming the next rover
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lionrampant
569 posts
59 months
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Am I misreading the various other stories about this out there, or does it look like he's been trying to sell Lotus off and then benefit from the payout he is contractually guaranteed?
Feel free to correct me, it just looked that way.
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escortwagon
1,346 posts
21 months
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mrclav
336 posts
92 months
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andyroo said: With any luck, 'Swizz Beatz' will be shown the same door. Why?
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court
873 posts
85 months
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Tydeides
190 posts
66 months
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Feel sorry for Bahar and Lotus
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andyroo
Original Poster
2,226 posts
79 months
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tommy vercetti
3,303 posts
32 months
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Tydeides said: Feel sorry for Bahar and Lotus Same
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rallycross
4,661 posts
106 months
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Hitch78
3,836 posts
63 months
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Lotus is f  ked.
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Pommygranite
4,158 posts
85 months
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Anyone explain in plain english what's going?
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The Crack Fox
8,086 posts
61 months
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Pommygranite said: Anyone explain in plain english what's going? DRB Hicom have temperarily suspended Bahar in order to conduct an invetigation over something, make of that what you will, I'm guessing a) they're just being unpleasant to him in order to squeeze him out, or b) the due dilligence proccess has uncovered some fingers in the till behavior or something. It's sad, at a time when Lotus have a cracking line up, and some great plans, they seems to stumble. Good luck to the boys and girls at Hethel. 
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thewheelman
2,194 posts
42 months
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Hitch78 said: Lotus is f ked. I hope you're wrong, but fear you're right.
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61GT
222 posts
49 months
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The Crack Fox said: .......... Good luck to the boys and girls at Hethel. +1
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KDIcarmad
703 posts
20 months
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61GT said: The Crack Fox said: .......... Good luck to the boys and girls at Hethel. +1 +2 If only I had last nights euro-lottory!
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WillBrumBrum
581 posts
67 months
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When I first read the title I thought Dany Bahar was bringing out a special edition of suspension!
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Mr_B
4,732 posts
112 months
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Hitch78 said: Lotus is f ked. Nope, just getting back to what Lotus does best.
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mrclav
336 posts
92 months
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andyroo said: No need to patronise, I obviously know the story and while we're here let's get something straight - Mr. Dean is primarily known as an extremely successful music producer before being known as a rapper and he is actually a car fanatic, basically a sort of hip-hop version of Jay Kay. So again I ask, what's your problem with him? Has he mis-appropriated Lotus funds like Mr. Bahar appears to have done? He's styled an Evora (which I think is done in quite good taste) and is basically being paid to make sure he puts Lotus cars in his music videos and does the same for his friends in the industry - it's a smart strategy really. Hip hop has an impact on global pop culture that is startling at times, whether you want to accept it or it - if you know what the word 'bling' means, you prove this point. I always hear people like you talking about how you don't want rappers/drug-dealers/chavs/whatever-other-boring-stereotype-you-can-mention (aka those who actually have money to afford one) to buy Lotus cars because apparently doing so damages the precious image of the brand not to mention causing Colin Chapman to spin in his grave but I want to know who you think SHOULD (and more importantly, will) buy them... To be fair though, it unfortunately looks very bad for Hethel should the allegations against Mr. Bahar are proven to be true...
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Fetchez la vache
4,233 posts
83 months
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Mr_B said: Hitch78 said: Lotus is f ked. Nope, just getting back to what Lotus does best. Getting f ked?
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