Dany Bahar suspended
More uncertainty at Hethel as Lotus owners DRB-Hicom suspend Dany 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.
ked. 
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...
To be fair though, it unfortunately looks very bad for Hethel should the allegations against Mr. Bahar are proven to be true...
I don't think Bahar can continue at Lotus, if indeed he sees it past this suspension. Confidence in the man has been seriously dented.
If he really care about the brand, and those who own Lotus had good reason to suspend him, he should step down. In the event that he does resign, the sooner they can find/poach a replacement, the better.
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