Friday 2nd May 2014

New Lotus CEO appointed

Dany Bahar's replacement finally confirmed as Jean Marc Gales

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It's taken a while, but it appears Lotus has at last achieved closure on the Dany Bahar era with the confirmation of a new CEO. Without an interim appointment ever filling the role, Jean Marc Gales is Bahar's replacement.

Gales has held roles at GM, VW and Daimler

Described as a 'known industry player', Luxembourgian Gales comes from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers where he has been CEO since 2012. Perhaps more relevantly for Lotus's future thought is Gales' tenure as President of Peugeot/Citroen from 2009-2012. The successful range of Citroen DS models was launched under his tutelage with record retail sales for Citroen in 2009 and 2010.

Gales has also held positions at Daimler, GM and VW so comes to the role with a wealth of experience. Proton's CEO, Dato' Abdul Harith Abdullah said of Gales' appointment: "We believe that with his strong technical and managerial expertise and leadership, Jean-Marc will be able to drive the Lotus transformation plan and further enhance Lotus' business and capabilities."

Having spent time with both the Elise S and Evora recently, we're in no doubt that Lotus can build some exceptional cars. Hopefully with this appointment, plus the recent Government investment, can turn round the management side of Lotus too.

[darkangelv2]

"Having spent time with both the Elise S and Evora recently, we're in doubt that Lotus can build some exceptional cars. Hopefully with this appointment, plus the recent Government investment, can turn round the management side of Lotus too."

Typo??

[Ryvita]

"Having spent time with both the Elise S and Evora recently, we're in doubt that Lotus can build some exceptional cars."

I really hope there's meant to be a "not" in that sentence Matt... :S

Edit: Beaten to it. Maybe it's deliberate, who knows.

Either way, good to see a figure with a decent track record in place. Was down at Bell & Colvill last week and there's plenty of "SOLD" signs on the used Exiges and Evoras but how that translates into new registrations/sales I don't know.

Edited by Ryvita on Friday 2nd May 11:45

[eliotrw]

The last but one sentence, We're in NO doubt or we are IN doubt?

Looks like a typo as the sentence seemed positive

[benters]

wish him well. . .new models please !!!!

[Rawwr]

I see they both shop at the Awful Tie Shop.

[Oddball RS]

PSA - Parts supplier - Lotus,

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

[kambites]

Hopefully he can turn the company around to profitability, but I'm not holding my breath.

Out of interest, is he CEO of Group Lotus, or of Lotus Cars?

[braddo]

darkangelv2 said:

"Having spent time with both the Elise S and Evora recently, we're in doubt that Lotus can build some exceptional cars. Hopefully with this appointment, plus the recent Government investment, can turn round the management side of Lotus too."

Typo??

The last sentence is missing something too - there is no object doing the "turning round."

And Jean Marc should be hyphenated?

[Matt Bird]

darkangelv2 said:

"Having spent time with both the Elise S and Evora recently, we're in doubt that Lotus can build some exceptional cars. Hopefully with this appointment, plus the recent Government investment, can turn round the management side of Lotus too."

Typo??

Typo! Definite, definite typo. Highlighted by Lotus in fact in an email... Read by Mr Trent also and evaded his eagle eyes too. Tweaked now. We know Lotus make very good cars, apologies for any confusion!

Matt

[Pistachio]

Great new CEO
now Lotus can we after soooo many years get on with the task of becoming at least nearly as good as Italians for emotion and reliability of the Japanese with fit and finish of the Germans, with shed loads of great English engineering thrown in. You have plenty of practice of getting it wrong so you should have only to get it right now and start making money....Or?

[renaultgeek]

they should create a model to sit under the elise, take on the mx5 buyers.

[Pistachio]

Sadly though bigger super cars make more money in low volumes where as smaller cheaper cars you have to sell loads to make the money Lotus need.
Get the icon car going then you might have a chance at doing something for the masses otherwise it will always be the cheap end of the scale.

[GregorFuk]

Looks like we'll continue to see Peugeot switch gear in Lotus' for a few years yet.

[Alfa159Ti]

The Crack Fox said:

Ex Citroen and Peugeot? God help Lotus...

Citroen have produced some hugely successful and characterful models in the past five years, whilst Peugeot are now finally starting to build cars that don't make me sick in my own mouth when I see them and that (reportedly) drive quite well.

The new 308 is actually quite a handsome car.

Lotus need to broaden their appeal from eccentric trackday specials if they are going to survive so hopefully the new chaps experience will come in useful.

Now get on with building the new Esprit please Lotus!

[lauda]

Alfa159Ti said:

The Crack Fox said:

Ex Citroen and Peugeot? God help Lotus...

Citroen have produced some hugely successful and characterful models in the past five years, whilst Peugeot are now finally starting to build cars that don't make me sick in my own mouth when I see them and that (reportedly) drive quite well.

The new 308 is actually quite a handsome car.

Unfortauntely Peugeot's share price over the last 5 years doesn't paint a particularly rosy picture of his tenure...

[Ryvita]

Matt Bird said:

Typo! Definite, definite typo. Highlighted by Lotus in fact in an email... Read by Mr Trent also and evaded his eagle eyes too. Tweaked now. We know Lotus make very good cars, apologies for any confusion!

Matt

Interesting to know that the mothership keeps as close an eye on you as we do.

Hello Hethel, are you receiving? This is Loyal Owner #1571-bravo reporting in. Please keep up the good work, I say again, keep up the good work. Over.

[Itsallicanafford]

...if i was in his shoes, for the life of me, i would not know what Lotus should do. So many competitors in so many segements making such good cars.

..really hope he is brilliant.

[SuperHangOn]

Are Lotus in trouble? I haven't seen a newish Lotus on the road for, err, since ages. First gen Elises were two a penny a few years back.

[ettore]

lauda said:

Unfortauntely Peugeot's share price over the last 5 years doesn't paint a particularly rosy picture of his tenure...

He's a good guy (there was on overall Group CEO at PSA during that time) with decent experience at Mercedes and VAG - importantly he was the key sponsor for the Peugeot Le Mans effort (cancelled when he left).

I wish him the best of luck, he's well networked and a good sales and marketing leader who's also a proper "car guy".

[Europa1]

"it appears Lotus has at last achieved closure on the Dany Bahar era"

Almost - the Employment Tribunal case is coming up in the next month or 2? (unless they have settled recently).

I actually think Bahar had some decent ideas about where to take Lotus, but the execution varied between weird and awful - Naomi "what is a blood diamond" Campbell, obscure rapper bloke and the Badger's Friend...