Apparently all this talk of being sold have hit morale in Norwich and Proton Managing Director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir made assurances that they are still committed to Lotus, but it all depends on what the new shareholders have to say about it.
Of course the real fate of Lotus will depend very much on what the new owners have to say and DRB-Hicom is expected to pass all the administrative hurdles by March.
Repeated queries to DRB about Proton has been met with the same answer, they will make the decisions after completing the purchase and receiving full information about Proton and all its businesses.
Meanwhile in Europe it appears as if Lotus chief, Danny Bahar is already making alternative plans, evidenced by various reports that he is looking for a new investor in the company.
We will keep you posted on the latest development in Proton-DRB as it happens.
We have excerpts from the Malaysian Insider's story with Syed Zainal
Proton MD says no plans yet to sell Lotus as rumours hit morale
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — Proton has denied making any firm decision on selling British sports car icon Lotus, the Financial Times reported today.
Proton managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir gave his assurance to the influential financial daily that the national carmaker remains committed to Lotus and was not about to get “cold feet and suddenly stop everything”.
“As management today, our plan as Proton and Lotus is to continue the business plan based on what we did before, unless the new shareholder comes in and tells us what to do next.
“So despite what you hear – rumours based on management disposing this or that – no decision has been made,” Syed Zainal Abidin was reported as saying.
He was responding to rumours of the sale, which the Financial Times said has hit morale at Lotus, its relationships with suppliers and sales.
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