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30 Sep 2010, 18:56 (Ref:2767369) | #51 | ||
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This is just as valid as HRT picking up and borrowing/buying the rights to Brabham F1 or Virgin calling themselves Tyrrell racing. signed; Senna/Team Lotus fan, Lotus car fan. |
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30 Sep 2010, 20:33 (Ref:2767421) | #52 | ||
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Guess the Chapman family blessing doesn't account for anything then. |
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30 Sep 2010, 20:36 (Ref:2767422) | #53 | |
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Does it even matter if the Chapman family is blessing it? Long live capitalism!
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30 Sep 2010, 20:41 (Ref:2767428) | #54 | ||
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
30 Sep 2010, 22:13 (Ref:2767483) | #55 | ||
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So that's 2 teams with green and yellow cars on the GP2 grid next year? That livery was last used in the late 60's right?
What/who was involved in the 1996-1997 Esprit-Elise GT1 efforts (was it Team Lotus)? And in the recurring rumours of Hunt wanting to come back in F1 with the Lotus name in the last 10 years? To me, the name should go to those who own it and use it to sell road cars (a range of 5 new cars starting from 2014!). Malaysian politics are at work here (and impossible to understand), but I wouldn't underestimate the ex-Ferrari mafia at Lotus and their connections with the FIA and other important people in the sport. |
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30 Sep 2010, 23:45 (Ref:2767532) | #56 | ||
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Tony Fernandes could have picked any historic brand, like Tyrell or Brabham. Why Lotus, when they currently build road and race cars?
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Nitropteron - Fly fast or get crushed! by NaBUrean Prodooktionz naburu38.itch.io |
1 Oct 2010, 06:21 (Ref:2767606) | #57 | ||
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I doubt Bernie would have been pleased had he chosen Brabham, and the Lotus name must have been a big factor on getting him on the grid in the first place. Litespeed had no chance; Lotus on the other hand...
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2 Oct 2010, 02:55 (Ref:2768023) | #58 | |
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Now, the new crop released at the Paris Auto Show... Those are suspect amongst the purists. |
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2 Oct 2010, 10:33 (Ref:2768084) | #59 | |
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The Lotus road car business has been doing fine in the niche they carved out for themselves. It seems they now want to abandon this in favour of something upmarket and elite where they'll be competing against Porsche and Ferrari. The Lotus brand has tried this in the past and has failed dismally. I would be amazed if they don't fail again. Pity.
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2 Oct 2010, 11:39 (Ref:2768106) | #60 | |
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He was talking about Proton. Proton cars can not compete with Japanese or Korean cars, at least not in the European market.
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2 Oct 2010, 13:34 (Ref:2768136) | #61 | ||
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lotus cars really are stuck between a rock and a hard place with where to go next but by picking on lotus racing instead of working with them they're really doing the wrong thing in my opinion. |
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2 Oct 2010, 14:43 (Ref:2768152) | #62 | ||
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I think the problem is Lotus already have a motorsports division, which includes the Evora GT4 and their involvement with KV Racing Technoligies in the IICS and they obviously feel that the brand and its marketing are being affected by Fernandes but I think you are right, they ought to be working with them. As far as Joe Public is concerned the F1 team is part and parcel of Lotus Cars, it has the name and the right color so Lotus should use that to their advantage. Rather than going to court and paying a bunch of lawyers preventing Fernandes from using the name, they should aim for a strategy that will benefit all.
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2 Oct 2010, 16:04 (Ref:2768198) | #63 | ||
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Personally I think they should stay in the Evora/Elise pricing zone and really hammer that in. |
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2 Oct 2010, 16:07 (Ref:2768200) | #64 | ||
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Just seems a waste of time and resources. Historically companies that spread themselves so thin, go bust. |
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3 Oct 2010, 13:42 (Ref:2768627) | #65 | ||
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I wouldn't be surprised if TF might be considering taking over Group Lotus. To be honest, I'm not sure if these new concept cars would be a good idea if they were to hit production, as they're going for a segment of the market that's crowded. TF managed to start his airline business by purchasing a money losing failure from the Malaysian government ...
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3 Oct 2010, 15:01 (Ref:2768651) | #66 | ||
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3 Oct 2010, 16:51 (Ref:2768689) | #67 | |
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... and what happened to Lotus then ?
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3 Oct 2010, 22:44 (Ref:2768843) | #68 | |
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4 Oct 2010, 00:22 (Ref:2768862) | #69 | ||
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Apparently Proton issued a statement at the end of September saying that Group Lotus owned all rights to the Lotus name in the automotive sector, including Formula One, and that Fernandes has no rights to use the brand in the 2011 season.
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
4 Oct 2010, 09:03 (Ref:2768964) | #70 | ||
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I think that even Lotus fanatics would acknowledge that Lotus was always at its best when it concentrated on clever lightweight simplicity... and ran into trouble when it created expensive supercars to go after Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc... I firmly believe this strategy is a massive mistake and I would be saddened if it led to the demise of the business - a distinct possibility. I hope I'm wrong. |
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4 Oct 2010, 16:10 (Ref:2769244) | #71 | ||
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I think there is plenty of room in the $40K-$100K sector to do business and on top of that get people racing. And when you get them racing, you can do a nice parts biz. Not everyone can be Aston or Lamborghini, so I can't see the point. |
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6 Oct 2010, 01:50 (Ref:2770060) | #72 | ||
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Hi guys, been a reader here for a while, but never got round to posting before
i was reading this thread the other day, so when i stumbled upon article whilst searching on an unrelated topic (F1 budgets) i thought it might be of interest. it quotes Fernandes as saying "We have a licensing agreement with Lotus owner Proton and over time that relationship will grow. Lotus will probably buy into the team at some stage. More and more technology from our side will flow into Lotus cars and we will promote the Lotus brand. full article here... |
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6 Oct 2010, 03:12 (Ref:2770074) | #73 | |
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6 Oct 2010, 03:27 (Ref:2770076) | #74 | ||
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"If you're not winning you're not trying." Colin Chapman. |
6 Oct 2010, 04:18 (Ref:2770086) | #75 | ||
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