Lotus Acquires Holden Lightweight Structures

Lotus Statement 15th May 2008: New Lotus Manufacturing Company Offers Greater Flexibility, Lower Weight Solutions and Reduced Time to Market for World’s Motor Industry.

Lotus has created a new manufacturing company which will be responsible for assembling the new chassis for Project Eagle.

The company has bought Holden Lightweight Structures, which employs 120 skilled engineers, technicians and sales staff, and created Lotus Lightweight Structures.

It will be based at the former Holden Lightweight Structures Limited site in Worcester and will continue to manufacture light weight aluminium and composite structures and components.

As well as the forthcoming Eagle the company will continue to assemble the award Elise, Exige and Europa aluminium chassis.

Lotus believes the acquisition will help it ‘create, adapt and change its range of products quickly and effectively, catering for changing global customer demands’.

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus plc, said: ‘I am delighted to announce the creation of Lotus Lightweight Structures following the strategic acquisition of Holden Lightweight Structures Limited.

‘With this facility, we will continue to expand and lead the world in lightweight vehicle research, development and production to help our global client base find ways to reduce the weight and cost from their vehicles.

‘Weight reduction is one of the most attainable ways to lowering CO2 emissions in vehicles today, as well as improving fuel economy and performance, and we have a duty to share our technology with the world’s car makers for everyone’s long term benefit.’

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