Lotus responds to the call from China

Lotus Engineering China will be based in Shanghai and led by Ben Boycott, an English automotive engineer with nine years experience in the region. His team includes staff from Lotus Engineering’s base in Hethel, UK, and experienced local engineers with a wealth of knowledge of the Chinese automotive industry.

China is the world’s fastest growing automotive market, with forecasts suggesting over 30% annual growth of light vehicle sales over the next few years. "We already have positive ongoing relationships with the Chinese vehicle manufacturers who seek to exploit substantial opportunities in the rapidly expanding domestic market," explains Ben Boycott, general manager, Lotus Engineering China.

"With a new team in place, Lotus is now in an excellent position to more effectively provide domestic producers with advanced innovative solutions for the development and production of modern, world-class automotive products."

Lotus Engineering’s activity in China has been steadily increasing over the last decade, most significantly in the last 2 years. It is currently working with several clients on a range of powertrain and vehicle engineering programmes, and is in detailed negotiations for further high value projects totalling in excess of Rmb770 million (£50 million).

"The level of discussions with current and potential clients in China has exceeded that which can be managed from the UK," explains Simon Wood, director of Lotus Engineering. "It’s very encouraging that we’ve now reached a point that requires a local dedicated business development and project execution team to field that demand."

Lotus is awaiting completion of its permanent offices in Shanghai’s prestigious new hi-tech Jin Qiao business park. In the interim, from 8th March, it will occupy temporary offices in the Jin Mao Tower, also in Shanghai.