Bibs Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 JMG gone! https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/exclusive-lotus-boss-jean-marc-gales-departs-car-maker Quote His replacement at Lotus is Quingfeng Feng, who joined Lotus’s board at the time of the Geely acquisition. On Feng, Gales said: “He is a good guy and a good choice. He can unlock the synergies which exist between Volvo, Lynk & Co, Polestar and Lotus.” Quote Gales will move to the Essex-based classic car dealer and restorer, JD Classics, recently in the news for its £9m dispute with a customer over “fixed” classic car prices. 2 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frimley111R Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Quite a shock. Management fall out I imagine if he has gone so quickly. Shame as he seemed to be good head for the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Gosh - and here comes the new broom Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted June 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Probably exactly the opposite of what is going to happen Barry. Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Broom was not a car related reference Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravo73 Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Au revoir, JMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM mayevora Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Why oh why cannot Lotus have any long term consistency at its helm? It’s starting to remind me of a Football team where the board becomes unhappy with their Manager every so many months 1 Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM CocoPops Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Sad thing is, that is long term Quote Current: 2021 Lotus Elise Cup 250 FE in Isotope Green, Red Alcantara Interior, Carbon Aero Kit, AirCon, Carpets & Mats, NVH pack, Cruise Control, Stereo, Red Calipers. Now Gone: 2018 Lotus Elise Sport 220 in Metallic Blue, Alcantara Pack, Forged Wheels, 2piece brakes, AirCon, Hard/Soft Tops, Red Calipers, Stereo, Interior Colour Pack, NVH Pack, Carpets, Mats. Previously Owned: 2016 Lotus Evora 400, 2010 Lotus Evora NA, 2003 VX220 Supercharged, 2001 VX220 Lightning Yellow Follow my Lotus journey here: http://www.FaceBook.com/HandmadeInHethel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GFWilliams Posted June 4, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Good news I reckon, bring on the new era of Lotus! Hopefully with quality car parts and some actual development of the cars, as opposed to everything being determined by the cost. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parramint Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Great news..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bravo73 Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 9 minutes ago, mayesprit said: Why oh why cannot Lotus have any long term consistency at its helm? It’s starting to remind me of a Football team where the board becomes unhappy with their Manager every so many months To extend your football analogy, new club owners more often than not results in a new manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM mayevora Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I’d love to hear MJK’s thoughts on this. Lets see if Mr Feng can last for more than 2-3 years. Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Günter Posted June 4, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 ..sounds more like the typical 'dismantle' of a company after Chineese occupation - is this guy from China in any relation to European automotive development or brand history ?? I personally would not wonder if his background is more financial related, as "synergies" often means to take over from other products and brands to create more outcome with less people. Especially as the market chances and investment capabilities for an small exotic carmaker, who still builds the cars in Europe, is not that good - compared to cheap Chineese workfleet. Volvo is bigger in terms of sales and product range, so that's why it is not so easy to transfer this brand completely to China. Lotus on the other hand .. Anyway - an automotive business manager who goes to a relatively small "non OEM" private company, this sounds suspicious. Was he just in the way and blocked the Chineese to take absolute control up to now.. hmm ? 2 Quote ********************************************************************* to name the things if I see them, that's what I call integrity.. ********************************************************************* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_marra Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Oh dear. I was hoping JMG would be around for much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted June 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Official Press Release Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parramint Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Gales told Autocar that he was leaving for "personal reasons" and that it was "time to move on". He departs his job today and described it as "a very emotional day", adding: "Lotus has been in my heart for 50 years." ’in my heart for 50 years’....what a joke, it’s been in his heart for 4 years, every time the cheque hit his account. Thank goodness someone has closed his toy box, as told to me by a Lotus engineer a few months ago. Lotus was in my heart for over 55 years and he ripped it out after five minutes...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Oh bollox! Real shame, he was real talent and was turning the company around. My guess is he was shown the door. Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashead1105 Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 The Exige he's stood by looks great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nello Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) I thought that Will and I'm not a massive Exige groupie! Sorry to see JMG go as he appears to have turned things around financially but with any organisation - a new owner usually means new bosses. Asia is a big market / fan base for Lotus so I sincerely hope the rise will continue - though what we really need are new models (OK and a return to top-flight racing on different levels if I'm really going to declare my dream-list!) Edited June 4, 2018 by nello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suffolk009 Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I'm a bit saddened by this. I'm aware of rumours that he wasn't hugely liked by the workforce (what boss who has to lay-off that many staff ever is though). I like what he did with the cars though. It's exciting times with new models on the near-horizon and I can't wait to see what they're like. But that's tempered by a serious worry that they will all be four-cylinder turbo engines with flappy-paddles and high-end interiors. And a bit heavier. I'm sure they'll be great, but not what I want in a Lotus. But then no car company will ever get rich, let alone survive, pandering to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NedaSay Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I don't really know what to think of this! Awful timing im, the spin on this is going to be particularly bad. I was one of JMG "supporters", I think he did right by the company on very limited means. It hasn't been all rosy but it's been quite solid. I wonder what's the ground for dismissal cause I can only see a dismissal or very severe fall out being the cause of such an abrupt departure... More than anything I hope this departure and new appointee doesn't rock the boat and they stay the course on the upcoming 3 models. I think It is Geely's first move of the sort on their european brand both Volvo and LEVC have been able to retain their leadership or appoint a swede or british guy to run their business The new CEO appears to be a Geely guy here's a short bio : https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=237414620&capId=9834980&previousCapId=9834980&previousTitle=Geely Automobile Holdings Limited Not quite the CEO profile more of an R&D Type... Is he going to be a place holder until someone else takes ? Or is it a fast track position to something else. He's been working on the Emgrand sub brand which means he knows premium cars quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusLeftLotusRight Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) Out of the frying pan and into the fire for JMG then. Jesus with what (allegedly) went on at JD Classics, I hope he knows what's coming! Edited June 4, 2018 by LotusLeftLotusRight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frickin_idiot Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I 3 minutes ago, NedaSay said: I don't really know what to think of this! Awful timing im, the spin on this is going to be particularly bad. I was one of JMG "supporters", I think he did right by the company on very limited means. It hasn't been all rosy but it's been quite solid. I wonder what's the ground for dismissal cause I can only see a dismissal or very severe fall out being the cause of such an abrupt departure... More than anything I hope this departure and new appointee doesn't rock the boat and they stay the course on the upcoming 3 models. I think It is Geely's first move of the sort on their european brand both Volvo and LEVC have been able to retain their leadership or appoint a swede or british guy to run their business The new CEO appears to be a Geely guy here's a short bio : https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=237414620&capId=9834980&previousCapId=9834980&previousTitle=Geely Automobile Holdings Limited Not quite the CEO profile more of an R&D Type... Is he going to be a place holder until someone else takes ? Or is it a fast track position to something else. He's been working on the Emgrand sub brand which means he knows premium cars quite well. A purely personal opinion but I agree that this is a disappointing turn of events. I liked what JMG said and more importantly what he did. I was keen on maintaining stability during the transition to a more sustainable ownership model. Time will tell on whether this was a good move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post auRouge Posted June 4, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 This is a bit like Ross Brawn selling/leaving his team! It's a bit sad😕 Geely now has full control. Maybe they'll reinstate Danny as head of marketing🚁🛩🕺🏼🍾🥃🚬 😂😂😂 Well done JMG, thank you for rescuing Lotus! 👍🏼 You got things under control and added quality 👏🏼 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kimbers Posted June 4, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Guys, its a reasonable decision by Geely. Many of you bemoaning JMG leaving but it is for the best. Can you remember why JMG was taken on? If you do you know it was to "steady the ship" in terms of finances, at a time when Dany Blowhard had destroyed any credability Lotus had in terms of Finances. The Company was in a terrible state and only weeks away from Bankruptcy. So what do you do in these times? You hire a money man. An accountant. who's sole job is to get finances under control. But what can a "Finance biased" Head of a company not do as well as others? Passion, people, develop new ideas etc etc. Personally I thank JMG for his steady hand on the tiller but now Lotus needs an innovatve head who can push forward with new Products, investment (rather than cost cutting), development, engineering etc. I think this is long overdue and praise geely for knowing they need an innovator at the helm. Well done. 12 Quote Possibly save your life. Check out this website.http://everyman-campaign.org/ Distributor for 'Every Male' grooming products. (Discounts for any TLF members hairier than I am!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.