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Lotus launches electric GT model as mass expansion plan rolls on

Nick Carey
·2-min read

By Nick Carey

(Reuters) - Lotus unveiled a fully-electric grand tourer (GT) sports car in New York on Thursday, the latest step in the British-based carmaker's plans to go from a niche storied brand to a mass manufacturer with sales of 150,000 cars a year by 2028.

The Emeya will start production in 2024 at a factory in Wuhan, China run by Chinese automaker Geely, which jointly owns Lotus with Malaysia's Etika Automotive.

The GT should have a range of just under 400 miles and have a price roughly comparable to Lotus' Eletre SUV model, which started production this year and ranges in price from 90,000 pounds ($112,300) to 130,000 pounds, Chief Commercial Officer Mike Johnstone told Reuters.

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A GT has luxury features to make it more comfortable for long-distance driving.

The Emeya has a top speed of 155 miles (250 km) per hour. With fast-charging capability it can add 93 miles of range in five minutes.

Johnstone said with Emeya, Lotus is targeting people "looking for something different in an electrified GT-style sports car."

"We expect, as we've already seen with Eletre, to see a number of people come over from German brands," Johnstone added. "We're already seeing people come over from Tesla as well."

Since its founding in 1948, Lotus typically made 5,000 cars a year, but funded by Geely and Etika, the company has planned a massive expansion.

Lotus Technology, which includes Lotus Cars, is also due to go public this year via a merger with special purpose acquisition company L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp.

Johnstone said that public listing remains on track.

Geely has a sprawling carmaking empire and has listed parts of Volvo Cars, including Polestar. Its premium Chinese luxury brand Zeekr is talking to investors about a possible initial public offering.

Geely also plans to turn the London Electric Vehicle Company, which makes iconic black taxis, into a high-volume, all-electric brand.

($1 = 0.8014 pounds)

(Reporting By Nick Carey; Editing by Susan Fenton)