Lotus Technology Global HQ Established in China as Future EV Line-up Plan Unveiled

Lotus Technology, a new division of Group Lotus, has officially launched its global headquarters with a ‘breaking-ground’ ceremony in Wuhan, China.

Lotus Technology is a global ‘intelligent technology’ subsidiary which augments the sports car brand’s technology accumulated over the 73 years that Lotus has existed.

Its role is to accelerate innovation in the fields of batteries and energy management, electric motors, electronic control systems, intelligent driving, intelligent manufacturing and more.

The new Lotus Technology headquarters will be completed in 2024. An all-new Lotus factory, to manufacture Lotus electric vehicles for global markets, will open later in 2021.

In 2022, Lotus will debut an E-segment SUV codenamed Type 132. It will be followed in 2023 by an E-segment four-door coupe, Type 133, and in 2025 by Type 134, a new D-segment SUV. This trio will be joined in 2026 by an all-new electric sports car, Type 135.

The development of the brand’s new premium lifestyle vehicles will take place on the Lotus Premium architecture, one of the four new vehicle platforms announced at the Driving Tomorrow global strategy conference in April. 

Feng Qingfeng, CEO, Group Lotus, says: “This is an important day in the transformation of the Lotus business and brand. Lotus Technology will accelerate the innovation which has always been at the heart of the business. Together the China and UK teams will empower our journey towards an expanded, intelligent and electric future, achieving the ambitions and goals that have been in the making for 73 years of the Lotus brand.”

Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, adds: “Transforming Lotus from a UK sports car company to a truly global performance car company has always been at the core of Vision80. The launch of Lotus Technology is a major milestone on the road to making that a reality, while adhering to the unwavering Lotus principles of pure performance, efficiency, motorsport success and, above all, being ‘For the Drivers’.”

Li Bin, the founder of NIO, has also become an investor in Lotus Technology. Lotus says in the future, both parties may explore opportunities for mutually beneficial industrial cooperation.

Group Lotus is backed by China’s Geely Holding Group, which is the main shareholder of the company.