Carbon Motors Teams up with Lotus Engineering

ATLANTA--Carbon Motors Corporation and Lotus Engineering jointly announced today that the two companies will collaborate on the development of the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

The first of its kind, this special purpose vehicle will provide a superior performing product with a much safer and more efficient operating environment for law enforcement officers, and offer a significantly lower total cost-of-ownership. A significant reduction in CO2 emissions is targeted in addition to a 30% - 50% fuel economy improvement.

William Santana Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carbon Motors, remarked, “We have been seeking a world-class high technology engineering alliance that would help us provide the best possible vehicle for our country’s First Responders -- we have found that in Lotus Engineering. We thank the team at Lotus for joining the cause to provide the over 800,000 women and men in uniform patrolling our homeland with the appropriate equipment to help keep our cities safe. This project is projected to create well over 10,000 new direct and indirect American jobs with a positive economic impact of over $3 billion. Lotus will be playing a key role in helping us to achieve our goals. “

Lotus offers globally a full suite of automotive engineering services. They are capable of taking a project from initial concept and product design, through development, testing and prototype build, and can also provide high quality production support. Having been engaged by the majority of the world’s top automakers and suppliers, Lotus Engineering has been involved in the development of a number of innovative products including the Aston Martin Vanquish, the Opel Speedster, as well as its own portfolio of vehicles which Lotus Cars sells globally under its own brand.

“I am personally very excited at this opportunity to demonstrate, not only to the USA, but also to the world what two creative companies such as Carbon Motors Corporation and Lotus Engineering can achieve. We will do everything possible to ensure the success of this tremendously exciting, innovative and creative project which, in my personal view, will meet the needs of the law enforcement automotive segment in the USA,“ said Michael J Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus plc.

Trevor J Rudderham, Carbon Motors Vice President and Chief Development Officer, commented, “Lotus Engineering is a great fit with Carbon Motors. Their extensive experience with aluminum structures and composite materials ties in perfectly with our product assumptions. Their acknowledged expertise in vehicle dynamics and fuel economy aligns very well with our customers needs. Perhaps most importantly, however, their ‘change the rules’ mantra resonates strongly with Carbon Motors approach. I am expecting great things from this relationship.”

Simon Wood, Engineering Director, Lotus Engineering said “The innovative business model, strong product proposition and demonstrated market demand, combined with seasoned and experienced leadership provide the key ingredients to make Carbon Motors successful. Lotus Engineering is very keen and excited to bring our technical know-how to the project to not only ensure that the law enforcement customer’s needs are met, but also to demonstrate that the rules can indeed be changed in the automotive sector. Lotus’ reputation in the CleanTech arena is growing fast and our involvement with Carbon Motors will accelerate this trend with the high-tech clean diesel offered at the product’s launch and also by working on in-cycle actions for additional clean technology derivatives.”

About Carbon Motors Corporation

Carbon Motors Corporation is developing and will manufacture, distribute, and service the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. You can learn more at www.carbonmotors.com.

About Group Lotus plc

The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd., which has two operating divisions – Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognized automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, United Kingdom with additional global technology centers in the USA, Malaysia, Germany, and China. Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world’s OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party ‘niche vehicle’ engineering and manufacture worldwide. Lotus Cars builds and sells Lotus sports cars, Elise, Exige and Europa for global distribution. You can learn more at www.grouplotus.com.