The future’s bright for Lotus

A glimmer of hope in East Anglia.

MALAYSIAN car firm Proton Holdings, have been struggling for some time now. But their future has been secured after a takeover by the Geely Group this week. Which in turn, should be great news for Lotus Cars – who are owned by Proton.

Proton have been struggling due to a major decline in sales. Consequently, this has meant Lotus has been starved from investment into research, development, and with limited resources into making new and exciting sports and performance cars. Meaning funds were drying up for the Norfolk-based company.

With the hands-off treatment of Volvo – along with millions invested into the Swedish marque, and let them do what they do best. In return, they have enjoyed a successful renaissance under Geely. If there is anything to go by given how things have panned out for Volvo. There should be plenty of cause of optimism for Lotus.

Vauxhall makes five million at Ellesmere Port

Vauxhall celebrates a milestone, as the five-millionth car rolled off the production line at the Ellesmere Port plant.

Nissan Qashqai reaches two million mark

NISSAN have announced that the two millionth Qashqai has rolled off the production line in Sunderland this week.

The Qashqai has been the goose that laid the golden egg for Nissan. Launched seven years ago back in 2007 and now into its second generation.

The Japanese manufacturer so far, has made over 2.5 million Qashqais. At the current rate, one fully completed Qashqai rolls off the production line every minute.

This makes Nissan's crossover the fastest selling British built car of all time. Surpassing the new MINI, of which they’ve made the 2.5 million cars rolling off the production line in the space of 10 years from the Cowley plant in Oxford.

It’s an understatement in saying that the Qashqai has been a huge triumph for Nissan. It also kick started the new niche of SUV-cum-hatchback crossover cars. The popularity of them, which many manufacturers soon cottoned onto it, and have made their own imitations of the Qashqai.

With high demand for the Qashqai, which in turn has created more jobs at the Sunderland plant. Helping people keep their jobs as well as create more in the North East. Furthermore, helping the country’s economy. It's also a triumph for Britain’s car industry, and Nissan Manufacturing United Kingdom (NMUK) is an assett to the nation.

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UK Car production success

Britain's car industry is booming up and down the country and Definitely Motoring celebrates.

SOME may tell you that Britain has no car industry anymore and that it’s a sad state of affairs. Granted in the truest sense. There’s no domestically owned British manufacturer these days that makes cars for the mass market. There hasn’t been since MG Rover collapsed in 2005.

But to say there’s no car industry is nonsense. In fact, car manufacturing in the UK is on the up and this can only be great news.