LOTUS EXPANDS EXECUTIVE LINEUP BY TWO, ONE FROM FERRARI

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

LOTUS EXPANDS EXECUTIVE LINEUP BY TWO, ONE FROM FERRARI

By Mark Kleis

Lotus has previously made it perfectly clear that it has no intentions of continuing with business as usual, and as such, today Lotus has secured two highly qualified executives in order to help make its major transition.

The first individual worth mentioning is Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, who previously was involved with the BMW Group, among others. Kalbfell will aid Lotus by joining the Group Lotus management team, and will provide operational support and advise Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar regarding the most efficient delivery of the business plan.

“I have many years and some very demanding positions under my belt which allow me a lot of experience to draw upon. I’m ready for all the challenges that Lotus will bring,” said Kalbfell.

The second major addition to the executive lineup is that of Guillaume Chabin, who previously held numerous senior positions at Ferrari in addition to his involvement in the re-launch of the Bentley brand. Chabin will aid Lotus in the role of director of sales.

Speaking of Guillaume Chabin, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said, “Having worked with Guillaume previously, I’m fully aware of his capabilities – his business skills and understanding of the vision we have for Lotus complement our existing management line-up perfectly.”

link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/lotus-expands-executive-lineup-by-two-one-from-ferrari.html

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Ferrari General Manager heads to Lotus

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd 2010 at 9:32AM

It's no secret that Lotus has its sights set firmly on Ferrari. Need proof? Well, besides the fact that company CEO Dany Bahar (who's previous job was as an executive at Ferrari) has come right out and said as much, we have the (smallest to largest in this order): Elise, Elan, Esprit, Elite and Eterne concepts from the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

It's not the least bit surprising, then, to find out that Lotus has just appointed Guillaume Chabin, formerly of Ferrari and Bentley, to serve as its new Director of Sales. Further, Lotus has hired Karl-Heinz Kalbfell from BMW, who "will provide operational support and advise Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar on the most efficient delivery of the business plan."

Hit the jump for the complete press release, which includes statements from Bahar on each of these new hires.

[source: Lotus]

Show full PR text

New Additions to the Lotus Line-Up

Lotus add to expertise with two further appointments: industry leader Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and former Ferrari General Manager (EMEA), Guillaume Chabin.

With an unrivaled pedigree in the automotive industry, Karl-Heinz Kalbfell makes a welcome addition to the Group Lotus management team. Based at the Lotus headquarters in Hethel, Kalbfell, formerly of the BMW Group, will provide operational support and advise Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Bahar on the most efficient delivery of the business plan.

In addition to Kalbfell, Lotus has appointed Guillaume Chabin as Director of Sales. Chabin held senior positions at Ferrari and prior to this he was involved in the re-launch of Bentley.

Commenting on the appointments, Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: "We are very pleased to have both Karl-Heinz and Guillaume on board. One of the keys to the success of any business is having exceptionally talented people working together effectively, and Karl-Heinz has incredible experience from working in extremely senior positions throughout the automotive industry to bring to the table - he has proven time and time again to have the qualities necessary to succeed in a difficult and fickle industry. His main role initially will be to bring together all our existing efforts across the departments and ensure that we are working effectively as a united force. It's not enough to have a great business plan on paper, we need to deliver, Karl-Heinz will play a crucial role in making this happen."

"Having worked with Guillaume previously, I'm fully aware of his capabilities – his business skills and understanding of the vision we have for Lotus complement our existing management line-up perfectly."

Karl-Heinz Kalbfell said: "I've been aware of Lotus over the years and like many in the industry, I have watched with growing interest as Lotus has developed under Dany Bahar and his team. It's not often that you get the opportunity to work with such an iconic automotive brand at such an exciting stage of its development and I really feel that now is the perfect time for me to contribute towards the future of Lotus. I have many years and some very demanding positions under my belt which allow me a lot of experience to draw upon. I'm ready for all the challenges that Lotus will bring."

Commenting on his new role, Guillaume Chabin, Director of Sales for Lotus Cars, said: "Joining Lotus was an easy decision for me to make – having previously been involved in the re-birth of an iconic British brand when I was working at Bentley, I know the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead – this is a crucial time for Lotus and I'm very happy to be on board."

link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/03/ferrari-general-manager-heads-to-lotus/

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Lotus hires former BMW, Ferrari execs

Former BMW, Alfa boss Kalbfell recruited by UK sports car brand

BRAD CONSTANT

AutoWeek -- December 3, 2010 07:58 CET

Lotus Cars has added former BMW executive and Alfa Romeo CEO Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and ex-Ferrari executive Guillaume Chabin to its management lineup.

Kalbfell will advise Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and provide operational support at the company's headquarters in Hethel, England.

"It's not often that you get the opportunity to work with such an iconic automotive brand at such an exciting stage of its development, and I really feel that now is the perfect time for me to contribute toward the future of Lotus," Kalbfell said.

Kalbfell worked in engineering and marketing while at BMW, where he was responsible for the early BMW M sedans. He also was vital in putting the BMW V12 into McLaren's Formula One supercar and forged the engine-supply deal with Morgan Motor Co.

He left BMW in 2004 after a short stint as CEO of BMW's Rolls-Royce brand to head Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo and Maserati. He later quit Fiat because of differences with Fiat group chairman Sergio Marchionne, according to U.K. enthusiast magazine Autocar.

Kalbfell will ensure Lotus executives work as a "united force."

"Karl-Heinz has incredible experience from working in extremely senior positions throughout the automotive industry to bring to the table--he has proven time and time again to have the qualities necessary to succeed in a difficult and fickle industry," said Bahar. "His main role initially will be to bring together all our existing efforts across the departments and ensure that we are working effectively as a united force."

Chabin, who is the former director of Ferrari's North Europe division, will be the company's new director of sales. He was an executive at Bentley during the brand's rebirth as a high-performance, luxury marque.

"Joining Lotus was an easy decision for me to make, having previously been involved in the rebirth of an iconic British brand when I was working at Bentley," Chabin said.

Lotus, which is owned by the Malaysian carmaker Proton, aims to boost worldwide sales to 8,000 in 2015 from about 2,500 cars last year.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101203/ANE/101209919/1193#ixzz173taeIgB