Jean-Marc Gales steps down from the position as CEO of Lotus and will be replaced by Geely Holding’s Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Feng Qingfeng.
Jean-Marc Gales has stepped down from the post due to personal reasons, however, he will take up the position of Chief Strategic Advisor to Lotus Chairman, Daniel Donghui Li.
Daniel Donghui Li, Chief Financial Officer of Geely Holding and Lotus Cars Chairman, said: “Jean-Marc has stabilized and turned Lotus to profitability for the first time in the iconic brands history with new industry leading products and unique business models since joining the company in 2014. Lotus is poised for the next phase of growth under Feng Qingfeng’s leadership, where its expertise in lightweight materials and sport cars engineering will form part of the wider expansion of Geely’s automotive portfolio. At the same time, I will welcome Jean-Marc‘s Council as Chief Strategic Advisor to myself and the Board of Directors”.
Feng Qingfeng said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to lead this iconic British sports car group. With Geely’s global synergies and total support I am confident that Lotus has an exciting opportunity to achieve its full potential as a luxury sports brand, based around its engineering legacy and its future product pipeline.”
Geely Holding Group is China’s leading privately-owned automotive group. The company acquired a majority holding in Proton – parent company to Lotus – after buying 49.9 per cent shares from HiCOM Bhd (DRB) of Malaysia, the former holding company.
Lotus produce their vehicles in Norfolk, England and, in 2017, the company showed a profit for the first time in history.
Story : Zal Cursetji
