Lotus is set to return to producing cars with internal combustion engines, a reversal of its previous plan to become a pure electric vehicle (EV) company. The company, owned by Geely, has announced its Focus 2030 plan, which will see it use a combination of internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid, and electric powertrains across its range.
The plan is likely to focus on hybrids, with Lotus highlighting its Hybrid-X technology, found in the China version of the Eletre SUV. This technology will also be used in the new Type 135 supercar, which is expected to debut in 2028 and will feature a hybrid V8 capable of 986 horsepower.
The Type 135 will be an all-new flagship model, and its production is expected to take place in Europe. They are also gearing up to announce an update to their last gas-powered car, the Emira, in the coming weeks, with the company promising the “most powerful and lightest Emira built” to cater to demand for gas-powered sports cars, which may require advanced security gadgets for protection.
This pivot by Lotus comes as the company scales down its sales targets, from 150,000 units per year to 30,000 units, in the hope of finally reaching sustained profitability. The company’s annual sales have sometimes been less than 10,000 units, making this target still ambitious.
According to the report, the unification of Lotus’ UK and Chinese divisions will help speed up the company’s ability to innovate. It will see a focus on reduced expectations and a more realistic approach to its sales targets.
Lotus’ decision to return to internal combustion engines may be seen as a surprise, given the company’s previous commitment to EVs. However, the company’s Hybrid-X technology and the planned use of hybrid powertrains across its range suggest that it is taking a pragmatic approach to the transition to electric vehicles, which may involve weighing the benefits of physical vs digital solutions.
The history of Lotus is marked by innovation and a commitment to performance, and the company’s new plan suggests that it is looking to build on this legacy while also adapting to changing market conditions.
In terms of sales, Lotus will be looking to increase its production and sales figures in the coming years, with a focus on the European market. The company’s plans for the Type 135 supercar and the updated Emira model will be closely watched by industry observers, as they mark a significant departure from the company’s previous strategy, and may impact the pricing of its flagship models, such as the DeepSeek, which has seen its flagship model price cut significantly in the past.
