Lotus shows significant growth around the world, and with a new model bue at Geneva, its looking good.

• ·       81% sales increase EU overall
• ·       88% increase in UK
• ·       143% increase in France
• ·       139% increase in Germany
• ·       29% up USA 
•         50% up Canada
• ·       24% up Asia and Middle East
• ·       130% sales increases in China
•         125% in Japan
• ·       Lotus Motorsport shows 19% increase
• ·       163 dealers, 25 more than nine months ago, 50 more by the end of 2015.
• ·       Exciting reveal in Geneva

Announcing that overall sales are up by 54% in the past nine months provides tangible proof that the forward strategy established by Lotus Cars is working. In volume terms, the increase of 551 cars over the previous year, to a total of 1,565, is an excellent result for the British sports car maker.

Lotus has enlarged and strengthened its representation globally, with 25 new dealers enrolled across a number of territories in the past nine months, with another 50 new dealers joining Lotus by the end of 2015.

Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer, Group Lotus plc, said, “Our sales growth and dealer expansion is performing to plan and demonstrates the confidence that our customers have in Lotus. The positive reception that all our new Lotus cars are receiving in both new and established markets shows that our product development strategy is heading in the right direction.”

Lotus is revealing an exciting new car at the important Geneva International Motor Show in early March 2015. The product will remain true to its core pillars of lightness, performance and driving purity by embodying all of them in a most desirable package.

The most recent Elise S Cup model is already creating vital banner headlines and comments like “…most intoxicating sports car at any price” and “…it’s about as much fun as driving gets”, are some of the justified rewards for the effort expended at Hethel; and that is for a version of an existing model….the Geneva reveal will produce even more for the new model.

The demand for Lotus Cars in places like China and Japan continues to grow and market reports are quietly confident that the new model to be unveiled at Geneva will accelerate the sales volumes in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia by considerable margins.

USA - New Honda Heritage Centre opens in Marysville, Ohio.

The Honda Heritage Center in Marysville officially opened its doors today, offering the world a glimpse of the innovative history and growth the company has achieved in Ohio and North America during the past 55 years.

"The new Honda Heritage Center is a collection of Honda dreams in the form of products that are responsible for millions of customer relationships," said Takuji Yamada, chief operating officer of Honda's North American regional operations. "The great variety of products on display – including powersports, power equipment and automobiles, as well as aviation and robotics – together with the major milestones highlighted, tell the stories of Honda associates in Ohio and from throughout North America."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich joined Honda officials and state and local community leaders to celebrate the opening of the new $35 million, 160,000-square-foot facility, which includes a museum, Technical Development Center and office space for Honda North America.

The new museum, which will open to the public in January, pays tribute to Honda's unique tradition and highlights products and significant milestones in the history of Honda in North America, including a natural focus on the role of Honda's operations in Ohio. A vision to dream big is evident throughout the museum, exemplified by the visible evolution of the motorcycles, automobiles and power equipment on display.  In addition, the space honors groundbreaking new Honda technologies such as a replica of the humanoid robot ASIMO and the HondaJet, which will begin customer deliveries in 2015.

In addition to the Honda museum, the building is home to a new Technical Development Center, which is focused on advancing the skills of Honda engineers, equipment service technicians, and production associates involved in auto production at Honda plants in Ohio and throughout North America. This will help prepare Honda and its associates for the 21st century of manufacturing where success will be defined by the successful interaction between associates and advanced technology.

According to Tom Shoupe, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Honda of America Mfg. Inc., the Technical Development Center is significant as Honda's North American operations take on an even greater role in the development and production of global Honda models.

"Honda is committed to investing in its team of associates and this new training center will allow our associates to continually develop their manufacturing skills so that they can lead the production of critical global models," Shoupe said. "As we introduce more sophisticated technologies in our products and in our plants, we are working to ensure that our associates are equipped with the skills required for the manufacturing demands of the future. We view this investment in Honda people as critical to our future success."

The Technical Development Center, supported with a grant from JobsOhio, features five dedicated classrooms and includes robotic manufacturing cells designed to give technicians more hands-on experience. The curriculum provides instruction in basic fundamentals such as fluid power, maintenance math and frequency drives as well as advanced training for specialized areas, such as die molds and machining.

"Honda's Heritage Center showcases this global company's extraordinary growth, including right here in Ohio," said John Minor, JobsOhio President and Chief Investment Officer. "We are proud that Ohio is home to this impressive facility, which will serve as an important hub for Honda and enhance workforce development in the region."