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Is Proton about to hit the wall?

It looks like Proton is in trouble. Its bank reserves are only a fraction of what they were a couple of years ago, and Perodua has overtaken it in the vital domestic market. I say vital because, at best, Proton exports 20,000 cars a year.

Perodua, owned by Daihatsu, for which read Toyota, is proving a more popular choice because cars from state-owned Proton are renowned for poor build-quality and even worse residual values.

Meanwhile governmental strife within Malaysia may hamper any plans to flog Proton to the highest bidder. In terms of political hot potatoes, Proton calls for oven gloves.

But why should this concern us? Because as Proton falters Lotus blossoms, and since the Hethel company is owned by Proton it could become a pawn in some kind of high-finance leverage package much the same as Volvo in Ford’s bid for a massive loan.

As an owner of a Type 49 Elise 111S, I can just about forgive the company for the Europa. I can even forgive it for the VX220 Turbo from which the Europa evolved. Moreover I can turn a blind eye to the company’s original flirtation with Proton, even though it led to a shotgun wedding.

But I shall never forgive Lotus if, when Proton hits the wall, as Proton surely must, it doesn’t leave a single stone unturned to secure British finance, British backing, British ownership. Somebody out there must be able to stump up the cash: Lotus Engineering is a major force in automotive research and development, quite apart from Lotus Cars, and we should bring them back to Britain, because they’re worth it.