Dany Bahar. Image: Lotus
Group Lotus Plc has announced the termination of its former CEO, Dany Bahar, effective immediately, without releasing any additional details on his dismissal. The move comes as no surprise, since Bahar was suspended for conduct on May 25, pending an investigation by Lotus’ new parent company, DRB-HICOM.
Bahar was recruited by Lotus to replace its former CEO, Mike Kimberly, following his retirement in 2009. Prior to joining Lotus, Bahar was senior vice president for the commercial and brand department at Ferrari, which also included marketing and licensing for Scuderia Ferrari. Bahar’s age (37 when he was hired by Lotus) and background in motorsport marketing were seen as necessary components to ensure future growth of the Lotus brand.
Until a new CEO can be found, Lotus’ new Chief Operating Officer, Aslam Farikullah, will likely be wearing multiple hats. While DRB-HICOM appears to be committed to Lotus (for now, anyway), the CEO’s chair at the boutique sports car brand doesn’t exactly come with job security, and that’s not going to make the search for Bahar’s replacement any easier.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
