Lotus hires former BMW, Ferrari execs

Lotus Cars has added former BMW boss Karl-Heinz Kalbfell and ex-Ferrari executive Guillaume Chabin to its management lineup.

Kalbfell will advise Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and provide operational support at the company's headquarters in Hethel, England.

"It's not often that you get the opportunity to work with such an iconic automotive brand at such an exciting stage of its development, and I really feel that now is the perfect time for me to contribute toward the future of Lotus," said Kalbfell.

Kalbfell worked in engineering and marketing while at BMW, where he was responsible for the early BMW M sedans. He also was vital in putting the BMW V12 into McLaren's Formula One supercar and forged the engine-supply deal with Morgan Motor Co.