PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was today briefed on the future direction of Group Lotus, which produces high-end sports and racing cars, in a closed-door session in London.

The briefing was given by Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng, who is also vice-president and chief technology officer of Geely Auto Group.

Dr Mahathir is believed to have gotten a glimpse of a mock model of the latest Lotus vehicle.

Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) bought a 49.9% stake in Proton Holdings Bhd, as well as 51% in Lotus, both owned by Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom, last year.

Dr Mahathir is former chairman of Lotus and Proton.

Present at the briefing were Malaysian tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary and DRB-Hicom CEO Syed Faisal Albar.

Dr Mahathir also inspected the new London electric taxi, which is owned by Geely.

The prime minister arrived about midnight for the second leg of his working visit to the UK. He was earlier in New York, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly. – Bernama, September 30, 2018.