Due to the changes in European crash safety regulations for the 2000 model year, Lotus needed to replace the original Elise, and they struck a deal with General Motors in order to have sufficient investment for a new car.
Due to the changes in European crash safety regulations for the 2000MY, Lotus needed to replace the original Elise. In October 1999, they struck a deal with General Motors in order to have sufficient investment for a new car.