Group Lotus appoints Mike Johnstone as VP commercial

Group Lotus has appointed Mike Johnstone to lead the company’s global commercial operations in a new vice-president's role.

Bringing together the existing sales, aftersales, brand and PR functions into a newly formed global commercial division under Johnstone’s leadership, his team will be responsible for all product lines across all territories.

Working with the group’s other vice presidents, including Matt Windle (group VP and managing director, Lotus Cars),  Johnstone will report directly to Feng Qingfeng, group chief executive officer, under the Group Lotus umbrella.

Johnstone joins Group Lotus from Volvo Cars where he most recently led the global marketing team in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Prior to Volvo Cars, Johnstone has held various sales and marketing roles at brands including Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki Motors.

The group said Johnstone’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era in the transformation of the Lotus brand, as the company continues the expansion of its model range, grows its international footprint and aims to reach more than 100,000 sales by 2028 when the company marks its 80th year.

At the start of 2022, Lotus UK made the switch to an agency model agreement for its expanding car retail network.

Lotus began the handover of its first Emira models in December 2022.

Last year, Lookers’ Charles Hurst car retail division has struck an agreement with Lotus Cars to develop its only dealership in Northern Ireland.

Johnstone's appointment is effective immediately and he will be based in London.