Lotus’ engineering division will be involved in the development of a new range of cars from China’s Jinhua Young-man Auto Company (Youngman). The UK firm will provide Youngman with consultants to help with design work for several new models that will be launched under a new brand over the next five years. Lotus has already work on projects with Youngman spanning the last two and a half years, and now the firm will help with the establishment of an all new brand.

Youngman is already a popular manufacturer of commercial vehicles in China, and the recent acquisition of a license from Chinese authorities has allowed the brand to develop passenger vehicles. Development work on the first model, a four-door saloon, is due to start early next year at Lotus Engineering's Hethel headquarters. Other models are likely to include an economical small car and possibly a performance model.

Youngman is not the only Chinese manufacturer calling on the talents of Lotus Engineering. The company is already working with several clients in both China and India including Nanjing Auto, who will be re-launching the MG brand.