Malaysian national carmaker Proton Holdings is optimistic that a proposed turnaround plan for its unit Lotus Group can be completed in the next two years.

Executive chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil said the optimism was based on increasing demand for sports cars globally and the new management under DRB-Hicom. Proton is a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom.

"To change something that has been there for 16 years is not easy, but the management team is very innovative and forthcoming. We know there is competition in the market.

"However, with our quality and standard enhancements of the Lotus, we are confident we can compete," he said after the launch of Lotus' flagship showroom and its Exige S and Elise S models in Malaysia.

Khamil said Lotus had received 20 orders for the cars in the local market and had delivered 12 cars.

"We are looking at yearly sales of between 100 and 200 units of Lotus cars upon its entry into Malaysia. Globally, we are looking at sales of between 3,000 and 4,000 units in the financial year ending March 2015.

"The biggest markets for Lotus would be China, Japan and the United States," he added.

The RM 7 million (US$ 2.3 million) showroom, covering about 1,060 sq m, consists of sale areas for new and pre-owned Lotus cars, and will be used as a Lotus regional centre, especially as a 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centre.