In 1990 the company acquired Evante Sports Cars. Evante produced a 1960's Lotus Elan look-alike. He led the team that re-engineered the Evante sports car to a new specification within five months, and, at the same time identified a market for a low cost mid-engined British sports car. He initiated the design and development of a prototype - The Zero.
Even though the business had achieved 35% gross profit with 9% net operating profit within two years of start-up (profit percentage figures that were maintained for the following three years) there was a continuing contraction in their main markets due to a prolonged economic recession throughout Europe and other export areas. Because of this, Kyri instigated and professionally implemented the planned closure of the Automobile operations. There was a cash surplus of £1.2m from the closure of the operations. This was transferred to a holding company.
