Hendy lotus exeter devon

[exeterjeep]

looks like there is a new dealer to on in Exeter, there are some web pages started, it also looks as if they are taking over in southampton

[exeterjeep]

From the map found , it looks to be based in the honda dealership. Will be good to have a dealership in exeter, although there are 2 great specialists not far away. The thought of battling the M5/ holiday traffic to cribbs causeway would be a pain.

[exeterjeep]

drive past both locations today just to see if there were signs of any work starting, but not. The honda showroom does look a little tired anyway.

[mayevora]

At least a decade since we had a Lotus Main dealer Exeter and probably longer. Used to be Christows. Nearest at the moment is Weston-Super-Mare. 

[Bibs]

Wasn't Peninsular in Exeter? It's 10 years since they shut up shop, almost to the day!

 

[mayevora]

1 hour ago, Bibs said:

Wasn't Peninsular in Exeter? It's 10 years since they shut up shop, almost to the day!

 

Yes. They were the TVR/Lotus dealership about 5 miles outside Exeter. That garage is  now BMW/Mini specialist. (Teaching the owners son at the mo)

[exeterjeep]

I used christow carriage company - had a c service on my red excel there and a radiator replaced, when they closed i bought their signs etc it was also where steve - now sj- was trained. The owner had the scrap yard behind, he had previously owned a Porsche dealer - i think called   parcs - which is scrap backwards. (he told me that.. so it shows what he thought of their cars).

For a while there was also olympic lotus (based in the olympic mazda - now part of the currently extended Porsche dealer.

Went to Peninsular  - not very friendly - told me off for taking a pic of a 2007 ish europa.

Will have to accidentally drop in to hendy in the next few days/weeks.

15 minutes ago, mayevora said:

That garage is  now BMW/Mini specialist. (Teaching the owners son at the mo)

That should be useful have you still got your mini then..

[mayevora]

35 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

 

That should be useful have you still got your mini then..

I certainly have and we have a good mutually beneficial arrangement. 😁👍

[exeterjeep]

Hendy lotus exeter due to open in early 2021...

[Kimbers]

Hendy bought the Westover Group so inherited their sites. Unfortunately they are not as pleasant to deal with as Westover were. A large Corporate vs a Family owned is rarely better IMHO. 

[exeterjeep]

On 09/11/2020 at 10:12, Kimbers said:

A large Corporate vs a Family owned is rarely better IMHO. 

I agree with this, London Lotus went downhill when the 2 guys who set up the business, retired and sold it. Although I found Howards an exception, they had a soft spot for lotus.

Hendy Lotus Exeter are aiming to open early march, I have been in contact with them on Facebook after their announcement on F/B and also on their web site today. Will have to see how Handy get on in Exeter. Hopefully going to get a few parts from them.

 

[Bibs]

https://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/lotus-cars-news/hendy-group-expands-lotus-operations-in-the-south-and-south-west-uk/

 

[C8RKH]

You know, I know people's responses on here have been a bit marmite, but actually, that Olive Green does look really good, even against those fantastic red and yellow metallics.

[exeterjeep]

When Rybrook opened their 2 sites -  is this the first time a company had 2 lotus sites?

Since in the near future Hendy will be operating 3.

[Bibs]

There have been a few dealers with multiple Lotus sites over the years mate, usually corporates rather than small operators. 

[exeterjeep]

Can you remember which ones they were, I had been going through some of the old dealer lists from the 80's etc, plus all the ones I had some sort of dealings with/been to see etc

But it is encouraging that companies want to expand with Lotus as hopefully with the new 131 and may be some sort of SUV, the market share should improve.

[mayevora]

I’ll just happy to be driving past a Lotus dealership a dozen times a day 👍😁

[exeterjeep]

20 minutes ago, mayevora said:

I’ll just happy to be driving past a Lotus dealership a dozen times a day 👍😁

You will have to get the route for the lessons changed to go round the block a few laps  to go passed regularly, and your student can practice the roundabouts. Make a change from going round Exminister.

[mayevora]

2 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

You will have to get the route for the lessons changed to go round the block a few laps  to go passed regularly, and your student can practice the roundabouts. Make a change from going round Exminister.

I already drive past a dozen times a day as it’s a Driving Test route in all 3 directions off the mini roundabout. At least I’ll be able to change my instructions from “Follow the road ahead at the mini roundabout to Follow the road ahead at the Lotus Dealership” 

I’ll be expecting some Hendy Lotus discount for advertising obviously 😜

[exeterjeep]

1 minute ago, mayevora said:

I’ll be expecting some Hendy Lotus discount for advertising obviously

I reckon to get that you will have to be using your evora with hendy nameplates all over and a big hendy sign on top. I was hoping that they may have an opening day and encourage local owners to come along.

[mayevora]

[exeterjeep]

14 minutes ago, mayevora said:

Need a new photo to show the new wing and decals.

[mayevora]

20 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

I was hoping that they may have an opening day and encourage local owners to come along.

That would make perfect sense. Easy to organise (in non Covid times) and meet and greet the locals and the already converted.

[exeterjeep]

9 minutes ago, mayevora said:

That would make perfect sense. Easy to organise (in non Covid times) and meet and greet the locals and the already converted.

I am planning to go round and check on progress in the next few days, and when they are able to start ordering parts I have a few bits I may buy- but 2 are quite expensive.

[exeterjeep]

Hendy website now shows Exeter as a dealer, been in contact with them and have been told that..

Hi Keith, from next week you can reach out to the team. We have an Elise, Evora and Exige arriving on Monday!.

 

Will have to have an essential visit past them and also to check if they will have started selling parts.