PJS Lotus announcement - today 27/08

[Barrykearley]

It’s interesting to see lotus are now holding deposits rather than dealers.

[eclat22]

If Lotus are holding the deposits, will that mean you will have a contract with Lotus themselves rather than the dealer and therefore direct liability for any issues etc. 

[exeterjeep]

On 28/08/2021 at 07:11, Barrykearley said:

Lotus did dump a huge quantity of old stock on them a couple of years ago.

SWLC recently bought a load of carbon and other stuff from the factory for evora/exige/elise. Even some parts that lotus themselves had made but never offered on the cars.

[Barrykearley]

13 minutes ago, eclat22 said:

If Lotus are holding the deposits, will that mean you will have a contract with Lotus themselves rather than the dealer and therefore direct liability for any issues etc. 

Just the fact that dealer deposits were returned and deposits placed with lotus directly kinda informs what the plan is with the dealers. Sad to say but I don’t think they will be factoring in the way many think.

[exeterjeep]

Just checked the lotus cars dealer map, now shows Williams near Bristol as a service centre only (was until recently a full dealer) and the same for Hoffmans at Henley - thought they had taken Emira deposits at an earlier stage.

[Barrykearley]

My thoughts of existing geely distribution channels such as volvo dealers may well come true

[exeterjeep]

Become more like the future of lotus thread. ...I can see that in the next couple of years things will become clearer, by that time emira should be on the streets and the SUV(s) not far off. Still concerned about lotus looking after their older/existing customer base. Owners need lotus specialists as some new dealers will have no/little knowledge of anything over a few years old.

[jep]

I was told by a Lotus main dealer about 2 months ago that they take a flat fee for Emira to deal with orders - from initial sales enquiry through to hand-over to customer. 

As we know, one of the barriers to entry for potential new Lotus owners in the past has been the dealer network/support/visibility/finance etc.... Geely have to address this and I would think Barry is on to something with regard the existing Geely network.

I seem to recall Dany B (2011/12?) approached all Lotus franchised dealers and told them to invest lots of dosh to fit-out showrooms to a template. Jaguar did this some years ago and long-established dealers (EG. RA Creamer in Kensington - now Quinn-Lyons Ltd and owned by William Lyons grandson) could not/would not oblige and lost the franchise.

I hope Lotus Group will give all existing franchises the option to participate. It is never pleasant to see a great main dealer lose their factory connection but it is a fact of life in this industry.  Lotus Group have to provide what the market requires, otherwise no matter how good the product the new era cannot succeed.

Furthermore, clearly Lotus feel the 'Authorised' route is not sufficient for where they want to place their product - even though in the short-term it reduces the number of agents.

Justin

 

[Mark030358]

Let’s just call them Geely from now on and drop the Lotus bit…

…. and just wait till you are going to the Trafford Centre to look at your new Geely sports car….
 

No thanks.

 

[ramjet]

@Mark030358 Am I understanding you correctly and you think (know?) that Geely intends to swallow up Lotus and do away with the brandname?

[Mark030358]

It was a throwaway comment, I was being sarcastic, but seems to me it’s not going to be the Lotus I grew up knowing.

cheers

[jep]

I agree. It is not going to be the Lotus we all love. I don't think Lotus can survive making cars as they have in the past - frankly, I am amazed Lotus Cars Ltd survived through the 90s and beyond. My word, am I delighted they did but I think the end was near once Evora failed (to sell - it did not fail dynamically). 

I view the forward-fortunes of Lotus through the prism of the past; I don't think Lotus had a future making the cars they did, so I am happy that the marque can continue, in whatever form that may be. The old cars will still be there for us to enjoy. In much the same way, I follow the fortunes of Jaguar. I own two old 'uns (40 plus years old cars) and I have no interest in any of the gear they currently make but I am pleased they have survived (albeit a bumpy ride).

In a purely economic context, in broad terms, classic cars from marques still around and highly regarded are worth more than others. Not always but often. So even if Lotus make cars we don't like going-forward, it should attract buyers to the old ones. That in turn will help parts and servicing needs.

Justin

 

[Barrykearley]

Frankly what may well occur has been long since overdue. I’m stunned they canned the current line up and essentially became a zero production car company until the new cars commence delivery. 
 

The investment and recruitment in the uk is hugely encouraging and I think there’s a whole lot more yet to come. Exciting times for Lotus.

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, jep said:

I agree. It is not going to be the Lotus we all love. I don't think Lotus can survive making cars as they have in the past

I agree something needed to change at lotus on the manufacturing side. Absolutely. However, the reason WHY Lotus survived was in a large part down to the enthusiasm of its owners. It does feel to me like Lotus are sticking two fingers up at their loyal customers who have stuck with them through the good, and the bad times, and I think that is what is grating with some.

I myself am loosing a bit of love for the brand. Have to admit, have spent as much time on the Porsche Configurator as I have on the Emira one, and a lot of time looking at McLaren cars!  I was excited to see the Emira. Think it is a great looking car and I know it will go as well as it looks.  But at the moment, well, I still love my Evora and the interior tech and extra cup holders are all a bit meh to me so until we see the final pricing, specs, and performance I'm really in no hurry to put down a deposit on an Emira.  Maybe I'm just weird...

[exeterjeep]

Agree, Emira does not do it for me at the mo, would not consider a Porsche (not many made in the UK... ) But if a McLaren dealer arrived in Exeter then I would consider if it would get up my driveway and if the doors will open in my garage (not got too much height.)  

[C8RKH]

I'm actually looking at older Lotus cars more too. Just seems that for the cost of change for my Evora for an Emira I could get a nice Esprit, an M100, or even a V6 Exige...

Given how the Emira is being positioned, I can see Lotus easily replacing the "old" owners with new owners to the brand with the Emira, so maybe that's the point - no need for the old customers and the old cars and the old dealers as this really is a new broom and everything "old" is just being swept away.....  Quite sad really if that is the case but it is how it feels.

[exeterjeep]

I  would consider adding a M100 or 2 as I would be able to use an M100 when I get too weak and feeble to get out of my Evora.

[Barrykearley]

Seriously @C8RKH buy an older car. The Evora is sublime - but simply isn’t as raw as an esprit. 

[EuropaSman]

I've ditched the idea of getting an Emira for now for similar reasons to what @C8RKH was saying. Instead I'm buying an early Elise S3 to do track days, with my Evora Launch Edition staying in my possession as she's a keeper.

[USAndretti42]

It would be a surprise to me if Lotus were to ditch support for the Esprit.  It still is a halo car for the company and a huge part of their image.

[jep]

If you like Evora, any earlier Lotus will delight you from a driving perspective. It comes down to whether you are prepared for the uncertainty of owning an older car - anything can happen but usually doesn't if you prepare a few basics. 

Evora NA plus Elise is perfection in my eyes. Or Esprit plus Elise. An Elise is essential as I consider it a Lotus for all eras, it really does hark back to Elan and Seven. S1 was perfection from the off.

Back nearly on-topic with regard parts - be careful what you wish for. If Lotus set up a sophisticated parts supply system for the heritage models, prices may rise significantly. Porsche have basically disabled the pattern parts market for the old cars. An original spec starter motor for a 928 is £800 - it used to be available from the maker for a few hundred £ if not less. Steering racks were £600, now £2k. 

Justin

 

[C8RKH]

10 hours ago, jep said:

Evora NA plus Elise is perfection in my eyes

Evora 410 Sport and supercharged VX220 does it for me. A nice Esprit GT3 and possibly a Westfield 11 replica and job done. Though I have always liked the styling of the Elan+2.

[jep]

Fair enough....I am just staggered and surprised every time I drive Elise S1. I am not sure there has been a better sports car made.

Justin

 

 

[mg4lotus]

@C8RKHA gentleman brought his Lotus 11 to show at this years Lotus in the Peaks. It attracted a lot of attention. A Lotus Elan S2 won best car award.

[mg4lotus]

PJS are also sponsors of Lotus in the Peaks and had a stand there. Strong ties with Lotus owners.