Lotus in 2014

[Kimbers]

Well said Thomas. Absolutely!

 

With the debt left by the last Team any company would struggle.

 

In terms of parts availability Bibs is right. Lotus do well in terms of availability! There are some "Mass market" manufacturers who stop parts supply 5 years after the car is made. With others it's 10 years. It is really down to new vehicle supply and parts supply for those new models. If they have limited production and need parts for other models they won't think twice about dumping off the old model's part supply.

[Jacques]

I suppose that pride in seeing ones own few cars ever assembled,driving doesn't Count?

 

Kind regards,

Jacques.

[Gazm]

Lotus may have a good record for providing parts for the out-of-production classics but I have been waiting for 6 months for a replacement headlight unit for my Evora. There are none available!

 

Even had a response from the head of customer services basically saying sorry but with no explanation of why they have no spares nor when they expect to get any.  I suspect they cant afford to pay for another batch from the supplier and the headlight units have not been as durable as planned.

My car just needs 2 LED bulbs replacing but that requires a complete replacement headlight unit.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

It's a shameful situation... 

 

What I don't understand is how are they managing to make new cars? 

[Bibs]

Production and ASO negotiate their own parts supplies on the whole I believe.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

Well they're doing a   job if that's the case!

[Gazm]

So it seems I need to buy a replacement headlight for £55,000 that comes with a free Evora....

[Bibs]

My car just needs 2 LED bulbs replacing but that requires a complete replacement headlight unit.

 

Does it? Can you not take to it someone with a soldering iron for a repair? While not ideal I agree, it would solve your problem. 

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Well if the supply of original style headlamps has dried up, maybe Lotus will be forced to bring out a face-lift Evora with a new design of headlamps from another poor mug, sorry, supplier. Either that or see if there's a market out there for a special kind of supercar which you can only drive in the daylight.

[Bibs]

Watch this space...

Does it? Can you not take to it someone with a soldering iron for a repair? While not ideal I agree, it would solve your problem. 

 

Cancel that unless you're willing to do it at your own risk. I understand they're unservicable sealed units.

[4exige]

hi

I've heard that it waits a secret investor to get the chance to take over Lotus.
But maybe that's just a rumor. Is that true? you also hear that?

[Kimbers]

I've had in the back of my mind a sneaking suspicion that someone from the Middle East or a rich investor will buy into Lotus. I don't know why and it's not based on any true information etc. It's just a gut feeling. I think someone like that would be awesome for Lotus. Not another Car Company looking for an addition to their market but a true car enthusiast with money to invest.

[The Pits]

I'd be happy to see Toyota take over.

 

Some stability for Lotus (at last) plus it seems like a good fit in Toyota's model line-up. They have some serious sports car aspirations which Lotus could help enormously with (if they haven't been doing so already?).

 

A Lotus GT86 anyone?

 

The dream is also to see that Lexus LF-A V10 in an Esprit. Now that I would simply have to consider. 

[ramjet]

Didn't Toyota own Lotus in the past? Would they have another go at it if they have "been there, done that" before?

[Bibs]

No.

 

DRB are getting the ship in order, there's no denying that. It does look like their main goal is to make the company worth more than £1 and a pile of debt. They don't appear to be investing in a long term goal, just short term better quality of product and accounts.

[4exige]

Toyota would be great i think. Toyota has enougth money and the qualitiy of there car are amazing. The Important think is that Lotus could be Lotus in the future

[hedgerley]

I'd stick my neck out and suggest DRB are in for the long haul. They continue to invest heavily, directly and through acquisition in the automotive sector, most recently in a composites manufacturer to complement Lotus Lightweight Structures to accelerate weight reduction programmes in their auto companies.  This of course opens up more opportunities for Lotus Engineering.

 

And of course there are the new dealerships popping up in emerging markets. I think this demonstrates confidence that Lotus has turned the corner, financial and quality/production issues have been largely fixed and DRB feel the time is right to start promoting the brand.

 

But as I've said before, I am an eternal optimist...

[SJK]

So is it unlikely we will hear anything about the new Elise in 2014?

[Bibs]

New Elise? There isn't one as far as I'm aware. 

 

Hi btw

[SJK]

 

I thought we were still due a revised Elise in 2015, or has that been canned too?

[Bibs]

One of the Paris cars?

 

 

They've all been binned unfortunately.

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Has the BBC News website used a photo of a Lotus worker and V6 to illustrate the UK's booming economy in 2014 (according to the IMF at least)?

 

I'd post up the link, but I never seem to manage that on TLF.

[Bibs]

Doesn't look like Hethel to me...

 

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

OK probably JLR then.

[Bibs]

A quick Google says that you're right with JLR.

 

PS - http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=help&do=01&HID=7