Lotus dealers going to the wall

[marshalla]

Heard on the grapevine that Peter Smith Sports Cars Ltd. has gone into liquidation.

30+ years of Lotus experience gone.

[Sam_68]

That's twice now, isn't it, or is my memory playing tricks with me?

I seem to recall that he went bust a few years ago and resurrected himself?

[marshalla]

Company changed name in 1985, so as far as I can see he's been trading as Peter Smith Sports Cars Ltd. since then.

[Hedgerley]

Quote from Guy Munday (Strattons) over on TLF:

"I spoke with David Bonsall, the Sales Manager, earlier today.

They've gone in to voluntary liquidation. Done in an orderly manner with everybody being looked after correctly. Peter and David will continue trading from Peter's home address.

Peter was a great character within the Lotus community and was missed at dealer meetings when they gave up the official franchise a couple of years ago. One of the longest established Lotus dealers too."

I hope this is not the thin end of the wedge.

[slimtater]

Sad news - they were just up the road from me and always welcomed me and my TVR, which they also did a wonderful paint job on.

[Redlake27]

Sad, but not surprised.I'm sorry for anyone who lost their job, but I've bought three Lotus in the last ten years from other dealers after being greeted with apathy on all three occasions by the Peter Smith sales team.

It took three visits to arrange a test drive. And once I couldn't pick my car up after a service as they's closed at 5pm on the dot...

Which is why I went to Paul Matty, Christopher Neil and Nick Whale instead.

Gavin Hussey, the Lotus Service expert there, apparently now trades in Burton as Unit 4 Servicing, so the expertise is still in the area.