New Lotus built abroad

[redcafe]

http://tinyurl.com/ahr9p

I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing for Lotus.

[ErnestM]

Considering that the Bentley Conti GT is assembled in Brazil, I will maintain my wait and see attitude...


ErnestM

[M100]

ErnestM said:

Considering that the Bentley Conti GT is assembled in Brazil

Eh?

Did I read that right. Whats happening at Crewe then?

[ErnestM]

I don't know. In the US they have to put that information on the window sticker and I saw it and questioned the Bentley man that I know. "We just sell them" he responded, "the Germans handle the logistics now..."

ErnestM

[Michael ESP]

I dont know what to think. Its bad enough you have to tell people the Lotus has parts off a toyota, citreon, etc etc etc, but now to say, oh its made in __ insert other country but UK here..

Im mad.

I dont get it, if the US and the UK are seeing all this business being lost because of high prices, why not do something about in house, instead of seeing everyone leave?

[randlemarcus]

Michael ESP said:

I dont know what to think. Its bad enough you have to tell people the Lotus has parts off a toyota, citreon, etc etc etc, but now to say, oh its made in __ insert other country but UK here.. Im mad. I dont get it, if the US and the UK are seeing all this business being lost because of high prices, why not do something about in house, instead of seeing everyone leave?

What to do though. Perhaps the manufacturing equations work better with half-educated factory staff who are paid less than £6 per hour, plus NI, pensions etc
:assistant to advocate for Mr Beelzebub:

[peter450]

from a business perspective this makes a lot of sense while i'd like to see it in the uk an built here the reality of the economics of today mean this is a good decison for lotus, rover went bust because there factory an longbridge didnt make cars cheaply enough despite all the other problems thats the real bottom line one, lotus need to be competive an building the car in malaysia will mean more quality an higher margins as less money is going on paying the workers (harsh but an ugly fact of life) which means in theory you should get a better car but knowing lotus i'm sure the ride will be anything but smooth

[redcafe]

peter450 said:

building the car in malaysia will mean more quality

Have you had a close look at a Proton?

The build quality for a steel bodied car is appalling.

[peter450]

thats because there sold cheaply with low cust expectation hence low quality control, dont think for one miniute that protons bosses are not aware that there cars build quality is poor, but to sell at a price that the market will take, the've cut corners an used cheap materials, with the esprit the quality will most likely be quite good unless they make a hash of it but they could just as easily do that at hethal, there'l be less leeway for getting it wrong though a badly built car from hethal some will accept but a crap one from mayasia no way.
They gotta get it right, hopefully they'l get someone good in charge of production an everyone will be happy

[markuskj]

The ultimate test will be whether they are any good, if they are super reliable then they will be accessed by a much wider market. The East made their name taking cues from British and American margues in the 60s/70s and beating us at our own game because they did not leak, fall apart etc.

I am as proud of the UKs engineering history as any here but this is second to profit in a PLC - see Dysun etc