Lotus dealer restructuring

Lotus dealer restructuring

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

61 months

Friday 27th August 2021
quotequote all
Wonder how this impacts Emira allocations if at all?

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news-r...

R33FAL

575 posts

175 months

Saturday 28th August 2021
quotequote all
Shouldnt affect them at all.

When i spoke to them at goodwood FOS, they were pretty much already saying the new distribution model they are adopting will be cutting out the dealers. Your order will be placed direct with Lotus and dealers will only be there for servicing requirements.


BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Sunday 29th August 2021
quotequote all
R33FAL said:
Shouldnt affect them at all.

When i spoke to them at goodwood FOS, they were pretty much already saying the new distribution model they are adopting will be cutting out the dealers. Your order will be placed direct with Lotus and dealers will only be there for servicing requirements.
These must be the mythical cars that sell themselves then? I'm not sure many car brands don't have sales people?

R33FAL

575 posts

175 months

Sunday 29th August 2021
quotequote all
BertBert said:
These must be the mythical cars that sell themselves then? I'm not sure many car brands don't have sales people?
Know many Tesla sales people?

All the car companies are moving to a direct to consumer sales model (albeit at different paces). They have realised they can just collect dealer margins by selling using the internet rather than paying a middleman for no reason (especially in the franchise modes).

CTE

1,496 posts

247 months

Monday 30th August 2021
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Where do you test drive and play with a car if there are no physical dealers?

BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Tuesday 31st August 2021
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R33FAL said:
Know many Tesla sales people?
Good point well made, but lotus are about as far away from Tesla as you can get as a car manufacturer!

CTE

1,496 posts

247 months

Wednesday 1st September 2021
quotequote all
Not if you`ve read the latest sales blurb...massive new electric vehicle factory in Wuhan province opening up in the not so distant future along with a large EV range only...good bye Lotus!! Think the factory is bigger than Norfolk!

BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Thursday 2nd September 2021
quotequote all
CTE said:
Not if you`ve read the latest sales blurb...massive new electric vehicle factory in Wuhan province opening up in the not so distant future along with a large EV range only...good bye Lotus!! Think the factory is bigger than Norfolk!
I guess I wasn't really thinking of capacity to build electric cars, but more the ability to create mass desirability in a market which Tesla are very good at. Also they've been at it a very long time!

nudgerwilliams

247 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd September 2021
quotequote all
CTE said:
Where do you test drive and play with a car if there are no physical dealers?
Story says there will still be traditional sales outlets:

"Lotus is seeking to raise the profile of its retail operation, partnering with national dealer groups including Hendy and FG Barnes to sell its sports cars alongside more mainstream products in more central and highly visible locations."

There is a thread on SELOC discussing this - including a post from the Hanger 111 people who are one of the dealers who decided not to sign up to what Lotus were asking for.

Hopefully where this ends up is a good dealer network you can buy new cars and approved used from, and a thriving, respected indy sector for looking after the older cars. Like Porsche basically.

BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Thursday 2nd September 2021
quotequote all
nudgerwilliams said:
Hopefully where this ends up is a good dealer network you can buy new cars and approved used from, and a thriving, respected indy sector for looking after the older cars. Like Porsche basically.
Although there are not really enough older Lotuses around to support many Indies

Tlandcruiser

2,811 posts

205 months

Friday 3rd September 2021
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It seems production is moving to China, with the U.K. headquarters to be used for support and production of future sports cars. I assume the future EV sports car will be made in the U.K while the SUV and saloon will be made in China. I guess maintaining a U.K. base is part of the brand marketing.

BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Friday 3rd September 2021
quotequote all
Tlandcruiser said:
It seems production is moving to China, with the U.K. headquarters to be used for support and production of future sports cars. I assume the future EV sports car will be made in the U.K while the SUV and saloon will be made in China. I guess maintaining a U.K. base is part of the brand marketing.
Does that include the Emira being made in China?

Tlandcruiser

2,811 posts

205 months

Friday 3rd September 2021
quotequote all
The Emira and evija will be built in the U.K.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/lotus-...


BertBert

19,702 posts

218 months

Saturday 4th September 2021
quotequote all
Thanks. Also if I've read that right the shortest wheelbase of the new electric cars is 32cm longer than the Emira's. They are sure getting bigger!