Does Lotus really want to sell cars?

[englishman in LA]

Ok, I'm going to whine like a spoilt child and I know it but...

Why in the hell does Lotus (and TVR for that matter) have to be so customer unfriendly?

I've had a deposit down for 5 months now, and I have not once been contacted by either Lotus or the dealer, despite gently prodding e mails and phone conversations. I understand that they themselves may not know their full plans, but would it kill them just to say "We are not confirmed at the moment however we expect to have some information in x months"?

Ok... whine over, back to sulking in the corner...

Steve

[GUY JOHNSON]

Sorry,and I bet you will not hear anything until aleast october. I under stand that the car has been delayed until the end of next year, instead of this year.

[englishman in LA]

I'm going to be in the UK for a couple of weeks soon. does anyone know a way I might get more accurate information on the situation while I'm over there?

Steve

[paulnederland]

My assumption is that there will be at least a full year in between the formal announcement and the actual delivery of the first car to the USA.
I believe Lotus should do everything to prevent customers from walking away. The M250 debacle is not forgotten. I would order an Elise for California now if there was NOT a history of project cancellations. The UliSA is still at risk.
Why don't you threaten to demand your deposit back? That will make them treat you nice (or not, and then you will know that the UliSA is not comming any time soon)....

>> Edited by paulnederland on Friday 2nd August 21:18

[englishman in LA]

Just whining really, in the vauge hope that someone at Lotus is paying attention and is working right now on getting a formal something together.

I'm fine with letting them keep 1k for 18months, its alot better there than in the market at the moment

I went into it with the date of September 2003 as the start of delivery, but the longer the silence on their part goes on, the more I think they won't meet that date...

Steve

[peteox]

I know we all want to know what is going on with the elise. This is the car I have been waiting for for years. I say let Lotus take it's time as long as they get it right. I would rather wait and get a faster better handling car , than get a car that will not turn over on the weekend.Who knows maybe they are just waiting to send out a MKIII for all nations?

[billb]

I ended up sending letters of complaint to the MD and heads of everything at lotus cos they so didnt care about delivering my elise. said at the time I'd never buy another Lotus ever. However, and as they dam well know, its peeeeeeeeeeerfect and I'd love another one. Just cos they have a dam fine product this should not be an excuse to treat customers like shite. It'll be worth the wait but a 2 year old could do better at customer relations - do they even read pistonheads....?!???

[Toffer]

Billb, I hope they can fix it quicker when it goes wrong!

[paulnederland]

It is perfectly OK for Lotus to take the time to make the product right. It shows dedication and understanding of the customer base. However, it shows lack of dedication and misunderstanding of the customer base if Lotus cannot get their planning right.

[Englishman in LA]

Ok... not getting any information out of my dealer and Lotus UK, I called Lotus USA (why didn't I think of this earlier)

The official line from them is that they had hoped for 'fall' of 03, but are now hoping for early 04. They are pushing Lotus UK and hope to have official news out in the next 30 to 60 days...

That makes me happier.

Steve