Discussion
As a new Alpine owner living in France it was with mixed feelings that I read the car sales figures for the first 3 months of the year, showing that Alpine sold more cars in France than all Porsche models put together. Whilst I obviously want the car to be a success, in buying such a low volume car I hoped I was buying something more exclusive than a Cayman. Nevertheless, It is staggering to think of all the big plush Porsche dealers, one in every large town in France, being outsold by a handful of sparsely staffed Alpine dealers round the country.
More staggering however was to look at the SMMT figures for the UK. In the same 3 month period, Alpine sold 43 cars in the UK, against only 33 for Lotus. I guess winter in the UK is not peak season for selling sports cars, nevertheless if I were head of sales at Hethel, I would be worried.
Of course it is early days for Alpine, and this may simply be a surge in sales following the near hysteria of the reception the car has received. On the other hand in the UK the brand is as yet relatively unknown, and if quality and reliability prove to be up to scratch, I can't see why UK sales won't accelerate. This is certainly a more usable car than an Elise or Exige, happily carrying a week's worth of holiday clothing or a trolleyfull of groceries in its 200l combined luggage lockers. Be afraid Lotus. Be very afraid.
More staggering however was to look at the SMMT figures for the UK. In the same 3 month period, Alpine sold 43 cars in the UK, against only 33 for Lotus. I guess winter in the UK is not peak season for selling sports cars, nevertheless if I were head of sales at Hethel, I would be worried.
Of course it is early days for Alpine, and this may simply be a surge in sales following the near hysteria of the reception the car has received. On the other hand in the UK the brand is as yet relatively unknown, and if quality and reliability prove to be up to scratch, I can't see why UK sales won't accelerate. This is certainly a more usable car than an Elise or Exige, happily carrying a week's worth of holiday clothing or a trolleyfull of groceries in its 200l combined luggage lockers. Be afraid Lotus. Be very afraid.
I love the car but I wouldn’t compare the buying experience in the UK with France.
A lot of dealers in the UK have done very little to market Alpine as a brand as they have just parked the dacia and renaults a few feet either side and squeezed a couple of Alpines in between. Job done.
I was always a fan of Alpine so put my deposit down when it was shown at Geneva. Despite the car being brilliant I think the numbers will stay low in the UK. Some of the dealerships are only partly staffed as there aren’t the volume of cars being sold to justify it I understand.
I took my car in for the recall and thought I’d grab some touch up paint and a storage bag- alas none of this is kept in stock...for a car originally sold in three colours I thought this was poor.
The car remains superb
A lot of dealers in the UK have done very little to market Alpine as a brand as they have just parked the dacia and renaults a few feet either side and squeezed a couple of Alpines in between. Job done.
I was always a fan of Alpine so put my deposit down when it was shown at Geneva. Despite the car being brilliant I think the numbers will stay low in the UK. Some of the dealerships are only partly staffed as there aren’t the volume of cars being sold to justify it I understand.
I took my car in for the recall and thought I’d grab some touch up paint and a storage bag- alas none of this is kept in stock...for a car originally sold in three colours I thought this was poor.
The car remains superb
To be fair, all they did in Marseille was move the Dacias a few feet one way and the Renaults a few feet the other, but they did stretch to a stud wall either side to keep the riff-raff out. The 2 sales staff are pretty heavily worked, and at the mo, they are delivering 10 cars per week. There is also a lot of marketing over here outwith the dealers, with track days and events to plug the brand.
I am only 500km in, so still under the 3500 rpm, but loving the car.
I am only 500km in, so still under the 3500 rpm, but loving the car.
rick.e said:
As a new Alpine owner living in France it was with mixed feelings that I read the car sales figures for the first 3 months of the year, showing that Alpine sold more cars in France than all Porsche models put together. Whilst I obviously want the car to be a success, in buying such a low volume car I hoped I was buying something more exclusive than a Cayman. Nevertheless, It is staggering to think of all the big plush Porsche dealers, one in every large town in France, being outsold by a handful of sparsely staffed Alpine dealers round the country.
More staggering however was to look at the SMMT figures for the UK. In the same 3 month period, Alpine sold 43 cars in the UK, against only 33 for Lotus. I guess winter in the UK is not peak season for selling sports cars, nevertheless if I were head of sales at Hethel, I would be worried.
Of course it is early days for Alpine, and this may simply be a surge in sales following the near hysteria of the reception the car has received. On the other hand in the UK the brand is as yet relatively unknown, and if quality and reliability prove to be up to scratch, I can't see why UK sales won't accelerate. This is certainly a more usable car than an Elise or Exige, happily carrying a week's worth of holiday clothing or a trolleyfull of groceries in its 200l combined luggage lockers. Be afraid Lotus. Be very afraid.
Not sure that Lotus have to be afraid, out of their line up they have plenty of cars that don't compete with the Alpine. I had a build slot for a premier edition Alpine, but decided to stick with the Evora, if I was in the market for an Elise, I would consider the Alpine but not if I was looking at Exige or Evora.More staggering however was to look at the SMMT figures for the UK. In the same 3 month period, Alpine sold 43 cars in the UK, against only 33 for Lotus. I guess winter in the UK is not peak season for selling sports cars, nevertheless if I were head of sales at Hethel, I would be worried.
Of course it is early days for Alpine, and this may simply be a surge in sales following the near hysteria of the reception the car has received. On the other hand in the UK the brand is as yet relatively unknown, and if quality and reliability prove to be up to scratch, I can't see why UK sales won't accelerate. This is certainly a more usable car than an Elise or Exige, happily carrying a week's worth of holiday clothing or a trolleyfull of groceries in its 200l combined luggage lockers. Be afraid Lotus. Be very afraid.
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