Lotus in the post DB era

[simonb]

Every few years Lotus declare that they want 10,000 cars a year, and miss this by a mile. Far better not to fully reach demand IMHO, a wait list of over 12 months turns an expensive ticket price into a cheap "cost of ownership", as residuals are rock solid. Give customers what they want (a light weight efficient fun to drive car) but stay realistic

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

82 cars in the UK so far this year...any idea how many Exige S orders have been placed? That's got to be a healthier number surely?

[Bibs]

Better part of 500. As per another thread, the UK motor industry on the whole exports over 80% of production, UK figures are pretty irrelevant in the big scheme.

[rogerch]

I'm afraid the last 3 years of Lotus "Press Releases" have left me with an "I'll believe it when I see it" bias.

By the way what was the "Knock your socks off" revelation at Goodwood?

[Bibs]

DRB cancelled the 2 new Evora's that where meant to be there, we've discussed this already.

What are you going to believe when you see?

[Bibs]

I think I've got the wrong end of the stick with this video?

http://youtu.be/PmMmrv_onDE

[Gus82]

Interesting side note in Steve Cropley's weekly column in Autocar today:

TIME OUT WITH TOYOTA's BOSS

Saving the difficult questions until last...

We talk for 45 minutes (with Mr Toyoda) and at the end I impetuously try to interest Mr Toyoda in the situation at Lotus, where life was better in the '80s when Toyota had a stake. He affects not to know of Lotus's travails, but I'm sure he's up to speed. At last a comment is offered, "We will think" he says enigmatically.

[rogerch]

DRB cancelled the 2 new Evora's that where meant to be there, we've discussed this already.

What are you going to believe when you see?

My mistake, when some one says "new" I'm not expecting an update.

indecently if the 2nd line is a reference to my current sight restrictions it's in bad taste.

[Bibs]

WTF? It's your memory that's the issue!

I'm afraid the last 3 years of Lotus "Press Releases" have left me with an "I'll believe it when I see it" bias.

[DarrylV8]

Bibs

its them beer glasses found in a tin of Fosters;

Edited July 14, 2012 by DarrylV8

[V8 FOU]

82 cars in the UK so far this year...any idea how many Exige S orders have been placed? That's got to be a healthier number surely?

Perhaps this is a more realistic figure. Less cars being given away / out on long term test etc. Maybe they are selling off the returned long term test cars instead?

Usual thing as with most manufacturers, is it sales or shipments?

Maybe the 82 cars are now sales as opposed to shipments in the bahar era.....

[Exploded]

A very good article from Mike Lawrence a genuine (Team) Lotus fan.

http://www.pitpass.com/46803-Lotus

[Bibs]

Not very accurate though Gert.

[richardvg]

Agree totally ,Bibs

There is an irony in the journalistic documentation .....the love of knocking the brand ,right down to the Sir Jackie Stewart days .Mike is a motoring journalist and not a political analyst and therefore should not extend his wisdom over borders that angels fear to tread.

If ,hopefully not ,Lotus went pear shaped ,the same writers of bad tidings would use phrases such as "The end of a glorious era" and ensue a path of tearful sentiment whilst disregarding the fact that they were a fine tuned cog in the wheel of destruction.

If they wish to see the marque persevere ,they should write accordingly and give Mr Public what he deserves ....an honest opinion of the vehicle.

Perhaps this will bring out all the positive energy that all the good people at Hethel have been so desperate for all to see.

[Exploded]

What is not accurate Bibs?

I see no knocking down of the brand to be honest. Telling that Sir Stewart actually drove an F1 car for the first time in his life in a Lotus, is upgrading a brand actually. No?

[richardvg]

Sometimes the tone of a letter /report will manifest itself with a re read

[Exploded]

That's right Richard, but I have the feeling you read the article, while your glass was half empty and mine is still half full. In the end the result is the same. to me the article is very biased.

Lotus may recover from Bahar. I sincerely hope so.

I am very happy Bahar is gone, as he's the one who brought Lotus into this mess and loaded Lotus with debts and silly projects. I can only hope now the former Proton Malaysians/government are willing to come up with a solution, as they gave Bahar the loan for his fairy tale story. If that is not the case, things are looking very bad for Lotus imo.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Exploded

[TBD]

I would say the article is a pile of rubbish. Lawrence is just mixing different issues and juggling his facts (Proton did not sell Lotus to DRB, Proton was itself sold) to support his arguments that Lotus has no future.

Actually I would say things are actually brightening. DRB has put a strong emphasis on hrvesting the low-hangning fruits, production is back up to speed (which can only mean that suppliers have been paid), the Exige S is now in production and the Exprit development had been confirmed. And I wouldn't trust the newest rumours that the GTE has been scrapped, its definitively a low hanging, but surely profitable fruit.

Right now Lotus biggest challenge are al these vulturing journalists sitting in the trees around Hethel who are compromising every effort on behalf of the brand that "is close to my heart and has been for most of my life."

[richardvg]

That's right Richard, but I have the feeling you read the article, while your glass was half empty and mine is still half full. In the end the result is the same. to me the article is very biased.

Lotus may recover from Bahar. I sincerely hope so.

I am very happy Bahar is gone, as he's the one who brought Lotus into this mess and loaded Lotus with debts and silly projects. I can only hope now the former Proton Malaysians/government are willing to come up with a solution, as they gave Bahar the loan for his fairy tale story. If that is not the case, things are looking very bad for Lotus imo.

My comment has absolutely nothing to do with DB but rather the fact that Mike chooses to be a political journalist rather than a motoring one.

It is not my glass that is half empty and with all due respect it is Mike's by the way he painted the picture..

[Bibs]

Report on new plan for Lotus & another

[TBD]

At least someone has a plan It sounds like there will be a future, a "more realistic one"

Once its published we all have something new to rant about.

Edited July 16, 2012 by TBD

[Bibs]

I'm getting a press release later this morning I've been told. I'm not sure if it will have news of the plan but I called to confirm the news that Lotus' attendance at the Mondial De L'Automobile has been cancelled and was told to wait for the press release before I publish anything.

[Exploded]

Thomas you couldn't be more wrong about the GTE, I'm afraid.

Thnx Bibs for the links. In the light of these articles, which are not officially confirmed yet, one might consider the article a bit outdated, I agree. But until the links you gave us, are officially confirmed, the article is still accurate. Let's say Mike took them into account I'm sure quite a lot of people in here would say, his article is based on rumors, which are not yet confirmed...

[ramjet]

Thomas you couldn't be more wrong about the GTE, I'm afraid.

Huh?

[richardvg]

Truth be subjective , there were more people involved in the glorious cockup than DB .......and it was certainly not the working class in Hethel.

The way forward (not financially speaking ...we will leave that to someone else to cock up) is ;

GET ONE OF THE MODERN ERA CARS ON THE ROAD ....IF YOU DONT ,IT WILL DATE BY THE TIME IT IS LAUNCHED.

They need to really strike while the iron is hot.It would have to be the Elan or Esprit because the new Elise models have only just come out.

Bespoke build the Elan(10 of) so that factory personnel can drive around and trouble shoot.People (mr public ) will see them and the interest will bubble.

Protracting these cars is animated in our minds.