Lotus in the post DB era

[Exploded]

Huh?

The GTE differs too much from the basic Evora, while you can build a few one offs by hand and paste the GTE extra's onto a basic Evora (as they did for the test car), it is impossible to do such a thing for a production model. You need new approval and create completely new moulds etc. Even if Lotus asks 180k for an Evora GTE and they could sell 300 cars, it wouldn't be profitable.

Richard, Bahar (and his team) came up with the clay models, and then it all still had to start, the development. Normally Lotus works 2 years on a model, then they show it to the public and 1(and a half) year later the model is ready to head for production. But with the new era cars, Bahar and his team, took the wrong approach. They showed it immediately and they took the extra difficulty to have a brand new engine and gearbox in place as well into that first model... you can't do this in 2 years impossible. Maybe manufacturers such Mercedes or BMW or Audi can, but for Lotus that is impossible. So Lotus will need at least approx 2 years if they want to bring the Esprit as it was presented in Paris... and of course funding for 2 years is needed...

Edited July 16, 2012 by Exploded

[richardvg]

I hear you but if they could take what they have already ....new Exige /Evora running gear ,this would function .It is about what progress is shown .The technology shown in the new Evora's (tweaked) can be used .It does not have to be a journalist test car but more a factory announcement that here we are .As with many models ,they morph into production phase.

I really do not think that the Evora and Exige are going to give them two years without extreme losses ....no disrespect

[ramjet]

The GTE differs too much from the basic Evora, ........

How?

[Exploded]

What they could do imho, and is affordable, is create a face lift from the Evora which looks like the Elan... That is not too extreme difficult to do. But funding will be crucial.

They have the Evora (S), Exige S, Exige Roadster and the Elise SC. That is not too bad...

Michael there are too many parts different to the original Evora. Not only on the outside but also on the inside. To have a production model, you simply can not hand created these parts as they are too expensive. The existing GTE is not a 150 or 180k car but a 400 or 500k car, as everything not standard is hand made.

Now to make different moulds and models, that cost sooo much money, just too much to make the GTE profitable.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Exploded

[richardvg]

Good ,now we have a solution ...al they have to do is build us 10 bespoked cars and run around with them ..... at least i have assisted in resolving one problem today

[TBD]

Actualy the exterior parts for the GTE have been available for quite some time - their basically all derived from the Mansory. The interior changes are not that big, use carbon where you had plastic, which is not a big difference, you can even use the same molds. Even the engine is the same, just tuned, as is the transmission. In fact, the GTE is about as different to the Evora as an Audi RS-model is to the normal model.

They've got 250 orders for this car, to a large extent in the worlds fastest growing market (China) and its been in certification for quite some time (and should be finishing shortly). Wasn't production scheduled to start in September?

Axing the GTE would not make much sense, but then that is true of quite a few decisions DRB has taken.

[Exploded]

Thomas there are 0 orders for GTE's in China, that was completely untrue.

[Bibs]

There were more than 125, the balance had been paid unless Lotus are directly lying through their teeth.

[richardvg]

smoke and mirrors...........

[Bibs]

Smoke and mirrors is a metaphor for a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description.

So you think Lotus were lying? They even said the balance for the cars was settled in cash, in a bank in the USA. That's a lot of details for a lie which they'd have to come good on at some point?

[Exploded]

Bibs did Lotus say this or Bahar?

[Bibs]

A Regional Sales Manager who was involved in the deal.

[Exploded]

Well he should know... no? I'm told that deal was completely untrue Bibs. But I have no evidence what so ever, so I can't argue with you on that. Let's hope I'm proven wrong (again).

Anyway I'm not going to let my beard grow, until the GTE production model actually comes out, as I don't want to look like a ZZ top band member... for the rest of my life

Edited July 16, 2012 by Exploded

[Bibs]

http://jalopnik.com/5926411/the-real-reason-lotus-fired-ceo-dany-bahar-isnt-the-one-they-gave

I've posted a reply on Jalopnik just straightening a few facts that I'm aware of right now.

Lotus, Proton, nor DRB-Hicom haven't been sued (yet) by Bahar although a Swiss website did report he was talking to lawyers, about what we don't know. He stood in front of all the staff before he was sacked and said that the house renovations were paid for from his salary packet. Also, all helicopter travel was correctly billed and accounted for. Those are facts from Hethel as we understand them, currently.

[TLF News]

Lotus cancel Paris show as company re-focus: http://www.4lot.us/4vyx

[chandrew]

Not that bad news in the grand scheme of things. I've said before, it's my opinion that if Lotus are going to do these things then they need to execute well, and my experience at Geneva (plus all the web stuff etc.) is that marketing execution has been lacking for some time). Doing it badly (or not well) is worse than not doing it at all.

Would I rather them spend the money getting great cars out, improving the dealer network (training etc) etc? YES

There also needs to be a culture of getting it right first time. We've seen it moving in that direction but for all new cars they need to be ruthless.

[TLF News]

New Lotus boss Aslam Farikullah (dark suit, red tie) joins production staff with the first production Exige S about to begin it's journey along the line at Hethel.

[hedgerley]

New Lotus boss Aslam Farikullah (dark suit, red tie) joins production staff with the first production Exige S about to begin it's journey along the line at Hethel.

Excellent, some good news at last.

Perhaps an appropriate time to post another extremely positive review of the Exige S (although I think its a reprint from somewhere else....) -

http://www.botb.com/...tus-exige-v6-s/

Edited July 17, 2012 by hedgerley

[Gazm]

I hope that photo doesn't make the press... they all look so pensive! It should have been a celebratory photo... there is one guy at the back smiling.... maybe he was just passing by....

[richardvg]

Excellent, some good news at last.

Perhaps an appropriate time to post another extremely positive review of the Exige S (although I think its a reprint from somewhere else....) -

http://www.botb.com/...tus-exige-v6-s/

What an awesome read !!! there is light at the end of the tunnel..........

So you think Lotus were lying? They even said the balance for the cars was settled in cash, in a bank in the USA. That's a lot of details for a lie which they'd have to come good on at some point?

So,anymore news on the GTE 's ......i would have thought if they were to get going again with the Exige S ,,,this would also become a priority(get some kwatchas into the bank)

[richardvg]

I hope that photo doesn't make the press... they all look so pensive! It should have been a celebratory photo... there is one guy at the back smiling.... maybe he was just passing by....

You think they (Lotus) have continued renting the house from the lucky landlord who had it reworked by Lotus ?

Maybe the new guy gets it .....

I heard that when you frequent fly ,the helicopter company give you credits (fly 10 times ,get one free) Maybe Aslam could get a free flight to the Grand Prix ..LOL

[Iconic Ride]

A company official when contacted said:

“Group Lotus has some of the most technically gifted and talented staff anywhere in the automotive industry and the company is determined that they will be given the opportunity to flourish.”

“Our parent company DRB-HICOM have invested new funds

and it is my job to make sure that investment is used in a way that can drive the company forward.

We are working on a number of new developments which require funding and that must be my priority. This company will only have a bright future if the innovation culture is encouraged,” he added.

Was this, or was it not, Aslam F. that made these remarks, Bibs? Seems like a reasonably strong commitment to preserving the marque. AF may not have quite the charismatic flair for stagecraft that DB had, but he certainly comes across as a "results oriented" kind of guy. Might just be the sort of chap we need at the helm at this juncture.

[richardvg]

New Broom ................

I wish him all the best ...as said in Arabic ....Slamat for the new Job

I hope Lotus will succeed and the way Aslam is talking ,it seems like he appreciates the working force in Hethel.

I think that to a larger degree ,with respect ,DB laid down some very good concepts ....A hole with some corners and Aslam needs to round off the arcs nicely.

I worked with a character that reminded me of DB ....When he visited you ,it was as if the whole world around you would fall into place.The minute he left though ,that was the end of that and all the promises did not even bear the first cup of water for the seed to grow ......LOL live and learn

Once again Aslam .....Good luck and bring us an Elan soon soon !

[tcs_ahp@yahoo.com]

So you think Lotus were lying? They even said the balance for the cars was settled in cash, in a bank in the USA. That's a lot of details for a lie which they'd have to come good on at some point?

They also told you they sold a bunch of T125s. Where did those go?

I've worked for people like this. Somebody saying "Yeah, interesting" gets tallied as a sale. It's optimism taken to the point of delusion.

[V8 FOU]

As I have said many times, it is sales not shipments that count. How many cars are out on loan / test that are counted as sales? and what good do those cars do?

If the T125s have left the factory, were they sales?

A few years ago Harley Davidson were sued in a class action by shareholders for saying that the figures were 300000 + - but it turned out that this was shipments / loans etc and the true figure was nearer 250000. The share price plummeted. Unhappy shareholders... etc etc

Hopefully in this new era for Lotus, where we will hopefully see more honesty and truth, things can only improve.

It certainly looks good after these various announcements this week.