Lotus announce 325 potential redundancies in restructure

[jonwat 422]

I got paid quite a few grand over the years from being made redundant & was always able to walk straight into another job but the initial feeling when told is that the arse has fallen out of your world so I feel for those affected & wish them all the best. 

[The Pits 4,408]

With JLR and others booming hopefully those who lost their jobs will be snapped up before long.

 

I hope that morale isn't too damaged for those still at Lotus, if they can get the quality improved and the weight down the next wave of cars will sell strongly, starting next year. Hopefully it won't be too long before they'll need to be hiring again.

[Arregueti 206]

Does anyone know what the actual "loss" has been and in which areas? The autocar's interview with JMG stated that this was already completed.

 

And yes, hopefully they will be hiring again soon.

[TBD 781]

Does anyone know what the actual "loss" has been and in which areas? The autocar's interview with JMG stated that this was already completed.

 

And yes, hopefully they will be hiring again soon.

Yes, this would be good to know. 

 

I would hope that Lotus didn't make many cuts on the assembly line work force. For one thing, the plan calls for growth and the numbers are already nearing all time recors levels and sencondly, the last Lotus needs is a demotivated workforce putting these handbuilt cars together.

[Someone_Else 0]

Sure is! He's what people are referring to when the say 'Lotus DNA', Matt and his team are hugely important to the company.

On 17th November the Lotus management saw fit to dismiss, amongst many others in key roles, over 60% of its experienced Vehicle Dynamics engineers leaving the business with only a very limited capability. In addition to this, Matt Becker has resigned... this will no doubt impact the future DNA of Lotus products. Remember, someone's loss is someone else's gain.

So much talent was unceremoniously dismissed from Lotus with such short sightedness. The future plans reflect this lack of vision, and are now beyond reach due to the lack of resource and expertise remaining within the business. It has been a grim turning point for the brand, which despite its strong heritage and amazing products, is set for very uncertain times. This appears to go against the current trend within the industry with competitors thriving and expanding in all areas. It has never been in such bad state and will be lucky to survive much to everyone's loss. I sincerely hope this is not the case for the employees left there and their livelihoods.

[Bibs 11,138]

I heard that Matt has resigned, certainly a massive blow to the company and lots of very, very good people gone.

It's very sad

[BillTheButcher 37]

As someone who has a new Exige S on order, this is making me very nervous about what lies ahead for Lotus, especially in terms of future support for the car that I'm about to buy.

 

As much as I love the car I'm wondering whether I should be asking for the deposit back and looking to a manufacturer with a more certain future. 

Edited November 19, 2014 by BillTheButcher

[Colins brother 0]

Unfortunately it has been evident for some time that the current management are not capable of running a bath let alone a car company. 

 

The current staff are so demotivated it is impossible to see how the company can continue. Every one that I speak to (and that's a lot) does not want to be there and says that it is a horrible atmosphere to try and work in. There is absolutely no respect for the current senior management.

 

When I look back at what those staff have achieved in the past this is nothing short of criminal.  

 

Well done DRB-HICOM you have killed an iconic brand. Unless Lotus is sold quickly it has no future. 

 

 

[Mark Blanchard 1,642]

Being made redundant is truly horrible, especially when you have put your life and soul into a company.  For long time employees it's like a divorce.  Time is the best way to deal with it, but the first few months are very demoralising.  For those staff that have left I hope they can find gainful employment quickly and try and move on.

 

As for Lotus it's more bad news.

[internets 472]

On 17th November the Lotus management saw fit to dismiss, amongst many others in key roles, over 60% of its experienced Vehicle Dynamics engineers leaving the business with only a very limited capability. In addition to this, Matt Becker has resigned... this will no doubt impact the future DNA of Lotus products. Remember, someone's loss is someone else's gain.

 

 Very sad news. It sounding more and more like a sell off then, cut back to the bone, up short term sales and make the books look good for a potential buyer. But in reality they have sold the family silver and any new buyer/management would find it was all smoke and mirrors. Seems to be the way of the world currently

 

I have heard dealers have been buying lots of stock recently, maybe a Lotus management directive and or just the Exige V6 getting the credit it deserves, and dealers have had various letters recently on cost cutting which have not gone down well. I understand any new CEO would want to structure things and cut costs in his way but seriously for Matt Becker to have resigned, I guess maybe partly as a lot of his staff were being made redundant, things must be bad. I feel for all involved being made redundant, wondering where this months mortgage payment is coming from.

 

Maybe Matt leaving will be a warning shot to the current board, as I guess they did not expect that, but maybe to late already ... it seems to be out of the fire and into the frying pan for Lotus as always! 

[TBD 781]

C'mon, we all agreed here a few weeks ago that righsizing the company was as essential for Lotus as getting more engaged dealers. So let's not burry Lotus just because they are execting the plan.

 

Mat's departure will be a blow to the company and that is very regretfull. On the other hand, with his reputation I'm sure he was able to doulbe his income, so what could Lotus have done to hold him?

[TonyKL 123]

As someone who has a new Exige S on order, this is making me very nervous about what lies ahead for Lotus, especially in terms of future support for the car that I'm about to buy.

 

I understand your concern as I am currently debating chopping my Sprint in for a V6.

The way I look at it is that if Lotus do fold (i really hope not) then I will have one of the last/best cars they have produced.

 

There are also plenty of good independent specialists out there.

[LotusLeftLotusRight 1,230]

Maybe the Phoenix Consortium will ride to the rescue?

[Arregueti 206]

over 60% of its experienced Vehicle Dynamics engineers

 

Matt Becker has resigned... this will no doubt impact the future DNA of Lotus products.

 

Sad to learn that. Bad news, definitively.

 

I am not an industry expert but that sounds like a big cut and therefore a substantial delay in new product development. Maybe that is one of the reasons why we were told "no new cars for some years".

 

Fingers crossed that those (remaining) in the upper floor know what they are doing and it will make sense in the long run.

 

It would be very sad to see Lotus going (or turning simply into a badge)

[BillTheButcher 37]

I understand your concern as I am currently debating chopping my Sprint in for a V6.

The way I look at it is that if Lotus do fold (i really hope not) then I will have one of the last/best cars they have produced.

 

There are also plenty of good independent specialists out there.

Very good points.

 

I'm easily alarmed. 

 

I don't think there's been official confirmation about Matt Becker's resignation yet.

Edited November 19, 2014 by BillTheButcher

[Bibs 11,138]

He has resigned.

[Advantage 910]

[Colins brother 0]

I think that the problem is, whereas before whilst the redundancies hurt and were extremely painful people could see a clear vision and defined plan with leadership - sadly none of these things are present at the moment.

[BillTheButcher 37]

He has resigned.

Thanks for confirming.

[ChrisBuer 88]

 

As someone who has a new Exige S on order, this is making me very nervous about what lies ahead for Lotus, especially in terms of future support for the car that I'm about to buy.

 

As much as I love the car I'm wondering whether I should be asking for the deposit back and looking to a manufacturer with a more certain future. 

 

 

I'm in the same boat. I really want my car but don't want to buy a car that will end up being a TVR!!

[bingoking 265]

Talk about throwing out the family silver! OK Matt Becker resigned but I am sure his decision was as a result of his department being decimated. I wonder how well any new product will handle now that the Becker family are no longer involved at Lotus. The end of another era.

[Don.Hasi 65]

I think that the problem is, whereas before whilst the redundancies hurt and were extremely painful people could see a clear vision and defined plan with leadership - sadly none of these things are present at the moment.

 

Could you please explain the lost of trust and faith nearer?

 

As someone who is heart linked with the brand, I felt the interviews with the CEO very promising with the targets back to the roots and to the often repeated DNA of Lotus. Is there behind the doors a completely different behaviour?

Edited November 19, 2014 by Don.Hasi

[johnpwalsh 1,330]

Come on Lotus, you have to make some kind of statement to quel the rumours and pacify your biggest public service forum.

[Bibs 11,138]

They did that John several months ago when they announced these redundancies.

[Snoopy1969 276]

No joke: esp the short movies on Youtube  with Roger Becker explaining the Evora and Matt Becker explaining the Evora S / handling / tires were a substantial plus when I was thinking in 2011 about buying an Evora (I ordered one in the beginning of 2012). Both were full of enthusiasm and presented the Evora as a car that is "worth" to own - seeing "real" People doing their Job in that way helps to create the "right" Feeling for the product in the mind of the customer. I got the Impression that R Becker was sent away by Dany because he was not enough "bling bling", very sad that M Becker also is no more with Lotus. I was very happy Hearing that Russell Carr was back but the actual policy concerning the workforce is not a move in the right direction when you see the success of a Company on a Long term.

just my 2p