Los Angeles Auto Show 2006

[Paul93Lotus]

For anyone going to the L.A Auto Show this weekend (ends Sunday), do yourself a favor and watch the complete video presentation on several video screens at the Lotus display. Some great video of vintage Loti, as well as some cool video of the manufacturing process of the Elise / Exige.

For the price of the Elise, I can't understand why ALL of the cars are behind the velvet ropes - especially when you could sit in a Boxster , Cayman, and Carrera at the Porsche display, and a BMW M6 at BMW and a 500SL at Mercedes. It is probably the one chance where someone could sit behind a car to get the feel without being harassed by a salesperson at a dealership. For some younger people, that could be all it takes to establish that "dream" of one day owning a Lotus....and becoming a Lotus owner in the near future.

I think Lotus is making a mistake when it comes to that...especially since their cars are "affordable".

Anyway, it is worth the 5-6 minute watch.

Edited December 9, 2006 by Paul93Lotus

[gmendoza]

Is this the one?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4775506803881566484

[Paul93Lotus]

Is this the one?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4775506803881566484

Yes! That's it! Glad I didn't wait around for anything on the Esprit! For a car they built 25 years, they sure dissed it in that video.

Either way, great video!

[Kimbers]

Paul

I think you'll find it's all part of the way they are trying to raise the image of Lotus in the states. As you correctly said, Porsche, Ferrari Lambo etc will all be roped off and GM and Ford will be open. Lotus are merely using it as a way to subtley state "We're high quality".

It shouldn't and won't stop people getting onto the stand to admire and sit in the cars. (At least it shouldn't as long as the staff don't get over zealous.

You are also correct that the kids will be future buyers and I also hope that the staff understand that.

[jimmybondi]

Paul

As you correctly said, Porsche, Ferrari Lambo etc will all be roped off and GM and Ford will be open. Lotus are merely using it as a way to subtley state "We're high quality".

I understood that at least Porsche, BMW and Mercedes are NOT roped off...

For the price of the Elise, I can't understand why ALL of the cars are behind the velvet ropes - especially when you could sit in a Boxster , Cayman, and Carrera at the Porsche display, and a BMW M6 at BMW and a 500SL at Mercedes.

Of course, BMW & Mercedes & Co. are high volume manufacturers and they wouldn't care if a car get binned at the show...

Of course Lotus is High-Quality, but they could make a difference by saying: we are not hoity-toity...

Edited January 17, 2007 by jimmybondi

[Kimbers]

OK missed that.

Porsche are just mass made cars aswell! and hardly exclusive (I normally see 3 on the way to work at least).

Anyway, that would be my thought on why it's roped off.

[Jonathan]

Hmmm thats a big downer, the thing I like about car shows is to see and experience the cars there.

Pretty much everyone is a potential customer, personally there is much more to gain by having the cars out in the open for people to respectfully look at as opposed to roping them off and going "you cant afford one, clear off".

It's one thing certain manufacturers got right at Excel London Motor show this year and others got terribly wrong.

Never forget the Corvette woman, I've always liked vettes (well, the propper ones) and when I asked to have a seat in it she said only for genuine interest only

I'm like wind your neck in love, its a bloody Chevrolet

Thankfully Lotus got it right and there were more people interacting on their small 5 car stand than a lot of the other MAJOR manufacturers, Ford, Alfa and Honda also done a great job.

I've bumped into the people from Ascari at Goodwood and they were more than happy to let me get into the KZ1, yet that's much more expensive and exclusive than some of the other stuck up 'rivals'.