So I guess I won’t be invited for a test drive, as I haven’t received an email or a call. Just because I didn’t supposedly “lock in” when requested for a Nov/dec delivery, I was shoved to a 2023 delivery. But, because of that I won’t be invited for a early test drive? This is so wrong in so many ways as I don’t have the opportunity to be happy with the test/car - then inform LCS to reinstate me. That’s what being a “Priority” customer is all about who committed with being on my dealers list well before reveal.
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You could raise it. They must have a lot of cancellations now, it would be easy to just give you one of those slots and not affect any 'priority' list..
Yes, from my point of view, it seems that a deposit on the 5th October 2019 means nothing to Lotus as with your early deposit. They are clearly not building and delivering in deposit order. I for one am getting more than a bit annoyed about the whole thing. And this from a long term enthusiast. This, I feel, is not how to treat customers.
I wonder if Lotus now consider early depositor cancellations as a positive outcome for them. After all, if they're not making much margin on the original price cars then an almost guaranteed price hike is imminent and they may just say the price guarantee was for early depositors only.........if they even honour the price promise
Leonard you are right I will raise it. Not getting any younger in fact I am 70 next week. I owned my first Lotus at 19 I have most models from the early Elan, Elite, Esprit Turbo, Elise, And now two Evora’s - this was to be my swan song Lotus, but now not sure. I am absolutely in despair with the last two years. Shocked and disappointed with all the false promises. I am really now looking to cancel and get something else.this has gone on too long and Matt Windle should hang his head in shame after the Harry’s video what this supposedly UK company have done to the UK market (or not done). Shame on them and shame on LCS for all their mixed messages.
I would ring and ask to speak to someone senior not just CS call handlers and explain your situation surely if Lotus have any care for their loyal priority customers they will work something out for you including car and demo ride. Also if you ring a dealer and explain I’m sure the dealer would also give you an early demo ride
I think we all need to remember, as has been said several times, this car, the porsche 718, the "renault" alpine, the aston martin vantage.... deceased the 4C(deceased point in case)... the list goes on, these cars do NOT make money in real terms for these huge companies, the "profit" is a drop in the ocean!
These cars are show pieces!
The original Buggattttti Veyyyyrons lost a fortune on each car, if top gear are to be believed, and I do believe them.
The manufacturers are happy to cover their costs to get the name out there and show what they can do, although in Lotus's case, they have not really shown what they can do yet for various reasons, the main one being, not having faith in their audience and selling potential. If they did have that faith, they would have invested more and given the 718 GTS / 4 a real run for its money from the off and with a different engine, not a xx year old toyota one. They did not think they would sell as many as they have..... and they were perhaps correct to be cautious, as long as they now step on up from here.
The money comes from the SUV's for most, those are the cash cows, and future EV's for Lotus, not the sports car one either.
So, I really think, although many comments are tongue in cheek, the whole idea of Lotus delaying UK cars on purpose is simply farcical. To make a couple of thousand dollars more at best on an Australian car, rather than a UK car (remember the price difference is mainly due to taxes and transport, paperwork for homologation for a small market, etc etc) is not enough reason to ruin their own reputation in their home and currently LARGEST market by far, and potentially lose a thousand orders in 12 months, which forgetting about profit margins, would gross them approx 70 MILLION pounds... that covers a LOT of overheads, which they need to do.
I know Lotus have not told the truth about every detail and in my limited business experience, it is generally best to do so as 90% of us are quite forgiving in this case, but 90% are also not forgiving about being kept in the dark or lied to.... brings back memories of my 4 ex wives.... and children...and even the pets... lying so and so's haha.
SO enough conspiracy theories... we dont know exactly why the delays and perhaps never will, but the UK market is huge for Lotus, the Largest by far in the EU and even for the EV, it is the second largest car market after Germany for used cars with 8 million changing hands per year. We are important... or at the very least I am...
thats my sat morning crap, now to tidy the house..clean the car....or play snooker... tough call
These cars are show pieces!
The original Buggattttti Veyyyyrons lost a fortune on each car, if top gear are to be believed, and I do believe them.
The manufacturers are happy to cover their costs to get the name out there and show what they can do, although in Lotus's case, they have not really shown what they can do yet for various reasons, the main one being, not having faith in their audience and selling potential. If they did have that faith, they would have invested more and given the 718 GTS / 4 a real run for its money from the off and with a different engine, not a xx year old toyota one. They did not think they would sell as many as they have..... and they were perhaps correct to be cautious, as long as they now step on up from here.
The money comes from the SUV's for most, those are the cash cows, and future EV's for Lotus, not the sports car one either.
So, I really think, although many comments are tongue in cheek, the whole idea of Lotus delaying UK cars on purpose is simply farcical. To make a couple of thousand dollars more at best on an Australian car, rather than a UK car (remember the price difference is mainly due to taxes and transport, paperwork for homologation for a small market, etc etc) is not enough reason to ruin their own reputation in their home and currently LARGEST market by far, and potentially lose a thousand orders in 12 months, which forgetting about profit margins, would gross them approx 70 MILLION pounds... that covers a LOT of overheads, which they need to do.
I know Lotus have not told the truth about every detail and in my limited business experience, it is generally best to do so as 90% of us are quite forgiving in this case, but 90% are also not forgiving about being kept in the dark or lied to.... brings back memories of my 4 ex wives.... and children...and even the pets... lying so and so's haha.
SO enough conspiracy theories... we dont know exactly why the delays and perhaps never will, but the UK market is huge for Lotus, the Largest by far in the EU and even for the EV, it is the second largest car market after Germany for used cars with 8 million changing hands per year. We are important... or at the very least I am...
thats my sat morning crap, now to tidy the house..clean the car....or play snooker... tough call
“They must have a lot of cancellations …”
How do you know it ? I mean im not being sarcastic , only want to know if you read or something about a lot of cancellations going on
Being on a dealer list I thought I was in a good position for an early car, after the reveal and Goodwood, and Lotus online order situation, my dealer said wait a while, two weeks passed and I called and they stated I had to order online. You can imagine my dismay when they said that!
I did but felt like I was “at the harbour but the Emira boat was disappearing over the horizon”.
I then wrote to Matt who had Scott call me - he confirmed that I would get an early car and I was on the “Priority” list. Tom referred to this as dealer lists were integrated into the early order system as not to be compromised. I thought great. But since then I have posted my concerns and requirement - like you to test a car and indeed a selected sports suspended car at that, After the Harry’s back to back comparison and Schimee concerns on YouTube.
So I wait for a test drive but I feel I have been unduly penalised for this.
But I feel everyone has been let down compared to deliveries to ROW. We in the UK have been really compromised. I understand business considerations, but not to provide Lotus - their home market is a tragedy. So will put pen to paper again as ringing LCS will be pointless they have been useless as everyone in this Forum have experienced, not a question has been answered and false dawns every week, openness is not a word you can use in respect to this department - Geoff Dowding whoever he is has no control over these Shananagins. If that’s a word I can use.
Only going from what I read on here.
When I said 'a lot' I didn't mean A LOT. Just that there must be drop out and @Forlorn only requires one of those slots
You should definitely raise it with Scott or directly with Matt.
With that long history of Lotus ownership and support you really should be prioritised. It's not like you are even queue jumping you should be in the top 25 of deposits.
Heck if I could I would happily give up my slot to you, genuinely.
I'm also coming up to 70 and likewise this was to be my final Lotus. Was after an i4 but who knows, truefully when they may appear. I've had a replacement knee since ordering and the back is on its last legs. So so fed up with the lack of progress in the UK market provision. Don't know if, from a purely practical point of view if an Emira is feasible any more
If someone wants a change....: can go in my place... never been.. dont know how they even got my email...
You know and I know they won’t do anything if you try and speak to someone senior or go via the dealer. LCC are kept at arms length from “the factory” (Production Operations) and also from Sales, so only know what the factory tells them and can’t influence schedules.
Dealers have almost no influence over HQ and will have very little control over test drives for the first few weeks, as HQ is handling all the bookings.
These will supposedly be prioritised for early customers but I know already that’s not reliable, as I found my name wasn’t on the test drive invitation list.
I messaged Matt directly and got a 'minor' annoyance sorted out (or at least I think I have, will see when the car arrives I guess. He was very good about it and Scott followed it up A++
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I think my chosen Forum name is very Apt. I am resigned to contact my dealer who have always been good to me to get a test drive, if I am blocked or not on the LCS system, then so be it.
I acknowledge Leonard’s, R8’s and Baldyash very sympathetic views and I thank them for that.
I am also suffering from back and knee issues ( procedure this week) but also considering whether I will be fit enough to own an Emira now. I have some track days in 2023 earmarked (Silverstone, Croft. And Spa Francorchamp/Zandvoort) but not sure I will have a car or even get there to drive, maybe as a guest as I did this year. We live in hope.
I also feel for Tom - he must feel like I do, even with his contacts nothing changes, but to find out you are not on the test drive list - shocking but what to do
Yes, i see where you are coming from. On the 10th June Matt Windle video he did say that even with their costs going up that we would pay the price as quoted. But as you say, will they honour that promise as their margins are squeezed. Also, given that anything customer care tells us turns out to be untrue, ie any latest fairy story/information on delivery dates. For me at least, ranging from March this year to now being told December. I for one don't believe anything they say. I will, however, believe it only when i am driving my Emira away from the dealer.I wonder if Lotus now consider early depositor cancellations as a positive outcome for them. After all, if they're not making much margin on the original price cars then an almost guaranteed price hike is imminent and they may just say the price guarantee was for early depositors only.........if they even honour the price promise
I think maybe give them til next Tuesday to make all the callsI've still had no email or call regarding my Oct build so do I assume its still on, do I assume its at least pushed until Jan
Scott gave me his email at the roadshow, I've never used it but now might be the time.
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