Anyone received their 30 day notification yet?

[Lotustoronto]

Just got my update I was originally a November for December delivery I4. I am now August 2023 production beat that ! A 26 month wait from my July 7th deposit!!! I actually find it quite funny now

Is this a joke? /. Sorry just saw it was an i4.... makes a tad more sense... still outrageous.

 

[Eagle7]

Is this a joke? /. Sorry just saw it was an i4.... makes a tad more sense... still outrageous.

Well 24 months from a proof of concept car being shown, to using a new engine/trans they've never used before isn't that outrageous. Most companies have a minimum of a 2 year lead time to produce something, much less something as complex and heavily regulation dependent as a car. The mid-engine C8 was in development for 13 years, and that was with GM's vast development resources.

It's obviously not fun to have to wait, but considering what's going on in the world right now, it shouldn't be that unexpected either.

 

[Lotustoronto]

Well 24 months from a proof of concept car being shown, to using a new engine/trans they've never used before isn't that outrageous. Most companies have a minimum of a 2 year lead time to produce something, much less something as complex and heavily regulation dependent as a car. The mid-engine C8 was in development for 13 years, and that was with GM's vast development resources.

It's obviously not fun to have to wait, but considering what's going on in the world right now, it shouldn't be that unexpected either.

It wasn't so much the lead time for integrating the new powertrain... it was the original expected delivery date given from Lotus to the customer, originally November 2022 changed to August 2023. That is a 10 month delay to someone's expected delivery date.(if it does not get pushed again) That is significant to any vehicle order. But to be fairly honest, I don't think we will see many an i4's next summer anyways. Most will be heading to China.

There will be quite a few people that made deposits in late 2021, after the reveal that will only receive a car in 2024. 3 years waiting for a car is a lot by any standards. From the moment an auto company allows you to take a deposit for a vehicle 3+ years of waiting for the vehicle is a lot. Outside of hypercars like an Aston Valkyrie, It's a bit of a long time.

To add to the C8 - from the reveal date of the C8 and opening of the configurator - first cars were delivered under 6 months after that. C8 was not a good example.

 

[Eagle7]

It wasn't so much the lead time for integrating the new powertrain... it was the original expected delivery date given from Lotus to the customer, originally November 2022 changed to August 2023. That is a 10 month delay to someone's expected delivery date.(if it does not get pushed again) That is significant to any vehicle order. But to be fairly honest, I don't think we will see many an i4's next summer anyways. Most will be heading to China.

There will be quite a few people that made deposits in late 2021, after the reveal that will only receive a car in 2024. 3 years waiting for a car is a lot by any standards. From the moment an auto company allows you to take a deposit for a vehicle 3+ years of waiting for the vehicle is a lot. Outside of hypercars like an Aston Valkyrie, It's a bit of a long time.

To add to the C8 - from the reveal date of the C8 and opening of the configurator - first cars were delivered under 6 months after that. C8 was not a good example.

Yes, "the original expected delivery date" which did not take into account what's been happening in the world and is affecting every car manufacturer. The C8 is a perfect example that even with the massive resources of GM, it took them that long to get it into production. Of course those massive resources also enable them to make 10 times as many as Lotus can, so there's that too.

I think it's reasonable to assume that nobody wants to build cars and get them into customer's hands more than Lotus does right now. For reasons that are currently out of their control, for the time being they're struggling with that right now. It is what it is. Either people have the patience, fortitude and financial means to stay the course until their car is delivered, or if they can't for whatever reason, they should just cancel and move on. It's just a car; it's not worth the drama some seem to be going through. You'll be able to buy one later when there are more available. We don't know what the prices will be then, but you won't have to wait to get one.

 

[Scruff111S]

Just got my update I was originally a November for December delivery I4. I am now August 2023 production beat that ! A 26 month wait from my July 7th deposit!!! I actually find it quite funny now

I put my deposit down 5th October 2019, so far 3 years, not finding it funny now. In fact waying up my options as Lotus are clearly not building in deposit order.

 

[Eagle7]

I put my deposit down 5th October 2019, so far 3 years, not finding it funny now. In fact waying up my options as Lotus are clearly not building in deposit order.

Yeah that's got to be frustrating. Matt said in that video with Harry that they've had to resort to building the cars they can, regardless of deposit/order date because of everything that's going on. Without naming anyone, he said they've been frustrated by their suppliers not meeting their promised delivery dates. It's frustrating all the way around.

 

[Jimblob]

when did you get the call and previous email re those options... ie the pre checkout email?

Was that the New Vehicle protection email? If so i received that on 8th Sep

 

[JimH]

Congratulations!
Rest assured it's not just Edinburgh it's difficult to get to Hethel from. It's the entire UK unless you're driving because...well, Norfolk

There used to be a lovely little Loganair flight from Edinburgh to Norwich (and vice versa) but alas, no more (I think COVID may have killed it off....)

 

[Beady]

My deposit was 9 July 21 (Goodwood Friday) - original emailed production date was July and last update October.
Received the general email last week and missed a call from CC 2 days ago - I am so disinterested I haven’t bothered to call them back.
I was guessing maybe Jan build but now thinking this could be March or later?
Still love the looks but interested has all but left long ago.

as if they were watching - received a call today - Jan build / Feb delivery
I asked about making any spec changes and was told this would delay likely into end of Q2 - so probably June/July.
Poor guy on the phone sounded like he has had a hard time on a lot of his calls but was very courteous.
I didnt ask anything else as I still don't believe this date will be kept anyway

 

[JimH]

Just got my update I was originally a November for December delivery I4. I am now August 2023 production beat that ! A 26 month wait from my July 7th deposit!!! I actually find it quite funny now

Same for me - but 8th July 2021 deposit.....

 

[emiraspain]

Was that the New Vehicle protection email? If so i received that on 8th Sep

8th september...wow...thats meant to be about a month before the car.. haha...
slow starters i guess...

 

[Lotustoronto]

Yes, "the original expected delivery date" which did not take into account what's been happening in the world and is affecting every car manufacturer. The C8 is a perfect example that even with the massive resources of GM, it took them that long to get it into production. Of course those massive resources also enable them to make 10 times as many as Lotus can, so there's that too.

I think it's reasonable to assume that nobody wants to build cars and get them into customer's hands more than Lotus does right now. For reasons that are currently out of their control, for the time being they're struggling with that right now. It is what it is. Either people have the patience, fortitude and financial means to stay the course until their car is delivered, or if they can't for whatever reason, they should just cancel and move on. It's just a car; it's not worth the drama some seem to be going through. You'll be able to buy one later when there are more available. We don't know what the prices will be then, but you won't have to wait to get one.

They launched the car in 2021 - In the middle of covid lockdowns, wearing masks when they gave approx. delivery timing.... You really don't think they took that into consideration? They knew the situation and either underestimated it, or cocked it up. I won't give them a pass for it being "unforeseen" circumstances.

How long a car was in developments is irrelevant to delivery timing. Lexus took 10 years to develop a sedan, Ferrari did an SUV in 5. Tesla cybertruck looks to be 4/5 years in developments, C8 was 12 years. Emira started development in 2018 - from an interview with Russel Carr, around the time of Evija launch it was already in development.

What is relevant to the conversation is when a vehicle is released / launched and a configurator with pricing goes live and you are able to order the vehicle with a bill of sale - outlining options and price. I believe that in the UK this happened back in Sep/Oct 2021. UK second deposits for i4 F/E were required in Feb/Mar '22 deadline, I believe. Any UK i4 ppl can confirm this? From Sep 2021 configurator i4 F/E - to July 2023 production is a VERY long wait. Not to mention your spec and second deposit was locked in for 1.5 YEARS. BTW this July 2023 production start is still a maybe and could get pushed out again.

I can understand if I came today and placed an i4 deposit and they told me 2025. I was late to the party, and probably have 10K deposits ahead of me. OK, that I understand. However, from Bill of sale and second deposit (guaranteed allocation / production spot) in feb 2021 - to getting the car in aug 2023. No, sorry that is not just supply chain issues at play. Ferrari will deliver the first few Purosangue SUV before an i4 Emira, and they released it a year and half after Lotus.

 

[roundincircles]

They launched the car in 2021 - In the middle of covid lockdowns, wearing masks when they gave approx. delivery timing.... You really don't think they took that into consideration? They knew the situation and either underestimated it, or cocked it up. I won't give them a pass for it being "unforeseen" circumstances.

How long a car was in developments is irrelevant to delivery timing. Lexus took 10 years to develop a sedan, Ferrari did an SUV in 5. Tesla cybertruck looks to be 4/5 years in developments, C8 was 12 years. Emira started development in 2018 - from an interview with Russel Carr, around the time of Evija launch it was already in development.

What is relevant to the conversation is when a vehicle is released / launched and a configurator with pricing goes live and you are able to order the vehicle with a bill of sale - outlining options and price. I believe that in the UK this happened back in Sep/Oct 2021. UK second deposits for i4 F/E were required in Feb/Mar '22 deadline, I believe. Any UK i4 ppl can confirm this? From Sep 2021 configurator i4 F/E - to July 2023 production is a VERY long wait. Not to mention your spec and second deposit was locked in for 1.5 YEARS. BTW this July 2023 production start is still a maybe and could get pushed out again.

I can understand if I came today and placed an i4 deposit and they told me 2025. I was late to the party, and probably have 10K deposits ahead of me. OK, that I understand. However, from Bill of sale and second deposit (guaranteed allocation / production spot) in feb 2021 - to getting the car in aug 2023. No, sorry that is not just supply chain issues at play. Ferrari will deliver the first few Purosangue SUV before an i4 Emira, and they released it a year and half after Lotus.

Ouch! And ouch again.

 

[Eagle7]

They launched the car in 2021 - In the middle of covid lockdowns, wearing masks when they gave approx. delivery timing.... You really don't think they took that into consideration? They knew the situation and either underestimated it, or cocked it up. I won't give them a pass for it being "unforeseen" circumstances.

How long a car was in developments is irrelevant to delivery timing. Lexus took 10 years to develop a sedan, Ferrari did an SUV in 5. Tesla cybertruck looks to be 4/5 years in developments, C8 was 12 years. Emira started development in 2018 - from an interview with Russel Carr, around the time of Evija launch it was already in development.

What is relevant to the conversation is when a vehicle is released / launched and a configurator with pricing goes live and you are able to order the vehicle with a bill of sale - outlining options and price. I believe that in the UK this happened back in Sep/Oct 2021. UK second deposits for i4 F/E were required in Feb/Mar '22 deadline, I believe. Any UK i4 ppl can confirm this? From Sep 2021 configurator i4 F/E - to July 2023 production is a VERY long wait. Not to mention your spec and second deposit was locked in for 1.5 YEARS. BTW this July 2023 production start is still a maybe and could get pushed out again.

I can understand if I came today and placed an i4 deposit and they told me 2025. I was late to the party, and probably have 10K deposits ahead of me. OK, that I understand. However, from Bill of sale and second deposit (guaranteed allocation / production spot) in feb 2021 - to getting the car in aug 2023. No, sorry that is not just supply chain issues at play. Ferrari will deliver the first few Purosangue SUV before an i4 Emira, and they released it a year and half after Lotus.

Fine. Hang onto that righteousness and anger, that will make everything better for you and Lotus. No slack. Continue the beatings until morale improves.

 

[Leonard]

Fine. Hang onto that righteousness and anger, that will make everything better for you and Lotus. No slack. Continue the beatings until morale improves.

Genuine question what would it take for you to feel like Lotus had let you down 'a little bit'
- Another year delay
- 10% price rise
- part supply issue that means your car is off the road for 10 weeks?
- Matt Windle having an affair with your wife?

 

[Lotustoronto]

Fine. Hang onto that righteousness and anger, that will make everything better for you and Lotus. No slack. Continue the beatings until morale improves.

not angry or righteousness... disappointment.

 

[LotusAmateur]

so if you are a manual as you say and you paid your deposit to lotus? direct..before launch, there would seem no way you should be march 2023.....
In this case I would be seriously questioning them...
Call and ask to speak to Alex for example....
If you paid through a dealer, that could explain the issue....as not all dealers gave the correct info and in cases Lotus also made errors on their side with dates, but you probably have proof from your bank as to when your deposit left your account and with this I would be making a strong case to them......

I am a manual from 7 July deposit. And now I am a Mar production. Questioning Lotus got me nowhere. I escalated to Scott and was just offered my deposit back. So I think we have to stop being naive and assuming they will do the right thing by customers - that is just soundbites, not action. They are solving for Lotus and their key future markets - the sooner we accept that the better.

 

[BeHappy]

I am a manual from 7 July deposit. And now I am a Mar production. Questioning Lotus got me nowhere. I escalated to Scott and was just offered my deposit back. So I think we have to stop being naive and assuming they will do the right thing by customers - that is just soundbites, not action. They are solving for Lotus and their key future markets - the sooner we accept that the better.

Wow but how can people from so early on be shunted now to March ??? so are they basically making space to serve other markets and UK being further deprioritised.

 

[RENDERMAN]

I am a manual from 7 July deposit. And now I am a Mar production. Questioning Lotus got me nowhere. I escalated to Scott and was just offered my deposit back. So I think we have to stop being naive and assuming they will do the right thing by customers - that is just soundbites, not action. They are solving for Lotus and their key future markets - the sooner we accept that the better.

At the tender age of 19, back in '79, I learned never to ASS/U/ME, cause when you do, you make an ASS out of U and ME...

 

[Stealth_Yellow]

I also received an email today. My car has gone from November 2022 to August 2023. I’m not really that bothered anymore, I’m kind of over it I think.
My wife ordered a new Lexus in January 2022. It was built To order in Japan. It arrived in the UK in May. The dealer apologised to us for the wait.