Has Lotus abandoned the agency sales model in the UK?

[freefall_junkie]

I think this was mentioned in another thread, but it seems worthy of a thread in its own right. There now seems to be no way of ordering a new Emira on the Lotus UK website, so does this mean Lotus have gone back to using dealers for new sales? To my mind the move to the agency model was an epic failure from a customer point of view. They chose to cut out the dealers from new sales, many of whom like B&C had a long and trusted relationship with customers, and tried to replace them with centralised customer services who were often clueless, unresponsive, and generally frustrating to deal with. In addition, Lotus have made a complete arse of managing direct sales, building cars to order before the customer had to enter a firm contract. This lead to a huge number of orphaned cars from cancelled orders, massive over supply, and consequent hammering of residual values.

If they really have abandoned the agency model, good riddance.

Your thoughts?

 

[Joel]

I was told last week that Ryland in Bristol have gone back to direct sales and have gone away from agency, wasn't sure if it was more widespread

 

[webfoot]

Yes, if you want to order an Emira in the UK, you now have to go through your local dealer (Lotus Centre). They are being set up with access to the ordering system. The switch is in progress so things still being worked out.

IMO it's good news.

The factory Lotus Centre has also disappeared from the list (I believe Scott Walker has left). So no more factory delivery option. I also know of another change to a Lotus Centre but not my place to say.

 

[Porter]

Yes, if you want to order an Emira in the UK, you now have to go through your local dealer (Lotus Centre). They are being set up with access to the ordering system. The switch is in progress so things still being worked out.

IMO it's good news.

The factory Lotus Centre has also disappeared from the list (I believe Scott Walker has left). So no more factory delivery option. I also know of another change to a Lotus Centre but not my place to say.

SCOTT WALKER has LEFT??? Like, left the company?

 

[Eagle7]

If Scott Walker has left Lotus that is NOT good news!!!

 

[PsymonR]

Planning of a change back away from an agency model was reported back in November so sounds as if this has finally been implemented.

Timing of the change now I guess makes sense given they've now been able to get the i4s produced. Get the initial order books out the door and change model before base (and possibly other variant) order books are opened.

The factory Lotus Centre has also disappeared from the list (I believe Scott Walker has left). So no more factory delivery option. I also know of another change to a Lotus Centre but not my place to say.

Factory collection wasn't an option for my i4 back in March so that seems to have already been a thing for a couple of months at least. Regarding Scott Walker, his LinkedIn page still shows him at Lotus, but of course that may just not be updated yet.

 

[freefall_junkie]

Good news for customers and dealers I reckon. A few months ago I was sent a customer feedback survey by Lotus, which I returned stating bluntly that the agency model didn't work from a customer point of view and that they needed to sort their shit out regarding customer service and comms. I'm sure many other owners will have said the same. I'd like to think this made a difference but it sounds like the decision may have been made some time ago.

Still, credit to Lotus for hopefully a step in the right direction for the customer experience, and perhaps to manage supply better to shore up residuals.

 

[JimH]

SCOTT WALKER has LEFT??? Like, left the company?

Scott left a few weeks ago, having first given notice, then extended twice, at the end of September 2023......

Finders crossed that Stratton Motors (Lotus Norfolk) take a new car sales agency back again (currently only service agents and approved used car sales since the last changes) as there's a big sales agent gap right in the middle of "Hethelshire" now....

 

[dgrace]

Out of curiosity, did Lotus ever deliver any Evijas?

 

[Porter]

Out of curiosity, did Lotus ever deliver any Evijas?

I believe they have delivered several. Only a few though.

 

[Eagle7]

Scott left a few weeks ago, having first given notice, then extended twice, at the end of September 2023......

Finders crossed that Stratton Motors (Lotus Norfolk) take a new car sales agency back again (currently only service agents and approved used car sales since the last changes) as there's a big sales agent gap right in the middle of "Hethelshire" now....

Did he go somewhere else? A dealer maybe, or did he just retire?

 

[JimH]

Did he go somewhere else? A dealer maybe, or did he just retire?

He will be “doing something else linked with the Lotus brand and its heritage” - watch this space……

 

[Lego Man]

Scott is an absolute legend he was brilliant helping me with my initial Emira issues, Lotus's loss
Look forward to seeing where he ends up