Lightweight seats

[Porter]

Did y'all see the Tillett promo vid for the B10 in the Emira? It looks FANTASTIC

 

[Time2Fly]

That looks great. I'm waiting to see what the cost looks like as pictured. I do wish seat heaters were still possible with them though. As a daily I'd miss that for cold mornings.
@Steve Tillett what are the odds it can be incorporated?

 

[Porter]

That looks great. I'm waiting to see what the cost looks like as pictured. I do wish seat heaters were still possible with them though. As a daily I'd miss that for cold mornings.
@Steve Tillett what are the odds it can be incorporated?

Wait, do the stock seats even have heaters? I literally missed that button. Now I have to go look.

 

[Time2Fly]

Wait, do the stock seats even have heaters? I literally missed that button. Now I have to go look.

They absolutely do, and it's a feature I really can't live without.

 

[cyanmauve]

Those seats look incredible.

 

[Steve Tillett]

That looks great. I'm waiting to see what the cost looks like as pictured. I do wish seat heaters were still possible with them though. As a daily I'd miss that for cold mornings.
@Steve Tillett what are the odds it can be incorporated?

I don't think you will need the heaters as using the seats will make your heart beat faster.
We install seat heaters in the seats we make for Caterham, so you could have them fitted to the B10XL special order but we don't offer a plug and play system, so it would need wiring in.

Costs for one seat in pounds GB are as follows.
Bare seat Carbon GRP B10XL-48.5
£1058.00 + VAT For UK orders.
Emira style trim set in black Dinamica suede and leather with coloured stitching
£594.00 + VAT
The price for the bracket and runner set with fittings
£354.00 + VAT

 

[Time2Fly]

@Steve Tillett how much would the seat heat kit cost per seat? Would it work with the stock buttons?

 

[Steve Tillett]

@Steve Tillett how much would the seat heat kit cost per seat? Would it work with the stock buttons?

We can supply a heater element in the cushion panel in for £50 extra + UK VAT per seat.
It would not be a plug and play setup as we would be using the heater pad that we supply to Caterham. Any wiring in would be the customers responsibility. I don't know if it could be made to work with the stock system.

 

[kitkat]

@Steve Tillett Can we order directly through the UK site for US shipping or at least via GRP as a distributor?

I'd like to directly support a company or distributor that is closely tied to the Lotus community.

 

[Porter]

I don't think you will need the heaters as using the seats will make your heart beat faster.
We install seat heaters in the seats we make for Caterham, so you could have them fitted to the B10XL special order but we don't offer a plug and play system, so it would need wiring in.

Costs for one seat in pounds GB are as follows.
Bare seat Carbon GRP B10XL-48.5
£1058.00 + VAT For UK orders.
Emira style trim set in black Dinamica suede and leather with coloured stitching
£594.00 + VAT
The price for the bracket and runner set with fittings
£354.00 + VAT

Hi Steve,

This is great info, thank you! Do you have any expectation yet regarding what an alternative colored trim option might cost instead of the black/black Dinamica? Or if that's even possible? Those of us with Tan, Red, or Ice Grey interiors are still very interested.

Thanks!

 

[Steve Tillett]

Hi Steve,

This is great info, thank you! Do you have any expectation yet regarding what an alternative colored trim option might cost instead of the black/black Dinamica? Or if that's even possible? Those of us with Tan, Red, or Ice Grey interiors are still very interested.

Thanks!

I have contacted Bridge of Weir as I know they supply the leather. They said they would not sell the colours without Lotus approval and put me in touch with Lotus who I emailed and I am waiting on a reply.

 

[Porter]

I have contacted Bridge of Weir as I know they supply the leather. They said they would not sell the colours without Lotus approval and put me in touch with Lotus who I emailed and I am waiting on a reply.

Wow! Ok thank you Steve. That's great info.

I wanted to say also, that agree with @kitkat above as well... would be great if we could purchase direct, or alternatively through a Lotus specialist that can carry your products at a price that's competitive. I know the distribution model is extremely tough for specialists to be able to add value at a price that's reasonable to customers.

Thanks again for all you do, both for a stellar product and for your engagement with the community, it's really very appreciated.

 

[Steve Tillett]

@Steve Tillett Can we order directly through the UK site for US shipping or at least via GRP as a distributor?

I'd like to directly support a company or distributor that is closely tied to the Lotus community.

Where the US sales are concerned we would prefer customers to go through one of the recognised dealers such as GRP or Torqued. This ensures that any after sales service such as exchanges, warranty, wrong size etc. can be managed. It's impossible with the carriage rates on large lightweight boxes to give a good service from the UK directly, simply due to this cost.

 

[Porter]

Where the US sales are concerned we would prefer customers to go through one of the recognised dealers such as GRP or Torqued. This ensures that any after sales service such as exchanges, warranty, wrong size etc. can be managed. It's impossible with the carriage rates on large lightweight boxes to give a good service from the UK directly, simply due to this cost.

I think that's what we're driving at... the US pricing across the board isn't even in the ballpark of what you're quoting in UK Pounds (even after rate conversion). It's more than 40% out of alignment. Is it possible for a specialist dealer like GRP to buy from you in a way that's different from the current structure?

It's difficult to be a customer from the US in the current distro pricing model, because a single pair of seats with Emira trim and slider hardware would be north of $7000 USD (plus tax and shipping). A comparable UK customer would pay about $5100 USD.

 

[Steve Tillett]

I think that's what we're driving at... the US pricing across the board isn't even in the ballpark of what you're quoting in UK Pounds (even after rate conversion). It's more than 40% out of alignment. Is it possible for a specialist dealer like GRP to buy from you in a way that's different from the current structure?

It's difficult to be a customer from the US in the current distro pricing model, because a single pair of seats with Emira trim and slider hardware would be north of $7000 USD. A comparable UK customer would pay about $5100 USD.

I think most of the difference will be shipping, import taxes and buffers put in for currency fluctuations. but as much as I would like to, I can't do anything about that right now. I am sorry.

 

[Porter]

I think most of the difference will be shipping, import taxes and buffers put in for currency fluctuations. but as much as I would like to, I can't do anything about that right now. I am sorry.

Thanks Steve, I just wanted to put it on your radar so you knew there was a significant regional market pricing disparity going on that might not align with how you've intended to position the brand and the product in the marketplace vs competitors. And FYI there's no US import duty or tariff on automotive seats (HTS 9401.20.0000).

Really appreciate your participation here and your candor. Thanks again for all your work to develop these seats and this outstanding line of products. It's awesome.

 

[Hapkin]

Hi @Steve Tillett . Has the airbag warning light been solved? I am so excited for these seats, especially now that there is a possibility for prewiring for seat heaters. Someone will figure out the adaptor wiring plugs for this I hope.

 

[Steve Tillett]

Hi @Steve Tillett . Has the airbag warning light been solved? I am so excited for these seats, especially now that there is a possibility for prewiring for seat heaters. Someone will figure out the adaptor wiring plugs for this I hope.

No sorry,
My car is waiting for a part to come from Lotus before I drive it to the dealer. I cant rest the electronics to see if the resistor has worked until I get it to the dealer. So I am a bit stuck.

 

[Time2Fly]

@Steve Tillett any chance you're working on a folding carbon seat like the SF90s?

 

[Steve Tillett]

@Steve Tillett any chance you're working on a folding carbon seat like the SF90s?

Not yet, sorry. It’s been considered as a future project but these things take ages to come through.