Lotus halt all delivery to the US.

[Wiz33]

Just got this from my dealer:

"Due to the new tariffs being imposed on April 2nd. The Emira will be materially impacted because of certain globally sourced parts. .While Lotus itself may not be on the affected manufacturer list. Key components of the Emira are. meaning no more Emira will be shipped to the US at this point.

Basically, If your base V6 was not on the 3/17 boat. You won't see it in the foreseeable future.

UPDATE: 2 more boats have arrived. one on 3/25 and one on 3/30 with all cars offloaded by 3/31 so another 200+ V6 base have landed.

 

[Atlantis Blue Emira]

Terrible for those waiting forever to get their car

Good for those that received their car

Value should hold up and long term is even better

Probably price goes up

 

[Vampyre]

10% looks like the UK number, but I think for auto's it is 25%

 

[Tomwa]

Doesn't the "Auto Tariff" Supersede the UK one?

 

[Vampyre]

Doesn't the "Auto Tariff" Supersede the UK one?

I am not sure, as I thought was a different rate for cars.

 

[ToonFan]

All autos imported- 25%.

 

[RobR]

Admin, please keep this thread open! This is an important topic to those, like me, who have a deposit but no car. If users violate forum rules, ban them rather than shutting down the threads they hijack. Thank you!

 

[Wiz33]

Admin, please keep this thread open! This is an important topic to those, like me, who have a deposit but no car. If users violate forum rules, ban them rather than shutting down the threads they hijack. Thank you!

Do you have a VIN yet? 2 more boats have arrived since the 3/17 one and another 200+ V6 base have arrived and got offloaded by 3/31

 

[DerTheDer]

Godspeed people! Hope you get your cars.

 

[daSchtick]

Outside of the one email we've all seen which I believe originated from 1 dealership (which may have other motives), I have not heard official from Lotus or my dealership. In fact, they are planning an open house with Emira test drives.

That said, until I hear back, I am continuing to hold out hope.

 

[RobR]

Do you have a VIN yet? 2 more boats have arrived since the 3/17 one and another 200+ V6 base have arrived and got offloaded by 3/31

Alas no, I only ordered her two months ago.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I struggle to see how Lotus can continue selling the Emira in the United States. The 25% tariff can only be absorbed by three potential parties: Lotus, the car dealers, or the American consumer.

In the investor calls, Lotus has indicated that margins on the Emira are already unacceptably low (hence the focus on special editions), so clearly Lotus can't afford to take much of a hit on its wholesale price. I can't imagine the US consumer would be willing to accept much of a price increase on the Emira.

So . . . the numbers just won't work.

 

[Beachbum]

Will be interesting to see how parts availability effects 2nd hand prices of the cars already in the US. Adding 25% to all new parts is going to hurt

 

[MiamiBlue]

Will be interesting to see how parts availability effects 2nd hand prices of the cars already in the US. Adding 25% to all new parts is going to hurt

If Lotus in the US shrinks or just pulls out altogether, then support and services might be a bigger issue. Who is going to install software updates or perform recalls? Do specialist servicing or warranty work? These are not drive and forget cars unfortunately. I would hate to lose Lotus dealers where you could just drive in and get your car sorted. I wouldn't want to have to import parts myself and work it all out.
Hopefully it doesn't come to this!

 

[Rcktmn]

If Lotus in the US shrinks or just pulls out altogether, then support and services might be a bigger issue. Who is going to install software updates or perform recalls? Do specialist servicing or warranty work? These are not drive and forget cars unfortunately. I would hate to lose Lotus dealers where you could just drive in and get your car sorted. I wouldn't want to have to import parts myself and work it all out.
Hopefully it doesn't come to this!

Gotta drive your car up to Canada and get your software updates

 

[daSchtick]

If Lotus in the US shrinks or just pulls out altogether, then support and services might be a bigger issue. Who is going to install software updates or perform recalls? Do specialist servicing or warranty work?

Bingo! This is my other concern. If the car arrives, will there be any long term support? 6 months ago, I had no doubts about Lotus remaining in the US. Now I wonder if they'll stay. Heck, I wonder if Porsche will stay.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Bingo! This is my other concern. If the car arrives, will there be any long term support? 6 months ago, I had no doubts about Lotus remaining in the US. Now I wonder if they'll stay. Heck, I wonder if Porsche will stay.

I don't think Porsche will pull out of their largest market.

 

[Tomwa]

I don't think Porsche will pull out of their largest market.

Perhaps not, but they could pull back on offering lower margin cars. No more base Cayman without chrono, pasm, and leather. Now only leather Cayman S packed with add ones as the new "base"

This isn't entirely uncommon, but it does ultimately affect buyers. BMW sells 3 Series cars domestically (in Germany) with cloth seats (or used to), but we don't get those in the US.

 

[EspritGuy]

Outside of the one email we've all seen which I believe originated from 1 dealership (which may have other motives), I have not heard official from Lotus or my dealership. In fact, they are planning an open house with Emira test drives.

That said, until I hear back, I am continuing to hold out hope.

This is a great point: what are other dealers saying about current inventory, present orders and future prospects. On the latter, no doubt waiting for Lotus guidance. They have to do something with cars sitting in Hethel in whatever stage of finish. Sales revenue still matters.
Emiras here (@Nova) still need service and parts support which constitute dealer revenue.
If Lotus prices rise so does every other luxury car, oddly maintaining status quo. The question is what is affordable and comparative value.

 

[gr1p]

The British government will be negotiating with the US within a week.