Lotus terminates partnerships with several UK retailers

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Lotus has terminated contracts with several franchised dealerships in the UK as part of a "restructuring" of its retail network to coincide with the launch of the Emira. The move has sparked concerns that the availability of parts for second-hand Lotus models – already a concern for owners – could be restricted. According to a forum post from Maidstone Sports Cars, itself affected, the list of businesses that will no longer be official Lotus retailers includes Hangar 111 in Woodbridge, Rapid Mechanical Services in Romford, SJ Sports Cars in Crediton and at least four more outfits.

Continue Reading @ AutoCar.co.uk

 

[TomE]

It's part of the Lotus future retailing and servicing strategy, as announced in April.

There's a helpful response by Hangar111 giving a clearer explanation of the long dialogue Lotus has had with these dealers before mutual agreement about them not continuing to be official partners. They'll still be important independent Lotus servicing companies and the upcoming changes to UK parts supply and inventory should make it easier for them (and the approved dealers too).

Hangar 111: Independent Lotus Specialist - Hangar 111 Lotus

As you may or may not be aware, Lotus have made a statement to the motoring press regarding the “termination” of Authorised Repairer contracts across the UK network. The following is our statement in response to the Autocar article to more accurately clarify our position. “Hangar 111 would...

www.hangar111.com

 

[Dragoon]

It's part of the Lotus future retailing and servicing strategy, as announced in April.

There's a helpful response by Hangar111 giving a clearer explanation of the long dialogue Lotus has had with these dealers before mutual agreement about them not continuing to be official partners. They'll still be important independent Lotus servicing companies and the upcoming changes to UK parts supply and inventory should make it easier for them (and the approved dealers too).

Hangar 111: Independent Lotus Specialist - Hangar 111 Lotus

As you may or may not be aware, Lotus have made a statement to the motoring press regarding the “termination” of Authorised Repairer contracts across the UK network. The following is our statement in response to the Autocar article to more accurately clarify our position. “Hangar 111 would...

www.hangar111.com

Thanks for the clarification. Do we know if any of this restructuring is taking place in the United States or is it only happening in the UK?

 

[TomE]

It's part of a revised global retail strategy, announced in April, so I assume the US dealers are also being asked to sign up to that too.

DRIVING TOMORROW - Lotus reveals more of its future than ever before in global digital conference - Lotus Cars Media Site

media.lotuscars.com

It may not be implemented in the same way as in the UK. UK selling/servicing dealers and approved servicers were told their existing contracts would be coming to an end and new contracts would be put in place. Some chose not to and Lotus decided not to offer new contracts to some, including most of the service-only companies.

The new retail identity was kicked off in Bahrain in July: https://media.lotuscars.com/en/news...al-retail-identity-now-open-for-business.html

It would be sensible for this to be linked with the Emira coming into production, hence the timing. In the UK Lotus asked for deposits to be lodged centrally, which now looks like it was connected to this happening. In the US the deposits are being taken by dealers direct, which perhaps gives us a clue...