U.S. Update: Allocation & Order Date

[NicolasB]

How bad is it that most of us can actually translate those acronyms without much difficulty? We're obsessed!!!

Considering I've clocked ~5k/yr on my daily driver these past few, I'll be lucky to get 2k on the Emira! Hopefully a lot of that will be on the track though!!

Yes, it's a new language Break him of the engine will suck trying to go easy for 600 miles

 

[Pegasi]

So the I4 FE is now available on the US configurator. I believe it was said that North America will get 700 FE models. From the discussion I didn't think 700 included I4 FE. Can someone clarify this and if 700 doesn't include the I4 FE, does anyone know how many I4 FEs have been promised to North America?

 

[Eagle7]

I don't think that number has been given, but by the time i4 FE's are in production, Lotus will have a full year of production experience with this new facility under their belt, and at least 2 if not 3 crews trained and working. I'm expecting they'll be able to produce a LOT more FE's for the i4 than the V6, and especially since the i4 model is $8k cheaper.

 

[TXEMIRA]

There was a post recently about 3/20/2022 being an important day (though a Sunday). Anyone experience any new info or communication from their dealer or Lotus direct this weekend?

#ForTheNervous

 

[JKP]

There was a post recently about 3/20/2022 being an important day (though a Sunday). Anyone experience any new info or communication from their dealer or Lotus direct this weekend?

#ForTheNervous

Not sure if this is the reason, but I placed my order last week and the dealer told me that today 3/20/2022 was the last day that they could submit changes to Lotus so if I wanted to change my spec, I needed to do so by today. This said, I think they are closed today so not sure why they picked a Sunday to do so.

 

[TXEMIRA]

This! The 20th Business Day is the deadline for every allocation month... just happens the first one is on a Sunday... So actual deadline was EOD Friday, Lotus USA business close.

Makes sense. Anyone have an example of an email from Lotus showing “confirmation” and/or any knowledge of another deposit? (I’ve only done 1 deposit, the initial, $2,500.

Thanks!

 

[mjw930]

I posted this in the PNW regional section:

Hello from the PNW USA

I wanted the chrome badges and titanium tailpipe finishers so skipped the upper black pack. Can wrap the roof later if I’m really keen.

www.emiraforum.com

I have submitted my final deposit… $10k with total deposits being $15k.

received Lotus USA confirmation and my spec confirmed/listed.

Well that’s interesting. I have a signed document that states when my number comes up no additional deposit is required but my refundable deposit becomes non-refundable. I don’t understand the need to put even more money down to order the car. The only time that makes sense is when someone is ordering a combination of options that the dealer knows is difficult to sell, which can’t really happen until bespoke ordering starts.

Or at a minimum stay consistent with what the factory is doing in the UK.

 

[mjw930]

I have zero problem with the deposit. Its there way of weeding out the people on the fence I guess.

I don’t either but do you really think someone’s going to walk away from $2500, aka still be on the fence, when the dealer tells them they are locked in?

And actually the smart dealers don’t play that game on hot cars. They know that they make an extra $2500 AND can add an ADM if the buyer walks. That same smart dealer hopes some fools walk after they have passed the Lotus allocation and assignment gauntlet. They just walk down their list of reservation holders and say, you can have the car today for an additional $xxxx. They will move the car in a day.

 

[Cwolf]

Order completed Tuesday at Lotus of North Jersey... hopeful for a September build and October delivery. V6/MT, Dark Verdant, lower black pack only, black wheels, black calipers, black leather, touring and tint. The second guessing is over... now I impatiently wait...

Mine is exact same except for yellow calipers and tan/black leather.

 

[Magma]

I have zero problem with the deposit. Its there way of weeding out the people on the fence I guess.

It's the dealers' way of potentially getting $15k if you change your mind. It's honestly pretty crappy and clearly not standard practice required by Lotus if some dealers are requiring second deposits and some aren't.

 

[VL3X]

It's the dealers' way of potentially getting $15k if you change your mind. It's honestly pretty crappy and clearly not standard practice required by Lotus if some dealers are requiring second deposits and some aren't.

Each State has different laws about vehicle deposits being refundable or not. Most states will allow you to get out with your deposit refunded until you actually take delivery.

 

[Magma]

Each State has different laws about vehicle deposits being refundable or not. Most states will allow you to get out with your deposit refunded until you actually take delivery.

OK...still a way for dealer's to make money for essentially nothing.
I clearly must live in a state that allows dealers to keep deposits. Jag dealer got to keep my $5k deposit when I didn't go forward with the F-type I ordered.

 

[SloAlfa]

OK...still a way for dealer's to make money for essentially nothing.
I clearly must live in a state that allows dealers to keep deposits. Jag dealer got to keep my $5k deposit when I didn't go forward with the F-type I ordered.

Put it on a cc or amx. They will refund you for no services or product received. I always put mine in amx, no questions asked chargeback to dealer.

 

[Magma]

Put it on a cc or amx. They will refund you for no services or product received. I always put mine in amx, no questions asked chargeback to dealer.

Well, unfortunately it was in the contract I signed...long story and I take the blame for my part as I ASSumed it would be refundable (as all deposits should be).
Salesguy never mentioned it wouldn't be refundable. Not once. I saw the line after I signed. Usually I'm way more careful than that.
Live and learn...

 

[mjw930]

Actually it’s more nuanced that what’s being reported here.

When you provide a deposit to secure a reservation that’s typically fully refundable as there is no purchase contract because there’s nothing to buy. That means those dealers who call the deposit non refundable but have not produced a binding sales contract don’t really have a leg to stand on. If they claim you signed a sales contract and provided a down payment any decent lawyer can they that thrown out since without an assigned allocation and confirmation by the supplier, Lotus they have misrepresented their ability to fulfill their contractual obligation. In essence they never had anything to sell.

However, when an allocation is available and lotus has confirmed the order you now have something a contract can reference and the deposit is turned into a down payment. At this point it becomes non refundable because you have entered into a contract to purchase. The only way you can legally get your money back is if the dealer fails to deliver the goods or services contracted for. If the dealer is smart the contract will have very open delivery commitments keeping them isolated from Lotus induced delivery delays. You deciding you don’t want it anymore is breach of contract so you don’t get your money back.

 

[Eagle7]

There's another issue in that when you order a car, the dealer has to buy the car from the manufacturer at wholesale, then resell it to you at MSRP or whatever deal you worked out. If you back out without taking delivery, the dealer is on the hook for the car. Now they have to hope they can sell it without it sitting on their lot a long time. That's the normal situation, but in the case of the Emira, a dealer will be able to sell any Emira they can get their hands on, but that isn't always the case depending on what vehicle you ordered.

 

[Magma]

Actually it’s more nuanced that what’s being reported here.

When you provide a deposit to secure a reservation that’s typically fully refundable as there is no purchase contract because there’s nothing to buy. That means those dealers who call the deposit non refundable but have not produced a binding sales contract don’t really have a leg to stand on. If they claim you signed a sales contract and provided a down payment any decent lawyer can they that thrown out since without an assigned allocation and confirmation by the supplier, Lotus they have misrepresented their ability to fulfill their contractual obligation. In essence they never had anything to sell.

However, when an allocation is available and lotus has confirmed the order you now have something a contract can reference and the deposit is turned into a down payment. At this point it becomes non refundable because you have entered into a contract to purchase. The only way you can legally get your money back is if the dealer fails to deliver the goods or services contracted for. If the dealer is smart the contract will have very open delivery commitments keeping them isolated from Lotus induced delivery delays. You deciding you don’t want it anymore is breach of contract so you don’t get your money back.

Hmmm...I definitely had not signed a purchase contract. Sounds like I should have pushed harder to get that back.

 

[Arsalan]

I am still waiting for my dealer (Hi Tech Austin) to call me for my final order. This anxiety is killing me

 

[Eagle7]

I am still waiting for my dealer (Hi Tech Austin) to call me for my final order. This anxiety is killing me

Depending on which group you're in (if you are in an eligible FE group), the first order group was March 1-20, the second will be April 1-20, and the third will be May 1-20. First group cars should be delivered in October, second in November, and third in December.

 

[mjw930]

Hmmm...I definitely had not signed a purchase contract. Sounds like I should have pushed harder to get that back.

It’s also down to state law, I know Florida law and even then you need to weigh the cost of fighting with the return. Dealers count on you not hiring a lawyer but many people don’t understand the small claims court process so the dealer ultimately wins. In WA it may be a different story and as simple as the words non-refundable meaning exactly what they say with the law as well.