U.S. Update: Allocation & Order Date

[VL3X]

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.

First group cars should be delivered in October, second in November, and third in December...

Fingers crossed. But if these last couple years have taught me anything...

I heard a little rumor UK deliveries have already been delayed.

 

[SlavaUkraini]

First group cars should be delivered in October, second in November, and third in December...

Fingers crossed. But if these last couple years have taught me anything...

I heard a little rumor UK deliveries have already been delayed.

I hope that's not seat related.... They've had almost, what, 8 months now to figure out a replacement? Either get it sorted or sign off on it.

 

[Magma]

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.

I didn't even try to contest it. Was just mad at myself more than anything.

 

[SlavaUkraini]

I didn't even try to contest it. Was just mad at myself more than anything.

Honestly, it’s more a reflection on the dealer than anything else. Lost your business forever for peanuts in the big picture.

Edit: Peanuts for them. What a short sighted approach.

 

[Magma]

Honestly, it’s more a reflection on the dealer than anything else. Lost your business forever for peanuts in the big picture.

Edit: Peanuts for them. What a short sighted approach.

It is quite odd to have a non-refundable deposit on an order in which they essentially ended up taking an already allocated car and upgraded the bejeesus out of it to the highest model with lots of options. In this market, you'd think they'd be happy to have the car on the lot to sell.

Another thing is the car was supposed to be here in January and I have yet to see them list it for sale. It's like it never arrived! Or they sold it even before it hit the lot. But anyway... Lol

 

[mjw930]

My Porsche dealer requires $10k deposits when they use an allocation slot to build a high spec or odd spec car because regardless the situation something like a Boxster S with $50,000 of options and/or paint to sample is hard to sell. However, if a customer backs out once the order goes in and remains calm and reasonable they will refund them the down payment (It’s a down payment once an order with Porsche is accepted for production) when the car actually sells. If they have to discount it to sell it the refund is minus the discount. If it sits on the lot more then 30 days the original buyer may be asked to cover floor plan expenses too.

But in the end they try to do the right thing. Sadly they are the exception, not the rule but they are also one of the reasons I rarely shop outside the Porsche brand for high end cars.

 

[DQ13]

Hey all!

Just received this email earlier today and was wondering how long ago some of you all may have received this? It makes it seem like I have hopes of configurating a car in the coming months or so, but I don’t want to get too excited.

thanks for any info!

 

[EspritGuy]

Hey all!

Just received this email earlier today and was wondering how long ago some of you all may have received this? It makes it seem like I have hopes of configurating a car in the coming months or so, but I don’t want to get too excited.

thanks for any info!

It looks like the Lotus deposit confirmation note we all received;
suitable for framing.
Start a file.
You are in line with your dealer for a build order based on their allocations from Lotus.
Meanwhile, enjoy all this Forum has to offer.

 

[TXEMIRA]

My Calendar of Events so far:

7/6 - Initial Deposit
9/3 - One Step Closer to Emira email from Lotus USA
11/17 - Road Show Event
3/3 - Allocation Assigned
3/8 - Deposit Paid
3/9 - Lotus USA Order Accepted
3/12 - Order Revision
3/15 - Lotus USA Order Revision Accepted
3/20 - Order Final... No more revisions allowed.

March Orders = September Production

Is “September Production” an assumed “October Delivery” or do we not know that quite yet/accurately?

Asking #ForAFriend

 

[Porter]

Is “September Production” an assumed “October Delivery” or do we not know that quite yet/accurately?

Asking #ForAFriend

It's likely more of a gap than that. I would guess September production might deliver in November or December? Difficult to say without knowing what their North American cargo frequency will be. The cargo ship is the bottleneck in this process.

 

[NicolasB]

Is “September Production” an assumed “October Delivery” or do we not know that quite yet/accurately?

Asking #ForAFriend

I was told they would arrive November by the time they ride the ship over and then get trucked to the dealers.

 

[mjw930]

Being a new model I worry there will be port holds until CARB certification happens. This happens quite a bit in the Porsche world.

Yep, as recently as 2020 all US 2021 992’s were held in port jail until certification was granted. Some showed up at the port in September 2020 but didn’t leave the port until early December 2020.

 

[Porter]

Being a new model I worry there will be port holds until CARB certification happens. This happens quite a bit in the Porsche world.

CARB is California-only. I could see it for EPA certification or some other US federal process though.

 

[mjw930]

CARB is California-only. I could see it for EPA certification or some other US federal process though.

No, it’s not. 14 other states and DC require CARB certification. Since the cars are classified as 50 state compliant they can’t leave the port until both certifications are registered. The CARB certification is tied to EPA, it confusing and unnecessarily complex but it is what it is. The delays aren’t really caused by the actual testing, it’s clerical bureaucracy that delays things. Considering the power train is a carry over the entire process is much easier and Lotus is no newcomer to the process so I doubt there will be any issues with the V6 cars.

You can track it here: https://dis.epa.gov/otaqpub/
Select
Documents: All,
Industry: Light Duty…
Manufacturer: Lotus
Model Year: 2023 (2021 is the newest docs for Lotus today)

 

[Porter]

No, it’s not. 14 other states and DC require CARB certification. Since the cars are classified as 50 state compliant they can’t leave the port until both certifications are registered. The CARB certification is tied to EPA, it confusing and unnecessarily complex but it is what it is. The delays aren’t really caused by the actual testing, it’s clerical bureaucracy that delays things. Considering the power train is a carry over the entire process is much easier and Lotus is no newcomer to the process so I doubt there will be any issues with the V6 cars.

You can track it here: https://dis.epa.gov/otaqpub/
Select
Documents: All,
Industry: Light Duty…
Manufacturer: Lotus
Model Year: 2023 (2021 is the newest docs for Lotus today)

I know I'm being pedantic, but to be specific... they do not require CARB certification. I get that people use that as a shorthand, but the term really irritates a great many people outside of California for a number of good reasons. Each of the states that you're referring to require new vehicle emissions certification that conforms with the Clean Air Act, specifically 42 USC §7507 and §7543. Those regulations are currently aligned with California's CARB, but it's not intended to continue to be. We are in a transition period.

The US government realized that California had created a really untenable trade controls situation by trying to strongarm manufacturers into complying with their state emissions rules above and beyond the US gov't regulatory authority, and impose those California rules on other states without their consent. That's not within the scope of California's limited sovereignty. So the Clean Air Act was revised (I believe in 2010) to specifically disallow states from passing their own arbitrary vehicle emissions requirements (see §7543(a): Prohibition), and the EPA is issuing waivers as described in §7543(b) for each state for each model year, allowing them to align their own regulations first with California and then with new EPA-led regulations which will replace them. When 50-state harmonization is achieved the waivers will stop and California (along with all other states) will be legally disallowed from issuing emissions standards for vehicles at all. 14 states are currently compliant and a bunch more will become so in the next 2 years.

 

[Arsalan]

Spoke to my dealership today and got the confirmation that LOTUS has accepted my order for production for September. This is going to be long six months!

 

[Climber]

Spoke to my dealership today and got the confirmation that LOTUS has accepted my order for production for September. This is going to be long six months

 

[Climber]

I’m in shock just spoke with my dealer I’m putting in my order next month!! It arrives in November! What a birthday thanksgiving/ Christmas present!
Wow now I have to decide
Need to pick??
Magma red with Tan or Icy leather
Nimbus grey with tan or red leather

Decided
Brakes yellow with red car or red with nimbus grey.
Lower black pack.
Sport suspension
6 speed

 

[Climber]

I’m in shock just spoke with my dealer I’m putting in my order next month!! It arrives in November! What a birthday thanksgiving/ Christmas present!
Wow now I have to decide
Need to pick??
Magma red with Tan or Icy leather
Nimbus grey with tan or red leather

Decided
Brakes yellow with red car or red with nimbus grey.
Lower black pack.
Sport suspension
6 speed

Please vote!!

 

[Arsalan]

Congratulations! this will be very exciting. you cant go wrong with either specs you mentioned.