U.S. Update: Allocation & Order Date

[TomE]

From what I’ve heard, the supply issues affected initial V6 FE cars aren’t electronics. It’s various ancillary items that are needed to finish the cars. Things like sun visors and exhaust finishers. Hence why they could get the LDA cars out with alternatives or missing items.

Beyond the first 1-2 months of production it’s much less clear where the supply issues are. And it’s changing every week. New lockdowns in Asia recently. And now Germany suggesting some energy-Intensive industries might have to scale down or stop to protect essential energy supplies over the winter. That could stop their aluminium processing and knock on to downstream users of aluminium.

 

[Balboa]

Yup, got the same email today from Lotus of Orlando. Kudos to them for initiating the comms.

A little late dont you think? That video from.Matt came out a WHILE ago

 

[Nova]

It makes perfect sense. the GBP is down 15% from last year to the USD - do the Math - unfortunately, the USD is crushing almost every other currency right now and it seems it will continue for a while...!

Doesn't that mean it's financially advantageous to earn the dollars from US buyers/dealers since that money is now worth more?

 

[Leonard]

Doesn't that mean it's financially advantageous to earn the dollars from US buyers/dealers since that money is now worth more?

It's easy to forget/put aside a sales territory from accross the Atlantic they don't really care about, if it eases the current burden.
They haven't got the basics down to be a UK D2C company, yet alone a global one.

 

[NWFL]

It's easy to forget/put aside a sales territory from accross the Atlantic they don't really care about, if it eases the current burden.
They haven't got the basics down to be a UK D2C company, yet alone a global one.

FWIW, USA is Lotus largest and most important market and with the forthcoming Emira the potential is more than Huge!...Heck, I might even give up my 718 once I get my Emira i4.

 

[VL3X]

I've been in contact with someone higher up in Lotus and received some reassuring information this morning regarding the US market. Please know that I don't mean to be cryptic or secretive in any way. I simply want to respect this person's privacy while also sharing this bit of info:

With regards to your point around US depositors not being prioritised I can absolutely assure you that is not the case. Homologation for the US market is complex and takes longer than most other markets, that is what dictates timing of first deliveries its not Lotus deciding which market we want to send cars to first. The US market is a very significant opportunity for us and I hope to make it over there next year with the Evija and another special project we are working on that I cannot tell you about yet……

 

[kitkat]

I've been in contact with someone higher up in Lotus and received some reassuring information this morning regarding the US market. Please know that I don't mean to be cryptic or secretive in any way. I simply want to respect this person's privacy while also sharing this bit of info:

Lotus pickup truck confirmed.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I have written before about the non-existent Lotus USA. For a market as large as the US/CAN it is odd that Lotus HQ did not revamp this well in advance of the Emira reveal. This isn't about homologation, it's about Customer Service / Comms and being able to serve the customers better.

I have never seen Lotus very active in the car enthusiast world in the US. Heck, Radford does a better job of promoting for Lotus than Lotus does.

 

[Leonard]

I've been in contact with someone higher up in Lotus and received some reassuring information this morning regarding the US market. Please know that I don't mean to be cryptic or secretive in any way. I simply want to respect this person's privacy while also sharing this bit of info:

By by indie Lotus Dealers....
?

 

[EspritGuy]

I've been in contact with someone higher up in Lotus and received some reassuring information this morning regarding the US market. Please know that I don't mean to be cryptic or secretive in any way. I simply want to respect this person's privacy while also sharing this bit of info:

I scratch my head in wonder each time I read/see this (US market importance).
Lotus Sales/US had to beg to get the 700 allocation.
After that was consumed by October 1st (if not September) FE orders continued well into 1st quarter and beyond in UK and EU.
Please convince me how wrong I might be.

 

[VL3X]

My dealer called me today... Said they're having a zoom meeting with Lotus this week to get status updates and he'll call me immediately after.

 

[kitkat]

Your dealers talk to you? Lucky.

 

[ND2021]

I had an email from dealer that they expected their first batch of v6 in November with a demo. I4 still winter 23. That was two weeks ago....

 

[kitkat]

Just heard back from my dealer. The meeting was delayed from last Friday to tomorrow. Sounds like it might be the same zoom meeting for all USA dealers?

Need to Zoombomb!

 

[ksegg]

Received this today

Dear David,

Greetings from Lotus Orlando to our priority Emira depositors.

As many of you have heard or seen online, a video from Lotus Cars Managing Director, Matt Windle, discussed supply chain and parts avaibility challenges for the production of your new Emira. We are aware of these considerations and are in constant contact with the team at Lotus Cars USA as to how this impacts the availability and timing of your new Emira. We are just as excited as you are to have these cars in our community and we cannot wait to share them with you and be the Lotus hub in our wonderful community.

As an Emira depositor, you'll be the first one to know additional details as the situation becomes clear.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding. The Emira will certainly be worth the wait.

Regards, Lotus Orlando

That's actually pretty thoughtful of your dealer. I am usually the one that has to call my dealer to give them updates.

 

[TomE]

Just heard back from my dealer. The meeting was delayed from last Friday to tomorrow. Sounds like it might be the same zoom meeting for all USA dealers?

Sounds likely. The EU dealers had a Zoom call end of last week.

 

[TomE]

I think it was “soon”

Some of them have more info on timing of their demo cars (mostly in Sept). Some also know their first few customer cars will be delivered at the same time as the demos, typically only 1-3 cars.

 

[VL3X]

Just heard back from my dealer. The meeting was delayed from last Friday to tomorrow. Sounds like it might be the same zoom meeting for all USA dealers?

Sounds right to me. The way the GM of my dealer made it sound was that this was a big meeting with all the US dealers and Lotus.

We need to find this zoom link. I wonder if CS would believe I'm an employee who lost the email invite.

 

[Leonard]

Sounds right to me. The way the GM of my dealer made it sound was that this was a big meeting with all the US dealers and Lotus.

We need to find this zoom link. I wonder if CS would believe I'm an employee who lost the email invite.

You could wear a disguise to fit in?

NB TOTAL joke as I'm not that cruel. Sorry Lotus.

 

[GatorMotorsport]

Just to confirm: Lotus Cars USA is having an online meeting with the dealer network early tomorrow afternoon. The meeting has been described as an "Emira Production Update". We will send out a communication updating all of our deposit holders after the meeting. Fingers crossed for good news!