U.S. Update: Allocation & Order Date

[GatorMotorsport]

Ok, the way things normally work, or used to, is every year Lotus would look at the sales performance of each of their dealers, and allocate cars based on that performance. HOWEVER, this was before every Lotus dealer was taking deposits on the hottest car Lotus has ever rolled out. Before the Emira, dealers that normally sell 2 cars a month were only getting 2 a month because that's all they were likely to sell. Dealers that typically sold 2 a week were getting 8 a month because that's what they were moving. The dealers were the ones ordering these cars for their inventory.

The Emira has changed all that. Every dealer now has a backlog of actual money deposits that are greater than any amount they've ever sold in a year. And that total exceeds the number of cars Lotus is going to be able to send to North America, so that makes allocations different than normal.

As is generally true with all brand dealerships, typically the top 20% of their dealers sell 80% of the total sales, so they get the lion's share of allotments each year. However that's based on the normal business model of dealerships ordering cars on their account as inventory cars to put on their lots. Every Emira Lotus is going to produce this year is accounted for by an actual customer deposit, not a dealer order, which is pretty much unprecedented for Lotus and their dealer network. This makes it a direct customer experience, rather than a dealer business-as-usual experience. This is going to be frustrating for everybody, including Lotus, because the demand right now exceeds production capacity. So far, it looks like the normally low performance dealers are getting less than 10 each, while the high performance dealers are still getting dozens, just not as many dozens as they would like.

Another factor in the mix is we don't know which model all those deposits are for, which also affects where you are in the queue if you have a deposit with a dealer. Lotus has stated they will build as many FE V6 cars (manual or auto) as they get orders for, AS LONG AS the orders are in by the end of March. They may not be able to deliver all of them this year, some may be delivered next year, but you will get your FE at the price you ordered it at. HOWEVER, if I read it right, the end of March is the cutoff date for actually being able to order a V6 FE. After March, you can still order a car, but it will have to be a base model, and you can add the options you want, paying for them individually the way you normally would when ordering a car.

SO... the good news is, if you want an FE, you can get one as long as you get your order in by the end of March. It won't matter if the dealer you order with doesn't have any more allocations for this year's production run. You'll get your FE in next year's production run. They're working on adding a second shift, and once they get things underway, they'll undoubtedly figure out ways to improve the efficiency so they can produce more cars. Matt has said they can actually do 3 shifts if absolutely necessary, so it may come to that. They don't want to over-produce, but I have a feeling this car is going to be lightning in a bottle once the general public sees them. You can also simply not order an FE right now, and put your deposit in for a base model plus whatever options you want. Those will be made too, but those also won't be delivered until next year. So it isn't a matter of if you can get a car, it's a matter of when.

While this may be the policy for the UK and parts of Europe, it is not the case for North America. North America has received a limited number of allocations for First Edition V6 Emira, with just shy of 90% of those being allocated to the United States. These allocations have already been distributed to the dealer network via a monthly ordering/production calendar. We have confirmed with Lotus Cars USA that (at this moment in time) North America will not receive any more allocations for First Edition V6 Emira other than what has already been distributed. However, please note that there will be a First Edition AMG I4 Emira to introduce that drivetrain to market and production for the 'Base' V6 Emira is expected to immediately follow production end of the First Edition V6 Emira. Dealers in the U.S. should receive their allocations for 'Base' V6 Emira in June of this year. Hopefully that helps provide some clarification for everyone.

- Tony P.

 

[Eagle7]

While this may be the policy for the UK and parts of Europe, it is not the case for North America. North America has received a limited number of allocations for First Edition V6 Emira, with just shy of 90% of those being allocated to the United States. These allocations have already been distributed to the dealer network via a monthly ordering/production calendar. We have confirmed with Lotus Cars USA that (at this moment in time) North America will not receive any more allocations for First Edition V6 Emira other than what has already been distributed. However, please note that there will be a First Edition AMG I4 Emira to introduce that drivetrain to market and production for the 'Base' V6 Emira is expected to immediately follow production end of the First Edition V6 Emira. Dealers in the U.S. should receive their allocations for 'Base' V6 Emira in June of this year. Hopefully that helps provide some clarification for everyone.

- Tony P.

I'm waiting for clarification from Lotus on this, as their statement with regards to V6 FE production did not say it was limited to the U.K. or Europe.

 

[jmn444]

While this may be the policy for the UK and parts of Europe, it is not the case for North America. North America has received a limited number of allocations for First Edition V6 Emira, with just shy of 90% of those being allocated to the United States. These allocations have already been distributed to the dealer network via a monthly ordering/production calendar. We have confirmed with Lotus Cars USA that (at this moment in time) North America will not receive any more allocations for First Edition V6 Emira other than what has already been distributed. However, please note that there will be a First Edition AMG I4 Emira to introduce that drivetrain to market and production for the 'Base' V6 Emira is expected to immediately follow production end of the First Edition V6 Emira. Dealers in the U.S. should receive their allocations for 'Base' V6 Emira in June of this year. Hopefully that helps provide some clarification for everyone.

- Tony P.

Thanks Tony! as a follow up, have you been told what to expect for 2023 allocations and when the order window will open/start for those base models?

 

[Porter]

While this may be the policy for the UK and parts of Europe, it is not the case for North America. North America has received a limited number of allocations for First Edition V6 Emira, with just shy of 90% of those being allocated to the United States. These allocations have already been distributed to the dealer network via a monthly ordering/production calendar. We have confirmed with Lotus Cars USA that (at this moment in time) North America will not receive any more allocations for First Edition V6 Emira other than what has already been distributed. However, please note that there will be a First Edition AMG I4 Emira to introduce that drivetrain to market and production for the 'Base' V6 Emira is expected to immediately follow production end of the First Edition V6 Emira. Dealers in the U.S. should receive their allocations for 'Base' V6 Emira in June of this year. Hopefully that helps provide some clarification for everyone.

- Tony P.

Hi Tony, thanks very much for the info. Appreciate your participation here.

Do you know what the breakpoint will be between MY23 vs MY24, and will currently published MY23 pricing be honored for existing deposits?

Thanks!

 

[Nova]

Edit: Nevermind! I see the post from Gator Motorsports.

If someone can point me to the part where Lotus indicated that only 700 V6 FEs are going to be produced for the US market - and no more after that, I'd greatly appreciate it.

It doesn't matter much to me what flavor my Lotus end up being, just curious.

 

[p.rob]

@Eagle7 I have no idea where you're getting your information from, but it's wrong. I'm sorry I don't have the time right now to go line-by-line...

Just in general, reading this thread, it seems people are just speaking into an echo chamber. The information has already been announced, we just keep hoping that it may be wrong, since it doesn't match our desires.

There will be 700 First Edition cars (V6) brought to North America, allocations are already sent to dealers. If you're lucky enough to be within their allocation window (or someone ahead of you cancels dropping you down), you'll have an opportunity to buy the V6 FE. If not, you maintain your place in line for I4 FE or base model.

Don't overthink it people, Lotus doesn't have much in the form of communication, but there's also not much to communicate. Everything has already been stated, we just keep wishing there were more.

my thoughts exactly. Sounds like people who have missed the train keep hoping to find a ticket in...

 

[jmn444]

my thoughts exactly. Sounds like people who have missed the train keep hoping to find a ticket in...

Yeah, it seemed "odd" to say the least when there was talk of the FE being unlimited in numbers, what is currently being shared seems far more logical even though it sucks for anyone that really wanted an FE.

I have a feeling that Lotus stated something like anyone that orders by march of '22 gets one, and somehow that turned into anyone that puts in a deposit by march of '22 gets one. Disconnect between allocated orders vs dealer deposits.

Oh well... I'm just hoping for a delivery by April or May of '23, but realistically I have no other cars I truly want anyway, so it just is whatever it is at this point. Bright side is seeing colors on cars before spec'ing a car, and having more color options too... Down side is probably a bit higher cost overall.

 

[LotusB]

Edit: Nevermind! I see the post from Gator Motorsports.

If someone can point me to the part where Lotus indicated that only 700 V6 FEs are going to be produced for the US market - and no more after that, I'd greatly appreciate it.

It doesn't matter much to me what flavor my Lotus end up being, just curious.

Lotus announced 1,500 V6 FE's world-wide and 500 headed to North America at launch. After the overwhelming reception they increased the total numbers to a little over 2,000 world-wide. 700 of these cars are headed to North America. This information was only provided to dealers and depending on your dealer they may or may not overshare. For the most part it doesn't impact things on the whole; it's an increase of about 4-cars per dealer and each dealer is keeping a demo car anyway.

Also big thank you to @GatorMotorsport for coming here and nipping a lot of the misinformation in the bud.

Hopefully this reduces speculation and puts things in perspective.

 

[Psb1816]

Come on, nobody kicked you anywhere. A huge number of us put in paid deposits all the way back in June/July of last year. If you weren't in that group, then you probably aren't getting a car until the next model year. It's reasonable.

okay there super sport guy. my deposit was in july. some have slang. your holier than though approach is appreciated though.

 

[GatorMotorsport]

Thanks Tony! as a follow up, have you been told what to expect for 2023 allocations and when the order window will open/start for those base models?

We're expecting V6 Base model allocations around June of this year with orders starting shortly after.

What will be the breakpoint between MY23 vs MY24, and will currently published MY23 pricing be honored for existing deposits?

We do not have confirmation on the production year breakdown - I will reach out to find out. The released pricing from Lotus for the First Edition V6 is honored for all our deposit holders with no additional dealer fees or mark ups. We do not have pricing for the Base V6 Emira yet.

 

[TXEMIRA]

Just odd to not have a real Lotus communication that says “Limited to 700” being shared with the X,XXX depositors.

I could buy into the fact that they may not yet know how many i4’s they’ll be able to produce though… I guess they wouldn’t want folks to completely back out.

So this means there will likely be a limited edition in i4 as well…

Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear from Lotus “Limited Edition of 700 FE V6 and x,xxx FE i4 for North America”?

 

[NicolasB]

Just got off phone with my dealer in Western NY and wondering why I waited until September 15th to get my deposit in, when I first watched videos about the car on July 8th...

He said he was told he is getting 8 or 9 of the FE cars, but I am like 15 or 16 on the list . He did however say he may be able to get 15 build slots, so he wasn't exactly sure. I am fingers-crossed people drop off or something changes. He expects delivery around November/December with the builds being decided on around March.

#Forthe waiters

 

[Porter]

okay there super sport guy. my deposit was in july. some have slang. your holier than though approach is appreciated though.

Whoa man, I think you're misunderstanding what I said. I certainly misunderstood you as well the first time around, based on your comments I thought you were a later depositor. If you put in a deposit in good faith last July and your dealer is telling you that you missed the window, I fully understand why you'd be irritated.

FYI I don't think it's a case of small dealers getting an undue number of extra allocation or anything, maybe that's something your dealer mentioned in order to soften the blow.

 

[GatorMotorsport]

Just odd to not have a real Lotus communication that says “Limited to 700” being shared with the X,XXX depositors.

I could buy into the fact that they may not yet know how many i4’s they’ll be able to produce though… I guess they wouldn’t want folks to completely back out.

So this means there will likely be a limited edition in i4 as well…

Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear from Lotus “Limited Edition of 700 FE V6 and x,xxx FE i4 for North America”?

I asked for confirmation on the number of FE V6 cars and received confirmation from our Regional Sales Manager with the following : "That is the correct, the 700 cars allocated will be the only FE units for North America. Orders will start being submitted in March for September production. The order slots are staggered between March-June depending on how many slots you have that month."

 

[p.rob]

Whoa man, I think you're misunderstanding what I said. I certainly misunderstood you as well the first time around, based on your comments I thought you were a later depositor. If you put in a deposit in good faith last July and your dealer is telling you that you missed the window, I fully understand why you'd be irritated.

FYI I don't think it's a case of small dealers getting an undue number of extra allocation or anything, maybe that's something your dealer mentioned in order to soften the blow.

End of july was late to the game at most dealers I think. I know my local dealer had 40 deposits within a week of the announcement of the Emira. That dealer only gets 20 V6 FE allocations, so I imagin it's the same all around north america

 

[Maverick1]

Guys, instead of worrying, freaking out, getting upset with things completely out of your control, probably best for your well being, is to just chill and let Lotus get busy manufacturing the Emira.
Maybe they will surprise all of us with a second shift and get us our cars early.
All this complaining and redrick is pointless.

 

[TXEMIRA]

I asked for confirmation on the number of FE V6 cars and received confirmation from our Regional Sales Manager with the following : "That is the correct, the 700 cars allocated will be the only FE units for North America. Orders will start being submitted in March for September production. The order slots are staggered between March-June depending on how many slots you have that month."

Thank you! Sounds like folks are tripping over “deposit” vs “order” thinking they’re one in the same.

Appreciate your involvement on this Forum @GatorMotorsport! Thank you.

 

[TXEMIRA]

For the US, if there are just 700 V6 FE allocated to North America, with a large percentage to the US, and you don’t get in the V6 FE build allocation, then there are just a few options.

1. Hope someone ahead at that dealer cancels.
2. Buy a flipped V6 FE.
3. See what the i4 FE numbers look like and switch to that.
4. Grab a Base V6 and configure all desired options.
5. Go grab that C8 (or another car).

Right? If there is a limited run these are the only choices, correct?

This is all within the waiting game of course. Just good to think it through.

I see what you’re saying @Maverick1 regarding the rhetoric for sure. Bunch of us on here just thinking out loud.

I’m hoping nothing I’ve said has been taken as factual. More questions than answers for me at this time for sure.

 

[JKP]

I just spoke to my Dealer in Las Vegas, they confirm having just received their allocation of 14 cars. I'm #4 (placed my deposit July 7) and was told to expect to complete the order in March, with delivery late in the year. Some of the 14 will be delivered EOY and some will likely spill into early next year, but they are unsure the cutoff. They claim that Lotus allocated cars based on a formula considering (a) # of EMIRA deposits received by the dealer (b) market potential (however that is defined) and (c) # of Evora GTs sold (although they didn't specify over what time period). Hope this helps.

 

[DPB]

It does seem that the picture is beginning to take shape regarding US FE allocations and ordering. For what it's worth, I too just spoke with my sales guy Daniel at Lotus Charlotte and received the following, which seems consistent with what others here have shared.

• Their FE allocation was 14 cars total. 13 are customer cars and one is a demo.
• They will submit their FE orders in batches of 4 per month, beginning in March, finishing in June.
• Each batch will have about a 6-month build time and 2-month delivery time, e.g. March order, September build complete, November delivery to dealer/customer.
• They expect to receive their next allocation of Base (non FE) models around June and will then resume going down the deposit list.
• Pricing on Base model and options is expected in Spring (within the next few months)

I didn't make the FE cut (barring quite a few FE drop-outs), but Daniel expects to contact me in a few months to go over the updated Base options, pricing and then again sometime in August to place the order for my Base model configuration. Given the 8-month lead time that gets me behind the wheel sometime in the Spring of '23. This is pretty much what I expected and what he had initially estimated when I placed my deposit, so I have nothing to complain about.

I have been very pleased with the straightforward, no-BS approach and communication from Lotus Charlotte. I guess I have another year of so to add to my piggy bank and to live vicariously through all you lucky folks who will be zipping around in your shiny Emiras this Summer/Fall.