UK deposit to order checkout to delivery process

[Mistral]

I find their attitude ingratiating and frankly unprofessional. I do hope they are reading this forum as they are about to alienate so many Lotus fans and potentially new conquests review what they are buying into.

I had the feeling there was additional management structure in place, these corporate grey suited, pin label clones are the way this company will fail. No substance and indeed it smacks of Danny Bahar style of ownership all shop window and no substance. Let’s raid the finance pot and then piss off. The so called release of stupid videos of their corporate charter is just that. Get real Lotus - stop this charade.?

I'd mentioned before that Lawrence Stroll had increased his holding in Aston Martin over the summer to prevent Geely becoming the major shareholder. Apparently, this week, Stroll has increased his holding again to ensure retaining control, presumably after Geely made further moves. Aston Martin does have greater cachet in the wider world than Lotus and I do wonder whether Geely are in it for the long haul. Let's hope so.

 

[Leonard]

There are a lot of new middle and senior management hires at Lotus from across the industry. Many come for major manufacturers and take a corporate and volume manufacturing view of the world. That’s fine and brings some different perspectives on things like production and quality.

But there’s no connection with the heritage or the previous types of customers. I’m sure Geely are also highlighting the importance of transforming Lotus and widening the customer demographic, which is why a lot of these people have been hired.

This binary view of “legacy” customers bad and “new” demographic good is very short-sighted. I and several other “legacy” customers have cancelled Eletre orders already. But again, Lotus don’t care because we’re apparently not part of the future.

I'm not even sure they are interested in 'enthusiasts' anymore..
Very much a luxury brand now and wanting to attract that audience. Just look at their advertising

Did you ever let slip why they dropped "For the Drivers" from their advertising? I'm assuming for the above reasons and not wanting to isolate wealthy posers, but only surmising

If it makes you feel any better I couldn't put my deposit back to either i4 FE or Base without going to back of the queue. That was pre checkout email. Shame as we all had to make a lot of assumptions about the car early on and lock into a build. But vaguely understandable. Porsche happily let you swap a build slot to another model if available mind.

1st world problems though hey. I'm sure you will do what is right for you, despite the epic emotional journey.

And thatcwould be source and buy a GT430

 

[Tonyshepp]

On the test drive thread I mentioned I was waiting for more info from Lotus before making a decision about my car.

For context, I got my checkout email a few weeks ago and asked for extra time to make a decision so that I could do my test drive on 16 Dec. I'd not been able to book an earlier test drive due to the mass-mailing to all deposit holders and lack of priority for early build folks. Lotus agreed I could extend the checkout window.

I also asked about various scenarios that might arise after my test drive, including postponing my order (but staying V6 FE), making a spec change (for example if I wanted to change interior from leather to alcantara), or switching to V6 Base Edition or i4.

After my test drive I asked again about these scenarios and was told I could postpone and stay V6 FE, but they couldn't say what build date I'd then get in 2023. Similarly, a switch to V6 BE or i4 would put me into the relevant sub-queue and again build date would depend on scheduling to be done early next year, with V6 Base builds likely to start late 2023/early 2024. I was also told that a change of spec would result in my current build being re-allocated and getting re-scheduled into 2023. I was told if I went into a new sub-queue they were still trying to do things in deposit date order (right, I've heard that before!).

Availability of Base options pricing is also a factor in my decision, and timing for that is still "New Year" or late Q1 or maybe Q2.

I'd requested clarification on some of these points and today have been told:

• My car is built and at BCA awaiting delivery
• Any change will result in my order being cancelled, the car being reallocated and a new order created for the new spec. That order will be at the BACK of the V6 FE queue, which currently means H2-2024 delivery
• I can't postpone my order (for example to wait for Base info before deciding FE vs BE), and this counts as a cancellation and re-order, so again I would go to the back of the queue
• If I switch to V6 Base Edition (or i4) it also counts as a cancellation. The V6 BE order book is not open yet, so I can't place an order for one. Some previous depositors were able to select V6 BE as a preference and so are already in a sub-queue. When the Base Edition pricing and configurator are released, I would be able to place an order then, at the back of the V6 BE queue. Build is due to start late 2023 so that means a likely H1-2024 delivery

So it boils down to taking the car now at the spec I had to lock in 13 months ago or be treated as a cancellation (which also forfeits the previous undertaking on maintaining price) and wait until 2024.

At the moment I'm mulling over what to do but am disappointed at this entirely production-led approach.

I thought this info might be useful to other people in the meantime, as it appears once you get the Checkout email you basically have a choice of take the car or cancel.

This is exactly my predicament, I fancied dropping down to i4 fe my first choice, was swayed to v6 due to receiving the car earlier.

So in effect Lotus hold all the cards and If I change to I4 FE Im not protected from a price rise and was told I’d go to back of the I4 FE q.

 

[Leonard]

I find their attitude ingratiating and frankly unprofessional. I do hope they are reading this forum as they are about to alienate so many Lotus fans and potentially new conquests review what they are buying into.

I had the feeling there was additional management structure in place, these corporate grey suited, pin label clones are the way this company will fail. No substance and indeed it smacks of Danny Bahar style of ownership all shop window and no substance. Let’s raid the finance pot and then piss off. The so called release of stupid videos of their corporate charter is just that. Get real Lotus - stop this charade.?

Ironically there are some shocking 'Legacy' male senior managers in the car industry who think its still the year 2000.
And that is in an industry already renowned for being old school in its treatment of customers as something to be tolerated until they have handed over their hard earned cash.
Unfortunately this attitude stems from top down in regards to strategy.
The folk we speak to on a daily basis are normally amazingly enthusiastic, empathetic and helpful individuals, but don't have the tools or empowerment to actually make any positive change

 

[Toomanyloti]

I got the feeling we were not important very early on.

My oppo ordered a new Vogue yonks ago. Found out yesterday its arrived with the wrong colour interior. This was due to confusion when transferring details onto LR's system so a bit of customer ignorance and lack of care from dealer. He was gutted. Sales manager called him back and said come and look at it (so we are off shortly) and just take it. We'll order you what you want today then buy that one back no bother.....

How hard was that

 

[Leonard]

I got the feeling we were not important very early on.

My oppo ordered a new Vogue yonks ago. Found out yesterday its arrived with the wrong colour interior. This was due to confusion when transferring details onto LR's system so a bit of customer ignorance and lack of care from dealer. He was gutted. Sales manager called him back and said come and look at it (so we are off shortly) and just take it. We'll order you what you want today then buy that one back no bother.....

How hard was that

And just like that you are a brand ambassador for life

 

[Mctaff]

Exactly… they seem bent on doing the opposite here!

 

[Beady]

Come on Tom, week over , are you in are out ?
The QC concerns me particularly as Lotus made such a big point of their improvements.

 

[TomE]

Sorry, Lotus haven’t been able to confirm all the options on next steps yet. Decision is bumped into next week.

I explained in this post it appeared to be a choice between take the built car or be counted as a cancellation and have to re-order at the back of the queue for mid 2024 delivery. They are now looking at what options there are to delay into 2023.

You could infer from this that “delay” is my preferred outcome. Currently that’s not an option Lotus are offering, so take now and cancel are still on the cards.

There have been further QC issues reported this week (eg seatbelts). Reports of trouble-free weeks from some too.

 

[CDM1855]

Sorry, Lotus haven’t been able to confirm all the options on next steps yet. Decision is bumped into next week.

I explained in this post it appeared to be a choice between take the built car or be counted as a cancellation and have to re-order at the back of the queue for mid 2024 delivery. They are now looking at what options there are to delay into 2023.

You could infer from this that “delay” is my preferred outcome. Currently that’s not an option Lotus are offering, so take now and cancel are still on the cards.

There have been further QC issues reported this week (eg seatbelts). Reports of trouble-free weeks from some too.

Reports of trouble-free weeks from some too. ??

 

[Beady]

I explained in this post

Ah sorry I missed that. Tough choice yes.
Wish I kept my evora 400 !

 

[TomE]

Reports of trouble-free weeks from some too. ??

Yes, there are some. It’s the nature of internet car forums that people post about problems but less often about the miles of trouble-free and fun motoring.

In response to me posting my concerns on TLF, @rs200evo posted this:
“Well, just as a counter balance, I picked my car up from Hethel a few weeks ago,was an April 2021 depositor, drove it back to Scotland in sub zero temperatures and have been using it daily and not a single issue or concern to report. Love the car, it's everything I hoped it would be, and finally a Lotus that feels perfectly balanced in terms of usability, practicality and looks/performance. I know Lotus have been struggling with issues, but given everything they have faced, and the price point they have delivered at, I think they deserve some kudos overall.”

 

[CDM1855]

Yes, there are some. It’s the nature of internet car forums that people post about problems but less often about the miles of trouble-free and fun motoring.

In response to me posting my concerns on TLF, @rs200evo posted this:
“Well, just as a counter balance, I picked my car up from Hethel a few weeks ago,was an April 2021 depositor, drove it back to Scotland in sub zero temperatures and have been using it daily and not a single issue or concern to report. Love the car, it's everything I hoped it would be, and finally a Lotus that feels perfectly balanced in terms of usability, practicality and looks/performance. I know Lotus have been struggling with issues, but given everything they have faced, and the price point they have delivered at, I think they deserve some kudos overall.”

By nature you always hear problems first, I am now starting think I have dodged a bullet by having my car delayed 6 months into the production start. Assuming it’s still on for March build. But I could be in the first batch of Auto’s with teething problems, sigh!

 

[Tonyshepp]

By nature you always hear problems first, I am now starting think I have dodged a bullet by having my car delayed 6 months into the production start. Assuming it’s still on for March build. But I could be in the first batch of Auto’s with teething problems, sigh!

Do t worry they've saved some specially for the auto

 

[CDM1855]

Do t worry they've saved some specially for the auto

Hope not, but at least I am only 15 mins drive to Hethel to fix it

 

[Magicman]

Come on Tom, week over , are you in are out ?
The QC concerns me particularly as Lotus made such a big point of their improvements.

Yeah he's milking it a bit now...

 

[Magicman]

This whole forum has made me think I massively underthink all my car purchases

 

[TomE]

Yeah he's milking it a bit now...

In, out, (milk)shake it all about?

 

[Magicman]

This whole forum has made me think I massively underthink all my car purchases

And could also be why I'm on car number 46

 

[Pugwash]

I asked them some time ago if I could delay my order and pick the car up after Easter. The answer was that I could drop my current place in the queue and delay until next year but no guarantees as to when the car would then come.