USA/Canada Delivery Thread

[Lotustoronto]

Guys, In truth, Lotus just doesn't really care about the customer at the moment. The comm's / CS departments can only get the info you are asking for from the production team/upper management. At the moment they are tremendously busy trying to fix the issues on the car and production. They do not care if we leave and ask for deposits back, or if we complain on the forum. It's not in their best interest to update you every 6 weeks to keep telling you the same sob story of delays etc. So they are going to do it when they sort the production/car issues and have a hopefully better idea for timelines. I don't think the delay will be 6 months...more like 3-4 months. Anyways at this point we just have to wrap are heads around dealing with these things. The demand is far outstripping the tiny amount of supply they are able to produce. As time goes on this will only make the waitlist longer, not shorter unfortunately. This isn't 2001.... the options for a manual sports car that looks exotic is pretty much only Lotus at the moment.( yes there's the cayman.....but that production is almost done) They know this and are prioritizing whatever they feel is best for them. The order book is only going to increase, even with this terrible customer service. Shocking really, but this is the world of today I suppose. Nostalgia will always sell... and they are selling it in spades, without much competition....

 

[99Problems]

Guys, In truth, Lotus just doesn't really care about the customer at the moment. The comm's / CS departments can only get the info you are asking for from the production team/upper management. At the moment they are tremendously busy trying to fix the issues on the car and production. They do not care if we leave and ask for deposits back, or if we complain on the forum. It's not in their best interest to update you every 6 weeks to keep telling you the same sob story of delays etc. So they are going to do it when they sort the production/car issues and have a hopefully better idea for timelines. I don't think the delay will be 6 months...more like 3-4 months. Anyways at this point we just have to wrap are heads around dealing with these things. The demand is far outstripping the tiny amount of supply they are able to produce. As time goes on this will only make the waitlist longer, not shorter unfortunately. This isn't 2001.... the options for a manual sports car that looks exotic is pretty much only Lotus at the moment.( yes there's the cayman.....but that production is almost done) They know this and are prioritizing whatever they feel is best for them. The order book is only going to increase, even with this terrible customer service. Shocking really, but this is the world of today I suppose. Nostalgia will always sell... and they are selling it in spades, without much competition....

Yeah, that is likely spot on. I don't think the early adopter folks that are feeling jerked around total a big enough number to devote the effort towards us. I'm hoping that the "soon" to be announced delay we all are anticipating is not due to massive issues in the production, but if so, then do take the time to sort that out correctly before sending another 500-1000 cars out the door for the NA market, and THEN having all those back to the far flung dealers for sorting.

 

[trackday14]

We think this is bad, wait until we need replacement parts for warranty repairs!

 

[Captain.Kirk]

I finally heard back from a Lotus of US rep this morning after 3 weeks of no response and then attempting to escalate my concerns via CS yesterday... There's nothing exciting to report, but I got this info to share:



So yeah, our $100k 2024 MY cars will not have blind spot mirrors and there's still no production update. US production obviously didn't start this month since here we are at the end of Jan. with no news. At this point I'm confident we'll be notified of delays just weeks or even days before expected deliveries (just like what's happening to UK buyers). This is is not the experience I was expecting after saving for years and finally being able to achieve my lifelong dream of ordering a brand new exotic sports car.

Thank you for what is ultimately not the best news, although it is some news. It seems it had to be forced from Lotus USA.

While I still want to purchase an Emira it seems it will definitely not be in the near future.

I already have a deposit on a C8 in addition to the Emira and with the newly revealed E-RAY variant I think I’m safe to assume that it will be available for me to purchase before the Emira which I will do. Luckily I’ve passed over the Stingray variant and therefore I’m at the top of the list for the E-RAY. I’m simply not waiting forever for the Emira to arrive first.

I shall continue to leave my Emira deposit on file for now and hopefully I will eventually have an Emira as my backup car to my C8. It seems it was just not to be.

 

[Concept24]

If anyone thinks the issues posted on this forum are numerous, head on over to the C8 Corvette forum where you'll find so many more nightmare scenarios. Lotus is wise to slow down shipments. GM can get away with what is happening because there are far more diehard Corvette people out there. I was one for 33 years. One member compiled a list of issues so that C8 buyers can demand a pre-check before picking up their car. Here they are:

 

[Cachaco131]

I finally heard back from a Lotus of US rep this morning after 3 weeks of no response and then attempting to escalate my concerns via CS yesterday... There's nothing exciting to report, but I got this info to share:



So yeah, our $100k 2024 MY cars will not have blind spot mirrors and there's still no production update. US production obviously didn't start this month since here we are at the end of Jan. with no news. At this point I'm confident we'll be notified of delays just weeks or even days before expected deliveries (just like what's happening to UK buyers). This is is not the experience I was expecting after saving for years and finally being able to achieve my lifelong dream of ordering a brand new exotic sports car.

Stay positive, you are the moderator!

 

[eriegz]

I don't know what's worse:

• Not hearing any updates from Lotus, or
• Seeing new replies to this thread so I click on it, but it's only more complaining

 

[trackday14]

I just sent the following message in an email to Geoff Dowding (Lotus Cars Executive Director - Global Sales and Aftersales):

I hope that the New Year finds the Lotus Cars family well. I am a first batch U.S. Emira First Edition (FE) depositor whose Emira FE was supposed to have been built this month, with an alleged delivery in late February/early March of 2023. My dealer has said that there have been no recent communications from Lotus Cars regarding the status of North American Emira FE builds...and the Lotus forums are filled with purported quotes from various Lotus Cars representatives stating that there are delays (90 days), certain vehicle content will not be available, etc.

I would appreciate an update, and I know that all of the other depositors would too. Most of us are fierce advocates for Lotus (I have owned 4 lotus vehicles since 2005 and still have an Elise), but many, myself included, have reached our collective wits' end with the lack of transparency. Not to mention that this process has instilled a fear of having to deal with parts issues for any warranty claim.

Any communication that helps to manage expectations would be appreciated. Even a cursory review of the Lotus forums should give your communications team nausea...but the cure is transparency.

 

[VL3X]

I just sent the following message in an email to Geoff Dowding (Lotus Cars Executive Director - Global Sales and Aftersales):

I hope that the New Year finds the Lotus Cars family well. I am a first batch U.S. Emira First Edition (FE) depositor whose Emira FE was supposed to have been built this month, with an alleged delivery in late February/early March of 2023. My dealer has said that there have been no recent communications from Lotus Cars regarding the status of North American Emira FE builds...and the Lotus forums are filled with purported quotes from various Lotus Cars representatives stating that there are delays (90 days), certain vehicle content will not be available, etc.

I would appreciate an update, and I know that all of the other depositors would too. Most of us are fierce advocates for Lotus (I have owned 4 lotus vehicles since 2005 and still have an Elise), but many, myself included, have reached our collective wits' end with the lack of transparency. Not to mention that this process has instilled a fear of having to deal with parts issues for any warranty claim.

Any communication that helps to manage expectations would be appreciated. Even a cursory review of the Lotus forums should give your communications team nausea...but the cure is transparency.

Nicely put. Let us know if you get a response.

 

[trackday14]

Nicely put. Let us know if you get a response.

I got his email address correct…I received the following automatic out of office response:

“I will be out of the office on leave until Monday 30 January 2023 with no email access. I will respond as quickly as possible upon my return”

 

[eriegz]

I got his email address correct…I received the following automatic out of office response:

“I will be out of the office on leave until Monday 30 January 2023 with no email access. I will respond as quickly as possible upon my return”

That's already more communication than we've received in the last 2 months.

 

[EspritGuy]

Lotus HQ have previously held Zoom calls with reps from every North American dealer. They have also issued emails to all of them. So we know Lotus have ways of briefing all of them at once.

It’s clear they have taken an active decision NOT to brief them about the latest situation. And it also appears the Lotus USA reps who were at Hethel recently are not allowed to provide any update. Maybe the update is “coming soon”.

If you haven't noticed, there is a new branding campaign underway:
The Legendary Lotus Elusive

 

[Bilbao-Emira]

I got his email address correct…I received the following automatic out of office response:

“I will be out of the office on leave until Monday 30 January 2023 with no email access. I will respond as quickly as possible upon my return”

He has a training issue with his Email out of office machine:

It should say "I will respond soon..." as per Lotus directives

 

[DerTheDer]

I just sent the following message in an email to Geoff Dowding (Lotus Cars Executive Director - Global Sales and Aftersales):

I hope that the New Year finds the Lotus Cars family well. I am a first batch U.S. Emira First Edition (FE) depositor whose Emira FE was supposed to have been built this month, with an alleged delivery in late February/early March of 2023. My dealer has said that there have been no recent communications from Lotus Cars regarding the status of North American Emira FE builds...and the Lotus forums are filled with purported quotes from various Lotus Cars representatives stating that there are delays (90 days), certain vehicle content will not be available, etc.

I would appreciate an update, and I know that all of the other depositors would too. Most of us are fierce advocates for Lotus (I have owned 4 lotus vehicles since 2005 and still have an Elise), but many, myself included, have reached our collective wits' end with the lack of transparency. Not to mention that this process has instilled a fear of having to deal with parts issues for any warranty claim.

Any communication that helps to manage expectations would be appreciated. Even a cursory review of the Lotus forums should give your communications team nausea...but the cure is transparency.

Much nicer than I was going to put it! Well done.

 

[benjh1028]

I think this lack of communication is rampant throughout consumer products and not just exclusive to Lotus. I’ve experienced the same thing with an F150 Lightning and even a home theater projector. It seems companies lean on the “it’s a supply chain issue” and feel this response is satisfactory without further detail. That said, Lotus seems to be exceptionally poor with communication.

The smart companies realize people have memories, and when the economy returns to “normal” will be the ones to thrive. It would be beyond short sided for a company to not think at some point the tables will turn, and there will be plenty of competition where they will have to earn people’s dollars.

Lotus, if there are technical/supply chain issues just be transparent. Most people would understand, but not letting us know creates speculation, angst and eventually bitterness. This group here is the most supportive you will find of the Lotus brand. If there is any collective that should not be alienated it’s the people here.

Just tell us. We will remember.

 

[DerTheDer]

I get better customer service with my push lawn mower. Lotus is basically a brand new company since geely took over. The really bad thing is these kinks should have been worked out, however thats not the case. People are watching, how do you think the Electre or the other Elmira ev is going to go lol? Wealthy consumers would rather not hassle with this.

 

[Hell4Leather]

I get better customer service with my push lawn mower. Lotus is basically a brand new company since geely took over. The really bad thing is these kinks should have been worked out, however thats not the case. People are watching, how do you think the Electre or the other Elmira ev is going to go lol? Wealthy consumers would rather not hassle with this.

Good thing I’m not wealthy

 

[Nova]

Good thing I’m not wealthy

They must have other relationship managers dedicated to those people. Part of the perks of being wealthy is access to an entirely different group of service providers so they don't have to bump elbows with us plebs.

 

[Hell4Leather]

They must have other relationship managers dedicated to those people. Part of the perks of being wealthy is access to an entirely different group of service providers so they don't have to bump elbows with us plebs.

I don’t think they don’t care about us, they have to balance brand image with the new ownership. So care and attention to communication is important. I get it, it’s sucks, but I get it. They either upset the die hard fans who will likely forgive and forget when we get in the drivers seat of this awesome ride. The new owners have a global market to watch. They already make a very popular product in China (looks like a Mini, but I digress). I want a special and unique and arguably spectacular automobile. I chose Lotus for this reason. If I have to wait longer than I want to get exactly what I want and likely keep it forever; so be it. I’m in. For the drivers.

 

[Captain.Kirk]

They must have other relationship managers dedicated to those people. Part of the perks of being wealthy is access to an entirely different group of service providers so they don't have to bump elbows with us plebs.

And the vast majority of Electra’s will be sold in China.