USA/Canada Delivery Thread

[Barfly]

Also deposit with Galpin. They’ve always been responsive via text. Sometimes it’s unclear exactly what’s going on, but I attribute more of that to sketchy communication from Lotus than the dealer. sales guy called me when FE2 announced, and gave me a position in that line. An aside, one of my best friends has a recording studio workspace around the corner and occasionally eats lunch at Galpin! They have some sort of restaurant there he says is pretty good. Haha

Trying to keep myself entertained while waiting… Y’all definitely help!

 

[scarzie]

Just a counterpoint here, but there really isn't much to update at this point. When I went on my drive in April, I spoke with the owner of the dealership in Summit, NJ and he basically told me to be patient and not expect to hear anything until my order is ready to be placed. Since placing my deposit last fall, I haven't heard anything except the invite for the test drive event and I don't really know what else they could have told me that would have been meaningful and worthy of the effort to reach out to all reservation holders.

I'm eager and excited too. It's my first "nice" car that I'm buying for myself. But my dealership letting me know that things are taking a longer time than expected isn't helping get the car in my garage any sooner. I'm just checking this thread every two weeks or so to see what the rumors are but other than that, I'm just thankful to be able to be in a position where I'll eventually be getting my hands on one.

How about us that put our deposits down 2 years ago and have orders placed over a year ago? We really should not have to be reaching out ourselves to get reasonable updates on delays.

 

[VL3X]

How about us that put our deposits down 2 years ago and have orders placed over a year ago? We really should not have to be reaching out ourselves to get reasonable updates on delays.

My biggest complaint is the last minute delay comms. They obviously knew US spec cars weren't even in production yet and certification wasn't yet obtained, yet they failed to communicate that to customers and led many of us on to believe our cars would arrive in March-April of this year. My last email from them says to expect delivery in Spring 2023. Some dealers haven't even communicated these recent delays to customers yet. It's an absolute mess for the North American market.

Now we're told cars will arrive in October? Well it's June and they haven't even started production. How can they obtain certification until a NA spec production vehicle is sent over and tested? This all shouldn't even be an issue right now. I was told to expect my Emira in Spring of 2022! Why were dealers telling early deposit holders to expect their vehicles in spring 2022 if certification wouldn't even happen until autumn 2023 now? I'm just so disappointed in how Lotus is operating as a company on so many levels. What a disaster.

 

[dgrace]

I'm assuming (hoping?) that Lotus is focused on the upcoming Goodwood festival, and will be timing info releases to coincide with that. I don't expect there will be a lot of news re: US deliveries but maybe we can make educated guesses based on what they show and what timelines they discuss for i4 deliveries.

 

[squish]

Also deposit with Galpin. They’ve always been responsive via text. Sometimes it’s unclear exactly what’s going on, but I attribute more of that to sketchy communication from Lotus than the dealer. sales guy called me when FE2 announced, and gave me a position in that line. An aside, one of my best friends has a recording studio workspace around the corner and occasionally eats lunch at Galpin! They have some sort of restaurant there he says is pretty good. Haha

Trying to keep myself entertained while waiting… Y’all definitely help!

Your post just reinforces my despair with all of this. As I said, I have no idea where I am in the queue, they haven’t asked for any order details or additional money, and I never got any communication regarding FE2. I only know about FE2 based on what I have read on this forum.

 

[kitkat]

Your post just reinforces my despair with all of this. As I said, I have no idea where I am in the queue, they haven’t asked for any order details or additional money, and I never got any communication regarding FE2. I only know about FE2 based on what I have read on this forum.

Most dealers won't operate with an FE2 line, they'll just treat all their depositors are potential FE1 or FE2 depositors -- that makes the most sense for dealers. Since FE1 allocations were given and orders submitted already, and FE2 allocations have not yet been announced, theres zero news to give the depositors.

 

[Barfly]

Your post just reinforces my despair with all of this. As I said, I have no idea where I am in the queue, they haven’t asked for any order details or additional money, and I never got any communication regarding FE2. I only know about FE2 based on what I have read on this forum.

I was poking him pretty regularly. Squeaking wheel theory. Although at this point seems like no reason since I figure any real news about approvals & allocations will show up here first. Soon as I hear a peep about anything squeak squeak! Or just check in to say hi.

 

[Maurice R]

I'm assuming (hoping?) that Lotus is focused on the upcoming Goodwood festival, and will be timing info releases to coincide with that. I don't expect there will be a lot of news re: US deliveries but maybe we can make educated guesses based on what they show and what timelines they discuss for i4 deliveries.

IMO the only thing Lotus will focus on at Goodwood will all be about the EV models.
Also how great a car the Emira is. Absolutely nothing will be mentioned about NA cars.
I’ve probably said before based on 2 years of non communication the don’t give a flying f about NA
Agree or disagree that’s just my opinion
Yes I want the car and will wait.
I have my doubts that US will not see any vehicles till 2nd Q 2024 at earliest

 

[KCMO68_510]

Your post just reinforces my despair with all of this. As I said, I have no idea where I am in the queue, they haven’t asked for any order details or additional money, and I never got any communication regarding FE2. I only know about FE2 based on what I have read on this forum.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm a November 2021 depositor and also have not been asked for additional funds or final order details. My dealer is only willing to tell me I'm in the "mid-20's" of their total order list. Why can they not just tell me the number? Who knows. They at least have told me they'd expect for me to finalize my order in the next 8 months and then add an undetermined build time on top of that which they don't know because they've yet to have an order built. Long story short, I'm guessing I won't see a car until mid-2024 as a November 2021 orderer.

 

[Hell4Leather]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm a November 2021 depositor and also have not been asked for additional funds or final order details. My dealer is only willing to tell me I'm in the "mid-20's" of their total order list. Why can they not just tell me the number? Who knows. They at least have told me they'd expect for me to finalize my order in the next 8 months and then add an undetermined build time on top of that which they don't know because they've yet to have an order built. Long story short, I'm guessing I won't see a car until mid-2024 as a November 2021 orderer.

Well what that tells you is that they did get an FE allocation of probably 20. Those folks confirmed their build spec with the factory. You are first up for the additional FE allocations coming “soon” and will get to confirm your order this year. Won’t get a car but you’ll at least take one step forward.

 

[Hell4Leather]

I posted something similar a while back but for the benefit of those new to the forum and/or Lotus, a brief history. In 1996 Lotus released the Elise as the successor to the Elan S2. 8 years later, in 2004, Lotus opened the Elise 111R for orders to North America. Below is just a snippet from the Lotus forums of old:

 

[Ro_Ja Boy]

My biggest complaint is the last minute delay comms. They obviously knew US spec cars weren't even in production yet and certification wasn't yet obtained, yet they failed to communicate that to customers and led many of us on to believe our cars would arrive in March-April of this year. My last email from them says to expect delivery in Spring 2023. Some dealers haven't even communicated these recent delays to customers yet. It's an absolute mess for the North American market.

Now we're told cars will arrive in October? Well it's June and they haven't even started production. How can they obtain certification until a NA spec production vehicle is sent over and tested? This all shouldn't even be an issue right now. I was told to expect my Emira in Spring of 2022! Why were dealers telling early deposit holders to expect their vehicles in spring 2022 if certification wouldn't even happen until autumn 2023 now? I'm just so disappointed in how Lotus is operating as a company on so many levels. What a disaster.

Exactly this.

 

[Maurice R]

I posted something similar a while back but for the benefit of those new to the forum and/or Lotus, a brief history. In 1996 Lotus released the Elise as the successor to the Elan S2. 8 years later, in 2004, Lotus opened the Elise 111R for orders to North America. Below is just a snippet from the Lotus forums of old:

View attachment 27558

so nothing has changed in 20 plus years of buying a new Lotus. It is what it is.
For those that don’t want to wait years for their car to arrive. There will be quite a few for sale shortly after ( if ever the car actually comes to NA) car arrive in NA

 

[DerTheDer]

Lotus came and banged my wife and kicked my dog on the way out. Didnt even have the decency to take her with em! Thats about how I am feeling. My cars supposed to be here by years end....yeah right...

 

[Nova]

My biggest complaint is the last minute delay comms. They obviously knew US spec cars weren't even in production yet and certification wasn't yet obtained, yet they failed to communicate that to customers and led many of us on to believe our cars would arrive in March-April of this year. My last email from them says to expect delivery in Spring 2023. Some dealers haven't even communicated these recent delays to customers yet. It's an absolute mess for the North American market.

Now we're told cars will arrive in October? Well it's June and they haven't even started production. How can they obtain certification until a NA spec production vehicle is sent over and tested? This all shouldn't even be an issue right now. I was told to expect my Emira in Spring of 2022! Why were dealers telling early deposit holders to expect their vehicles in spring 2022 if certification wouldn't even happen until autumn 2023 now? I'm just so disappointed in how Lotus is operating as a company on so many levels. What a disaster.

Shifting market conditions, global pandemics, I understand. Getting certifications and approvals is the core of what a car company should be able to do. This is truly top down incompetence.

 

[Silver Storm]

Shifting market conditions, global pandemics, I understand. Getting certifications and approvals is the core of what a car company should be able to do. This is truly top down incompetence.

Maybe they know they can’t handle the numbers, so “being incompetent” is a way to weed out the non die hards fans (and orders) to a manageable level?

 

[Nova]

Maybe they know they can’t handle the numbers, so “being incompetent” is a way to weed out the non die hards fans (and orders) to a manageable level?

That presumes a level of sophisticated evil genius mastermind thinking that I don't think they are capable of. I subscribe to Hanlon's Razor: never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

 

[Silver Storm]

That presumes a level of sophisticated evil genius mastermind thinking that I don't think they are capable of. I subscribe to Hanlon's Razor: never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

Good point

 

[Hell4Leather]

That presumes a level of sophisticated evil genius mastermind thinking that I don't think they are capable of. I subscribe to Hanlon's Razor: never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

I knew the rules of the game going in. It’s always a show. That’s part of the fun. But there is a little truth to the evil genius side. Lotus has stated publicly that they intentionally keep demand well above the ability to supply so that their customers don’t experience depreciation like McLaren owners and other competitive brands. So partially correct, they are happy where they are, but that doesn’t mean they were smart enough to plan it.

 

[MPD]

I think the thing that bugs me the most is when dealers can't be transparent about their lists, how many allocations or what place someone sits. If so, their customers would be fully aware and no funny business. I know Macmulkin Chev has a list you can check your place in line and then everyone started publishing their spot and an unofficial tracking spreadsheet was born. It's constantly monitored, updated, and keeps everything above board from the community.

When everything is hidden then things can (but doesn't always) happen. This very thing literally happened two weeks ago. I have a friend who was late to the game by a couple years on putting a deposit down on a highly desired car. He knows alot of people in the car world so he made a call to a big dealership, got to the GM, named dropped some very influential people .... low and behold they slot him in and knock someone off that was next up. Don't like how that went down

There was someone on here that placed a deposit last fall and the dealer told him he was part of FE1.0 when all orders were already completed earlier in the spring.

Ok vent over. I've gone through all the cycles of excited, loosing interest, some slight excitement, frustrated, round and round. At this point, I don't really long for it like I did and will be excited when it gets here but if that doesn't happen until Spring '24 then I'm totally fine.