USA/Canada Delivery Thread

[Hell4Leather]

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.

New dealership openings were given allocations. Makes sense if you think about it. “Welcome to Lotus of Burnt Scrotum Arkansas” we don’t have anything to sell, sorry.

 

[benjh1028]

New dealership openings were given allocations. Makes sense if you think about it. “Welcome to Lotus of Burnt Scrotum Arkansas” we don’t have anything to sell, sorry.

I put a second deposit down with that dealer. To be honest, they were kinda di$kheads.

 

[benjh1028]

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.

Would be curious to read the Lotus statement in regards to protecting customer depreciation if its handy. And sounds like you were also a participant in the Elise sweepstakes like myself, so clearly we are gluttons for punishment.

 

[Nova]

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.

I can appreciate artificially limiting demand - being rare is probably the #2 reason that I plunked down my deposit for the Emira. I b*tched and moaned about the 700 units of FE allocated to the US in so far as I was not a part of it, but I understood why and see how it makes sense in terms of exclusivity.

This whole "don't have certification" thing is different, though. They have a "limited number of cars" strategy, not a "no cars" strategy. It's the "no cars" part that we are exasperated about as a group. I have a high tolerance for what is euphemistically referred to as "character", whether it's in things or people. Lotus is taking this to a whole new level for me and I have not even seen a car in person yet.

 

[EspritGuy]

I can appreciate artificially limiting demand - being rare is probably the #2 reason that I plunked down my deposit for the Emira. I b*tched and moaned about the 700 units of FE allocated to the US in so far as I was not a part of it, but I understood why and see how it makes sense in terms of exclusivity.

This whole "don't have certification" thing is different, though. They have a "limited number of cars" strategy, not a "no cars" strategy. It's the "no cars" part that we are exasperated about as a group. I have a high tolerance for what is euphemistically referred to as "character", whether it's in things or people. Lotus is taking this to a whole new level for me and I have not even seen a car in person yet.

This is the excitement/problem with being in the vanguard as early adopters (wannabes). Best New car/Worst New car launch.
Having seen and driven the Emira, the pain points are real. Feels like something was snatched away. Plus pricing bait & switch.
#ForTheDelays

 

[Hell4Leather]

Would be curious to read the Lotus statement in regards to protecting customer depreciation if its handy. And sounds like you were also a participant in the Elise sweepstakes like myself, so clearly we are gluttons for punishment.

Yes I do, attached below. He mentions some production numbers that are lower than what I thought I heard. However, this is an older piece.

Lotus Emira demand outstripping supply - TopCarNews

Production of new Lotus sports car expanded to meet higher than expected customer orders

topcarnews.net

 

[benjh1028]

Yes I do, attached below. He mentions some production numbers that are lower than what I thought I heard. However, this is an older piece.

Lotus Emira demand outstripping supply - TopCarNews

Production of new Lotus sports car expanded to meet higher than expected customer orders

topcarnews.net

Thanks! Interesting read!

 

[VL3X]

Yes I do, attached below. He mentions some production numbers that are lower than what I thought I heard. However, this is an older piece.

Lotus Emira demand outstripping supply - TopCarNews

Production of new Lotus sports car expanded to meet higher than expected customer orders

topcarnews.net

Matt's said a lot of things that have changed (power, delivery dates, not increasing the price, etc).

 

[Maurice R]

Matt's said a lot of things that have changed (power, delivery dates, not increasing the price, etc).

I just want to know in what year we’re they planning on manufacturing 5000 Emira’s never mind the 7000 the following year.
Have they even produced/delivered a 1000 yet.
Producing and actually delivering are two very different things

 

[Hell4Leather]

I just want to know in what year we’re they planning on manufacturing 5000 Emira’s never mind the 7000 the following year.
Have they even produced/delivered a 1000 yet.
Producing and actually delivering are two very different things

Well for this particular case we were talking about how Lotus is known to purposely keep production below demand levels to maintain value for owners. This is what we currently are experiencing. For the rare few of us that get cars in the next couple of years that’s probably going to be it for NA. Matt mentions here even that they plan to continue to make only 500 or so for a few markets until they faze it out. So the 8 years of production was never intend to be 8 years at full capacity (at least not full capacity dedicated to the Emira)

Personally I hope they drop a bombshell at the last possible second that it’s going to be another 6 months minimum and they require an additional $7500 deposit so a ton of folks drop out.

 

[Maurice R]

Well for this particular case we were talking about how Lotus is known to purposely keep production below demand levels to maintain value for owners. This is what we currently are experiencing. For the rare few of us that get cars in the next couple of years that’s probably going to be it for NA. Matt mentions here even that they plan to continue to make only 500 or so for a few markets until they faze it out. So the 8 years of production was never intend to be 8 years at full capacity (at least not full capacity dedicated to the Emira)

Personally I hope they drop a bombshell at the last possible second that it’s going to be another 6 months minimum and they require an additional $7500 deposit so a ton of folks drop out.

Well I won’t be the one to drop out. I can wait. Probably in my case a good thing as I may have to have rotator cuff surgery in next few months 6 I’m good waiting 6 months more

 

[Silver Storm]

Well for this particular case we were talking about how Lotus is known to purposely keep production below demand levels to maintain value for owners. This is what we currently are experiencing. For the rare few of us that get cars in the next couple of years that’s probably going to be it for NA. Matt mentions here even that they plan to continue to make only 500 or so for a few markets until they faze it out. So the 8 years of production was never intend to be 8 years at full capacity (at least not full capacity dedicated to the Emira)

Personally I hope they drop a bombshell at the last possible second that it’s going to be another 6 months minimum and they require an additional $7500 deposit so a ton of folks drop out.

The worst possible scenario is that existing deposit holders are left in the cold (production ends, you are not allocated a build, you are SOL). I would be so choked. I could have had my deposit down for other cars (Cayman GTS, LC500, and others) but now shafted by Lotus as other manufacturers wind down their ICE sport cars for EVs. It’s a lose-lose proposition.

 

[benjh1028]

Well I won’t be the one to drop out. I can wait. Probably in my case a good thing as I may have to have rotator cuff surgery in next few months 6 I’m good waiting 6 months more

Maybe we can get a group discount. Just tore my left one a few weeks ago. Don’t want to be Debbie Downer but the recovery is wretched (did my right one a few years back).

 

[Maurice R]

do

Maybe we can get a group discount. Just tore my left one a few weeks ago. Don’t want to be Debbie Downer but the recovery is wretched (did my right one a few years back).

lol I know on the recovery. That’s why I can wait. Or happy to rent mine out for track days that way I can get a return on my investment. Renter covers insurance costs

 

[kitkat]

The worst possible scenario is that existing deposit holders are left in the cold (production ends, you are not allocated a build, you are SOL). I would be so choked. I could have had my deposit down for other cars (Cayman GTS, LC500, and others) but now shafted by Lotus as other manufacturers wind down their ICE sport cars for EVs. It’s a lose-lose proposition.

And then existing owners cheer it on because their car is rare, even though it’s in the shop for 3 months because of wiring harness or ecu issues.

 

[Hell4Leather]

The worst possible scenario is that existing deposit holders are left in the cold (production ends, you are not allocated a build, you are SOL). I would be so choked. I could have had my deposit down for other cars (Cayman GTS, LC500, and others) but now shafted by Lotus as other manufacturers wind down their ICE sport cars for EVs. It’s a lose-lose proposition.

So you pick up a used Huracan or 720S

 

[d15b7]

Well I won’t be the one to drop out. I can wait. Probably in my case a good thing as I may have to have rotator cuff surgery in next few months 6 I’m good waiting 6 months more

Hey Maurice - I just had rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder 9 weeks ago. I started physical therapy 5 weeks ago and am starting to really improve finally (2 weeks ago was the first time I could drive a manual transmission again without major issues). Of the various surgical repairs I’ve had over the years (I’m 55 yrs old) this rotator repair has been the toughest by far. Good luck with yours hope it goes well for you my friend!

 

[Cachaco131]

And then existing owners cheer it on because their car is rare, even though it’s in the shop for 3 months because of wiring harness or ecu issues.

Not if you buy the Two battery edition!

 

[haaaake]

This is what I was told by dealer in Bay Area today. Is it accurate? Who he fuck knows. Probably the 3rd time I have been told this with different dates swapped in. To be fair my dealer has been pretty open and sharing info whenever they have it available. And are just as frustrated as I am at this point.

"The US spec vehicles start production 1/2/2024. First vehicles arrive March 2024. Will receive 2-5 per month after March till year end. When the order banks open up your #2 on ordering, meaning you’ll order in Feb 2024 and receive vehicle May-June 2024."

 

[dgrace]

Does Lotus USA actually have any employees? And if so, why?