Things are happening on a much larger
scale at Lotus these days. With construction of the Lotus Elise, Esprit,
Exige and the Speedster/VX220 for Opel/Vauxhall is at a current rate of
6,000 cars a year. So far over 3,500 cars have been built in the new
manufacturing facility at Hethel, which came on line at the beginning of
this year. This is a company record.
The new production line is an impressive sight with
spotless working conditions and greatly improved quality thanks to the
influences and practices of General Motors.
The transformation seen under General Motors wasn't
easy and wasn't cheap (requiring new buildings for starters) but could
certainly be lesson to other specialist manufacturers.
The production facilities are shared with both Elise
II's and VX220's rolling off at the end to be driven around Lotus's test
track for a shake down after completion.
Visitors to the facilities are even given small
woollen bands to cover watches and belt buckles to prevent scratches to
cars. It's indicative of the attention to detail that GM and Lotus now
share. |
The 1000th Elise II has rolled off the production line at Lotus's headquarted
in Hethel Norfolk. The car was handed over to its new owner on Tuesday.
Ansar Ali, General Manager for UK Sales, conducted the key handover to Dr
Michael Phillips, a surgeon from Pitt near Winchester, outside the new
manufacturing facility. Also present was Paul Gillooly, Sales Executive from Dr
Phillips's local Lotus dealership, Bell & Colvill at West Horsley.
Ansar Ali stated: "Lotus's new manufacturing facility has enabled us
to achieve record production volumes whilst simultaneously achieving our highest
ever levels of quality. Demand for the award-winning new Elise has been
extremely high and I'm delighted that our 1,000th customer will today take
possession of Britain's Best Driver's Car"
Having taken possession of his new car, Dr Phillips was then given a tour of
the new manufacturing facility, followed by some passenger laps around the 2¼
mile Hethel test track with Lotus Chief Instructor, Alastair McQueen.
Following his lap ride, Dr Phillips enthused: "Owning a Lotus is the
realisation of a childhood dream for me! It's been great to have the opportunity
to come to Lotus and to see how the cars are built - the attention to detail is
amazing. However, the undoubted highlight of this whole experience was going
round the test track with Alastair McQueen … and whilst I'm not sure I'll be
doing it in the same style as Alastair, I can't wait for the drive back home!"