Some better news from Lotus: Best 1Q Sales for Three Years

[limpsfield]

Official press release here

http://www.lotuscars.com/gb/news/corporate/lotus-d...

"31% rise in global sports car sales for the first financial quarter of 2014."

Still relatively small volumes of course "505 units compared to 386 units"

[Amateurish]

With volumes like that, I find it incredible that Proton are still propping them up.

[TVRinBFG]

According to SMMT, they have sold just 73 cars in UK to end May 14. (80 to May 13.)

[Thorburn]

TVRinBFG said:

According to SMMT, they have sold just 73 cars in UK to end May 14. (80 to May 13.)

I'd imagine the article is referring to international sales.

[Tuna]

After all the negative press and rumours of the last few years, they need to keep their heads down and just get cars out there until confidence in the brand settles. That's exactly what they seem to be doing - the current range is sound and cars are being sold.

The UK is no longer their 'core market' - not all that surprising after the Bahar mess, a battered dealer network and a shift towards either cheap or safe options (i.e.MX-5 or Porsche). It's a pity because the residuals on a modern Lotus are pretty impressive.

Let's hope they can build on this.

[Amateurish]

TVRinBFG said:

According to SMMT, they have sold just 73 cars in UK to end May 14. (80 to May 13.)

I wonder how many of those 73 were staff cars...

[Thorburn]

Amateurish said:

I wonder how many of those 73 were staff cars...

They haven't been doing the Evora management cars for a few years as far as I know. Not since 2011?

I'd imagine the vast majority are customer Exige V6's.

[Amateurish]

Thorburn said:

They haven't been doing the Evora management cars for a few years as far as I know. Not since 2011?

I'd imagine the vast majority are customer Exige V6's.

Well the management will be getting something.

When I was working at a struggling manufacturer, a surprising proportion of monthly new registrations came from staff cars, dealer demos and dealer pre-reg.

[andrew]

Amateurish said:

Thorburn said:

They haven't been doing the Evora management cars for a few years as far as I know. Not since 2011?

I'd imagine the vast majority are customer Exige V6's.

Well the management will be getting something.

When I was working at a struggling manufacturer, a surprising proportion of monthly new registrations came from staff cars, dealer demos and dealer pre-reg.

indeed
the uk operation of one manufacturer allows each employee up to four new cars for friends and family on a cut-price lease deal. the cars are replaced every six months

[TVRinBFG]

Carrying on this thread, according to SMMT, Lotus sold 22 cars in June 2014 (17 in June 2013) which is nearly a 30% improvement on last year.

So 95 year total to end June 2014 (97 to end June 2013)

[clubsportguy]

Any signs of a new dealer network on the horizon ?? Mainly in the North West region Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lotus Elan +2]

Christopher Neil in Northwich

[Thorburn]

Lotus Elan +2 said:

Christopher Neil in Northwich

Only parts and servicing now I believe?

[Hedgerley]

Thorburn said:

Only parts and servicing now I believe?

They are returning to a full franchise, hopefully soon. They pulled out following the death of Ben Shepherdson (the owner's son) in an Elise last September but when his father Neil Shepherdson died of cancer in April they decided his best legacy was to return to selling Lotus cars. A very sad story but hopefully a better future.

Statement here -

http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/64873-n...