RE: Jean-Marc Gales exits Lotus
Discussion
Brooking10 said:
bobo said:
added very little ... bring in a guy that can get more done than just a paint job, smaller pulley and nitrons for double the price !
I don’t mean to be rude but when I read comments like this I can’t help but think the poster has no understanding whatsoever of the commercial situation Lotus found itself in at the start of JMGs tenure nor where it sits now. In fact it betrays a total and utter understanding of how the car industry, or indeed basic commerce, works.
t posted on here that PH could start a fertiliser factory!otolith said:
Tuna said:
Maybe something that can be shared with Volvo in a de-tuned form might suit Geely and deliver the halo model we'd like to see.
Maybe, though it would be contrary to Volvo's stated engine policy.
Tuna said:
otolith said:
Tuna said:
Maybe something that can be shared with Volvo in a de-tuned form might suit Geely and deliver the halo model we'd like to see.
Maybe, though it would be contrary to Volvo's stated engine policy.https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media...
saaby93 said:
Thats not where they are
With Porsche or Ferrari there's a degree of they have more money than sense, the green monster can appear too.
Somehow Lots have managed to engender 'respect' in the way their models are viewed
How have the done it?
It is a different market - what's wrong with that?
I would think that any accountant or head hunter could answer that for you. Sadly. With Porsche or Ferrari there's a degree of they have more money than sense, the green monster can appear too.
Somehow Lots have managed to engender 'respect' in the way their models are viewed
How have the done it?
It is a different market - what's wrong with that?
Lotus need and want to sell more cars. We all know this. Lotus need to push the prices up to ensure there is both profit margin and consumer appeal. Every single one of us knows that such a company cannot produce £25k cars with £25k cash back deals as much as many wish they could. The 21st century high end consumer has very clearly defined criteria and we can all see what these are just from looking at how premium products are marketed. We all know that ‘handling’ is a total irrelevance beyond a basic level in regards to attracting solid sales growth.
The market is for products that meet the needs of wealth and consumption enthusiasts, not the last remaining 8 driving enthusiasts on a budget.
Tuna said:
otolith said:
Tuna said:
Maybe something that can be shared with Volvo in a de-tuned form might suit Geely and deliver the halo model we'd like to see.
Maybe, though it would be contrary to Volvo's stated engine policy.DonkeyApple said:
Seeing as most wealthy people reside in cities and most cities are legislating against pure ICE then arguably any future top end performance car needs to have enough EV element to satisfy those regulations.
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.otolith said:
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.
I suppose that depends on what you think the Esprit should be. Lets not forget that the 907 and 910 were hardly inspirational engines. One could argue that the market is likely to be happier with the idea of a four-pot hybrid sports car these days than it was a four-pot turbo in the 70s/80s. kambites said:
otolith said:
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.
I suppose that depends on what you think the Esprit should be. Lets not forget that the 907 and 910 were hardly inspirational engines. One could argue that the market is likely to be happier with the idea of a four-pot hybrid sports car these days than it was a four-pot turbo in the 70s/80s. kambites said:
otolith said:
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.
I suppose that depends on what you think the Esprit should be. Lets not forget that the 907 and 910 were hardly inspirational engines. One could argue that the market is likely to be happier with the idea of a four-pot hybrid sports car these days than it was a four-pot turbo in the 70s/80s. If, as DA asserts, the "minicab" supercharged V6 in the Evora is an insurmountable handicap for the frankly appalling people he sees buying this stuff, what will they make of a Volvo four in the halo car?
otolith said:
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.
Good question. I happen to rate Volvo at present as the most understated of the mid level brands so would consider their association less damaging than Toyotas when trying to push a product upmarket and raising the price. I guess instead of calling it a Volvo engine it would be branded as Polestar to assist?A bit like TVR understanding the worth of paying a bit of money to have a Cosworth sticker covering the crate Ford label.
one scenario: Focus on the east. ignore pesky Brits for now. build a mid-market halo car, a Boxster/Cayman if you like. Definitely needs to stand out, enjoy some Lotus feel, be comfortable and be reliable... The idea being is that people see them on the streets in China/India/Malaysia. Build the awareness. A halo car at the top end only gets coverage in magazines and with car buffs. (ok, maybe do an exclusive Esprit as well). Then launch the suv, again with a Lotus twist. Needs big investment, dealer network and quality right from the start. As with Tesla, you can launch a brand relatively easily with investment. It's more difficult on a budget.
Many UK comments are talking about organic change to escape the pit Lotus are currently in. A bit like giving JMG a few million for stage 3. Small change in global car manufacturing. I think Geely would think much bigger, leverage other dealer networks and take a quantum step forward.
Lotus heritage is marketing gold. what Geely might do with it will send purists into a tizzy. Nothing that hasn't been done elsewhere though.
Many UK comments are talking about organic change to escape the pit Lotus are currently in. A bit like giving JMG a few million for stage 3. Small change in global car manufacturing. I think Geely would think much bigger, leverage other dealer networks and take a quantum step forward.
Lotus heritage is marketing gold. what Geely might do with it will send purists into a tizzy. Nothing that hasn't been done elsewhere though.
DonkeyApple said:
otolith said:
Yes, the question is whether a hybridised four cylinder turbo shared with Volvo would be up to the job of being seen to power an Esprit.
Good question. I happen to rate Volvo at present as the most understated of the mid level brands so would consider their association less damaging than Toyotas when trying to push a product upmarket and raising the price. I guess instead of calling it a Volvo engine it would be branded as Polestar to assist?A bit like TVR understanding the worth of paying a bit of money to have a Cosworth sticker covering the crate Ford label.
I'm also unsure about how brand perceptions play out in other markets. The UK is quite snobby about Japanese products, I don't know if everywhere is.
Having a look at Volvo and they appear to have three engines that Lotus could use?
T6 320PS [235 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2016
Polestar 367PS [270 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2017
T8 320PS [235 kW] turbo, supercharger, and rear electric motor (87PS, 64 kW). From MY2016
All more modern than the ageing jap lump.
A sportscar build around the T8 set-up anyone?
T6 320PS [235 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2016
Polestar 367PS [270 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2017
T8 320PS [235 kW] turbo, supercharger, and rear electric motor (87PS, 64 kW). From MY2016
All more modern than the ageing jap lump.
A sportscar build around the T8 set-up anyone?
Helicopter123 said:
Having a look at Volvo and they appear to have three engines that Lotus could use?
T6 320PS [235 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2016
Polestar 367PS [270 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2017
T8 320PS [235 kW] turbo, supercharger, and rear electric motor (87PS, 64 kW). From MY2016
All more modern than the ageing jap lump.
A sportscar build around the T8 set-up anyone?
And all of them turbocharged fours.T6 320PS [235 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2016
Polestar 367PS [270 kW] turbo and supercharger. From MY2017
T8 320PS [235 kW] turbo, supercharger, and rear electric motor (87PS, 64 kW). From MY2016
All more modern than the ageing jap lump.
A sportscar build around the T8 set-up anyone?
More modern than the ageing Jap lump, but will any of them sound better than this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIu4ckN4Lzs
otolith said:
And all of them turbocharged fours.
More modern than the ageing Jap lump, but will any of them sound better than this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIu4ckN4Lzs
Actually maybe something that attracts that much attention isnt a good idea More modern than the ageing Jap lump, but will any of them sound better than this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIu4ckN4Lzs
How many police bikes?
If it was a Porsche or a Ferrari would he have got a ticket?
saaby93 said:
Actually maybe something that attracts that much attention isnt a good idea
Comes to something when aftermarket exhaust vendors are offering quieter-than-standard options!http://www.2bular.co.uk/qp-track-system
otolith said:
saaby93 said:
Actually maybe something that attracts that much attention isnt a good idea
Comes to something when aftermarket exhaust vendors are offering quieter-than-standard options!http://www.2bular.co.uk/qp-track-system
I can't be the only person on here to expect the Lotus SUV to be heavily based on the Volvo XC40, can I? It's built on a new modular platform, and is set up to run front engine, transverse mounted, with either 4x4 or front only drive. It's had pretty good reviews. It's holding it's own in the Premium compact SUV sector. I can't imagine that Lotus's first SUV will be a big bruiser £100kplus monster taking on Range Rover, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche at it's first attempt. With the XC40 They might do something as simple as change the bumpers lights and grill and retrim the interior, or it might be a whole new body. Who knows. If it goes down well, and sell in the thousands, then I expect they'll re-engineer the XC90 too.
Another thing I'll put money on is that at some point in the near future (probably about the time that Lotus become wholly more Volvo-ish inside), you'll be able to buy and service a Lotus at any Volvo dealership. Why on earth wouldn't Geely do that. Instant access to some 2,300 dealers in 100 or more countries.
'Course I might be talking complete bks.
Another thing I'll put money on is that at some point in the near future (probably about the time that Lotus become wholly more Volvo-ish inside), you'll be able to buy and service a Lotus at any Volvo dealership. Why on earth wouldn't Geely do that. Instant access to some 2,300 dealers in 100 or more countries.
'Course I might be talking complete b
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