Lotus and this recession game!
Discussion
Lets face it things aren't great at the moment, not oh crap bad but not great!!
Been chatting to one of the lads in the office that may of well stolen his 911 off the forecourt as the Porsche dealer was so keen to shift and it seems to be slowly happening to a few marques at both used and new sales.
So how do we think Lotus sales will fair?
Any concerns?
Been chatting to one of the lads in the office that may of well stolen his 911 off the forecourt as the Porsche dealer was so keen to shift and it seems to be slowly happening to a few marques at both used and new sales.
So how do we think Lotus sales will fair?
Any concerns?
I think Lotus will be hit the same as many but for different reasons. For me a Lotus an enthusiasts car, not a status symbol like a Porsche. And lets not be fooled into thinking they are in the same league or appeal to the same buyer. Sure I wouldn't mind another 911 but only if I was using it every day but I'm not so I'm not in that market. I'm in the "fun" car market, hence the Lotus. That, I think, is likely to be the problem.
Unfortunately a % of prospective Lotus buyers will decide not to buy because of their actual or perceived future financial situation. I doubt however that they will pick up prospective buyers from higher value marques, i.e. Porsche, for the reason already mentioned.
Not the best of times to be launching a new supercar. Good time to buy one though
Unfortunately a % of prospective Lotus buyers will decide not to buy because of their actual or perceived future financial situation. I doubt however that they will pick up prospective buyers from higher value marques, i.e. Porsche, for the reason already mentioned.
Not the best of times to be launching a new supercar. Good time to buy one though
Im selling my 135R partly due to the financial climate and also because i have a wedding coming up and the bills are starting to come in now.
The Elise is actually one of the best sports cars out there as they seem to return 35 - 40mpg, bloody ace fun too.
Mine is on the classifieds for those interested.
The Elise is actually one of the best sports cars out there as they seem to return 35 - 40mpg, bloody ace fun too.
Mine is on the classifieds for those interested.
I think with the relative inexpense of Lotus ownership that they'll fare just fine.
Good economy,cheap maintenance,good residuals and some being in low tax bands will definately appeal to the sportscar enthusiast with tightening purse strings.
Only downside will be people in £45k Exiges that are weekend toys
As for me,well my house would need to lose 60-70% of its value and i'd need to be out of work for 3 months before i give up my baby!
Good economy,cheap maintenance,good residuals and some being in low tax bands will definately appeal to the sportscar enthusiast with tightening purse strings.
Only downside will be people in £45k Exiges that are weekend toys
As for me,well my house would need to lose 60-70% of its value and i'd need to be out of work for 3 months before i give up my baby!
Interesting question, personally I think that if this is the beginning of the end (fuel, energy food, car residuals....) then at least I've made the most of it. If not, I'll ride out the storm. I suppose it depends on your financial situation, Personally, I have a mint S1 Exige worth whatever its worth, however, if I was to sell it because of the supposedly bad 18 months to come, then for me, it wouldn't even make a dent in the mortgage I have so I have a choice to make. Do I sit here and worry about job loss, recession and house reposession or do I get on and enjoy my car/life for what it is and if things hit the fan, deal with it at the time. I sold my esprit when I had children 4 years ago as I simply wasn't rich enough to have both while the better half brought up our daughters, likewise I'll sell the Exige if I lose my job any time soon. Meanwhile, however, I'll bl00dy well enjoy one of the most sublime, exciting drives I've ever had in the good company of friends and balls to Mr Brown and the doom and gloom :-) Now where did I leave that bottle of JD :-) Night all.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
At least with a car - if all goes pear shaped you can still drive it, not like shares!
Enjoy, and rest assured you still have good mpg!
and just to make you feel better about our depreciation. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/617672.htm (Still nice engine)
Enjoy, and rest assured you still have good mpg!
and just to make you feel better about our depreciation. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/617672.htm (Still nice engine)
Edited by Stu_00 on Wednesday 16th July 08:47
All the media frenzy behind the credit crunch makes my blood boil. I DESPISE the words "credit crunch". It has been fabricated in the media via blatant scaremongering tactics and the public are falling for it and panicking.
Yes some companies may be struggling but havent they always?? Builders of houses for example became far too greedy and are now seeing the other side of the coin. Maybe they should sell their houses at realistic prices and people may buy them, maybe they should stop buying land where kids used to be able to play football?? Personally i have no sympathy for that particular industry. I appreciate innocent tradesmen and Admin staff will lsoe jobs but hey THERE IS plenty of work out there if people get off their backsi.des and look.
PS
Sorry about the rant but i have just been charged £40 an hour by someone to stick tiles on a wall - tell me that isnt greedy or that he will be paying his tax and NI from it?? I dont earn that and i have served an apprenticeship and have a degree !!
Yes some companies may be struggling but havent they always?? Builders of houses for example became far too greedy and are now seeing the other side of the coin. Maybe they should sell their houses at realistic prices and people may buy them, maybe they should stop buying land where kids used to be able to play football?? Personally i have no sympathy for that particular industry. I appreciate innocent tradesmen and Admin staff will lsoe jobs but hey THERE IS plenty of work out there if people get off their backsi.des and look.
PS
Sorry about the rant but i have just been charged £40 an hour by someone to stick tiles on a wall - tell me that isnt greedy or that he will be paying his tax and NI from it?? I dont earn that and i have served an apprenticeship and have a degree !!
The biggest problem Lotus have is getting repeat custom from its existing clients. People who buy a Lotus tend to keep it and not upgrade for a new one as they come out..... They are just too good to start with.. and the new ones are not different enough to warrant the change....
What Lotus should push is their second hand market to try and push new car sales. A lot of people I talk to always expect my car to be a lot more expensive than it is. Lotus should push the fact you can own a Lotus sportscar (which is reliable unlike the old esprits) for the price of a hot hatch. I know what I would rather buy and thats what I did !
What Lotus should push is their second hand market to try and push new car sales. A lot of people I talk to always expect my car to be a lot more expensive than it is. Lotus should push the fact you can own a Lotus sportscar (which is reliable unlike the old esprits) for the price of a hot hatch. I know what I would rather buy and thats what I did !
Your ok - I see you have a nice S1 - Future Classic, good mpg etc.
If it all goes pear shaped that is much safer than most cars.
The more we moan about the crunch and save money the worst it will get.
My advice - book a weekend ferry ticket and enjoy the car, this will get rid of any problems.
If it all goes pear shaped that is much safer than most cars.
The more we moan about the crunch and save money the worst it will get.
My advice - book a weekend ferry ticket and enjoy the car, this will get rid of any problems.
Chris49 said:
chris7676 said:
Anyway, not na Elise related thread I would say.
Why on earth not? Lotus cars are a luxury consumable and I for one am a little concerned over not just the future for the company directly but also residuals of one of my most expensive assets.redesprits4s said:
Interesting question, personally I think that if this is the beginning of the end (fuel, energy food, car residuals....) then at least I've made the most of it. If not, I'll ride out the storm. I suppose it depends on your financial situation, Personally, I have a mint S1 Exige worth whatever its worth, however, if I was to sell it because of the supposedly bad 18 months to come, then for me, it wouldn't even make a dent in the mortgage I have so I have a choice to make. Do I sit here and worry about job loss, recession and house reposession or do I get on and enjoy my car/life for what it is and if things hit the fan, deal with it at the time. I sold my esprit when I had children 4 years ago as I simply wasn't rich enough to have both while the better half brought up our daughters, likewise I'll sell the Exige if I lose my job any time soon. Meanwhile, however, I'll bl00dy well enjoy one of the most sublime, exciting drives I've ever had in the good company of friends and balls to Mr Brown and the doom and gloom :-) Now where did I leave that bottle of JD :-) Night all.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
I couldn't agree more!Chris49 said:
So how do we think Lotus sales will fair?
Any concerns?
Todays post brought the first circular from a Lotus dealer offering discounts up to 5k off new cars - and what you would get on the forecourt would be even more. Sales will fall of course - my guess is that most Lotus drivers are younger people buying with spare cash, and as the spare cash goes so will the market. Most older folk without mortgages and job security problems would be Porsche etc customers.Any concerns?
Lotus will do well to survive the coming recession. If they were to go pop, then I would still have a wonderful car and there would still be just as few alternatives for those who dont want to drive yet another German box.
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