07-11-2010, 08:49 PM
Along the same lines,
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/251283/">http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/251283/</a><!-- m -->
"As part of its attempt to re-position the brand as a competitor to Ferrari and Aston Martin, Lotus is axing its entire European dealer network in an effort to revamp the level of customer service provided by its sales centers.
Lotus CEO Dany Bahar alerted dealers that their contracts would not be renewed on July 18, 2012 (giving them two years notice, as per their contracts), however dealers are eligible to apply for a new contract under undisclosed terms.Lotus is expected to unviel their new strategy at the Paris Auto Show in September, but rumors say that they will abandon the hardcore "simplify and add lightness" mantra that has driven the company since its inception in favor of more luxurious Grand Touring cars. With the 2011 Elise able to get just under 40 mpg and emit minuscule amounts of C02 while still hitting 60 mph in 6 seconds, we're pretty confident that Lotus would benefit from staying the present course."
the "rumor" certainly goes along with everything they have been doing, and IMO is a absoultely abysmal business decision. Abandon a growing market that you have dominated in favor of an overcrowded, unstable, low volume and highly competitive market segment where the competition is entrenched and has much better branding (and where branding means everything short of the car itself)
I guess I wont sell my Exige after all. sounds like it will be the last true sports car
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/251283/">http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/251283/</a><!-- m -->
"As part of its attempt to re-position the brand as a competitor to Ferrari and Aston Martin, Lotus is axing its entire European dealer network in an effort to revamp the level of customer service provided by its sales centers.
Lotus CEO Dany Bahar alerted dealers that their contracts would not be renewed on July 18, 2012 (giving them two years notice, as per their contracts), however dealers are eligible to apply for a new contract under undisclosed terms.Lotus is expected to unviel their new strategy at the Paris Auto Show in September, but rumors say that they will abandon the hardcore "simplify and add lightness" mantra that has driven the company since its inception in favor of more luxurious Grand Touring cars. With the 2011 Elise able to get just under 40 mpg and emit minuscule amounts of C02 while still hitting 60 mph in 6 seconds, we're pretty confident that Lotus would benefit from staying the present course."
the "rumor" certainly goes along with everything they have been doing, and IMO is a absoultely abysmal business decision. Abandon a growing market that you have dominated in favor of an overcrowded, unstable, low volume and highly competitive market segment where the competition is entrenched and has much better branding (and where branding means everything short of the car itself)
I guess I wont sell my Exige after all. sounds like it will be the last true sports car