FE I4 pricing no longer on US website

[DerTheDer]

So this is just for the I4 right and not the V6?

Both unfortunately. Speaking if I4 FE, I4 Base and V6 Base.

 

[DerTheDer]

If the 17-21% is true then I might be out! I wanted a second fun car for 80-90k. If I’m looking at 100k for a I4 360 hp then I’m out. Too many options in that price range and not be kept in the dark.

Completely agree!! Much better options out there, for lower the price range.

 

[grahamgreen]

Let’s hope pricing sticks to the words of Matt W… at least FE albeit this won’t help everyone.

Tend to agree the point that £70k is enough for 360hp. A nice used AMG GTS could be had for circa same money or AMV8, lots more other options.

Let’s see

 

[Captain.Kirk]

Which street did you hear this

I think it was a back alleyway that we should not go near for it is a scary place with dangerous rumours.

 

[Leonard]

I think it was a back alleyway that we should not go near for it is a scary place with dangerous rumours.

Sure as hell wasn't Sesame Street

 

[Captain.Kirk]

This would suck if true. It would price me out of the Emira for sure unless there's also an associated 6 month delay so I have extra time to save. I only budgeted ~$125k for this which includes PPF/Tint/Ceramic etc.

I have an existing reservation for a C8 which I have passed over twice because I like the Emira better and so far I’ve been willing to wait for. The C8 has for a long time had a configurator WITH prices even before it was released. The Emira needs to be competively priced otherwise I would have second thoughts about it’s purchase. We seem to be caught in a Lotus vortex and I’m getting dizzy.

 

[Twin Cam]

I think it was a back alleyway that we should not go near for it is a scary place with dangerous rumours.

And plenty of Bullshit too

 

[Rainier]

We seem to be caught in a Lotus vortex and I’m getting dizzy.

You'd better tell Scotty to put the engines in full reverse

 

[Lotustoronto]

Lotus is trying to figure out how much they can gauge for how long. Some of it is inflationary, some of it is supply shortages but they are also looking at the full order book and wondering what they can push. It's a very very precarious situation. We are in / heading into a recession that is going to rival 2008 and perhaps be worse in some areas of the world. The US in this case may be better insulated than say Europe or Asia. However, the pricing needs to make sense, otherwise we will be buying Emira's in the Europe and shipping them over here ourselves. (especially with currency exchange)

If I am not mistaken, foreign purchases don't pay VAT if importing them out of country. Even if we have to pay the duty/taxes in US, I believe there may still be a savings of around 20K. I don't think Lotus wants to get involved in this situation either. It probably wouldn't be personal people importing them, but dealers. Similar to how some US dealers will ship cars that are better priced here overseas for larger profits.

We would then see non-Lotus dealers selling brand new Emira's. What a disaster it would be.

 

[Lotustoronto]

To go one further, VAT in Spain is 20%

Emira V6 manual F/E is 85K EUR - 20% VAT = 70K EUR

70K EUR = 68K USD

Emira V6 F/E would cost 68K USD + Shipping + duty (2.5%)/state tax etc. - other changes to make it US compliant (like headlights may need to be changed to the amber turn indicators)

Not exactly sure on all these numbers, but it's a big reason as to why vehicles around the world need to priced in a way to avoid importing to be lucrative. The USD exchange rate is causing havoc for this situation to be a real issue.

 

[Twin Cam]

To go one further, VAT in Spain is 20%

Emira V6 manual F/E is 85K EUR - 20% VAT = 68K EUR

68K EUR = 66K USD

Emira V6 F/E would cost 66K USD + Shipping + duty (2.5%)/state tax etc. - other changes to make it US compliant (like headlights may need to be changed to the amber turn indicators)

Not exactly sure on all these numbers, but it's a big reason as to why vehicles around the world need to priced in a way to avoid importing to be lucrative. The USD exchange rate is causing havoc for this situation to be a real issue.

We had a similar situation in the UK around the early 2000’s
New cars and trucks where coming in from Cyprus, grey imports. It went on for a few years then the EU made it financially unviable. If it came to that in the USA/ Canada, (which I’m pretty sure it never will as Lotus won’t be putting the Emira price up 21%) sleepy Joe and the other snowflake would find a way to stop it, same as the EU did. No Government wants its citizens cutting them out of the deal

 

[Lotustoronto]

We had a similar situation in the UK around the early 2000’s
New cars and trucks where coming in from Cyprus, grey imports. It went on for a few years then the EU made it financially unviable. If it came to that in the USA/ Canada, (which I’m pretty sure it never will as Lotus won’t be putting the Emira price up 21%) sleepy Joe and the other snowflake would find a way to stop it, same as the EU did. No Government wants its citizens cutting them out of the deal

I agree, they will certainly find a way. But don't underestimate the American capitalism, they can do some serious damage in a couple years pushing them dollars around.

 

[Lotustoronto]

The main issue for buying overseas is that you'd have to do it all in cash up front. Other than that it might have better pricing but also shipping is crazy right now for cars. It was already $5k or so to do it cross country, I can't imagine what international would be like.

That is why I said it will be mostly dealers / large corp's. There are many large US luxury pre-owned car dealer networks in the US that would salivate at spending 10's of millions to make that kind of profit, if the demand is there for these cars.

 

[Twin Cam]

That is why I said it will be mostly dealers / large corp's. There are many large US luxury pre-owned car dealer networks in the US that would salivate at spending 10's of millions to make that kind of profit, if the demand is there for these cars.

Thing is, The new Lotus brand will not allow it’s cars to be sold this way, those days are gone. All imo
You have to remember the Emira is small change in the big picture, it’s a transition model to show the world they have changed, The big prize is the EV models on the world stage

 

[Lotustoronto]

Thing is, The new Lotus brand will not allow it’s cars to be sold this way, those days are gone. All imo
You have to remember the Emira is small change in the big picture, it’s a transition model to show the world they have changed, The big prize is the EV models on the world stage

They would not be able to control the situation. All it would take is for US buyer to place orders at every EU dealer. Spain/Belgium/Germany/Italy etc. Once the car has left UK and is paid for by the EU dealer they have no control on what happens.

The only way to prevent this, is by keeping the US dealer price low enough where it does not make it financially feasible. Or demand for the car drops off and nobody is willing to pay for it. Don't forget, there are some dealers charging above MSRP in the US... believe me, if there is a dollar to be made, they will sniff it out.

If I bought 200 Emira's next year all through EU dealer.... Spend about 14 Mil on the purchases and shipping - Sold them all for 100K USD... That is around 20 Mil. - 6 Mil profit, plus profit made on financing. Over 20% return during a recession on 14 Mil is not bad business. Especially if they know the lists at dealers are long enough. They may even push higher than 100K per unit depending.

It may not happen, but it certainly is possible.

 

[lion shf]

I have an existing reservation for a C8 which I have passed over twice because I like the Emira better and so far I’ve been willing to wait for. The C8 has for a long time had a configurator WITH prices even before it was released. The Emira needs to be competively priced otherwise I would have second thoughts about it’s purchase. We seem to be caught in a Lotus vortex and I’m getting dizzy.

I’m also on a 12 month c8 list. No way I’m paying $15k more for a lotus

 

[Twin Cam]

They would not be able to control the situation. All it would take is for US buyer to place orders at every EU dealer. Spain/Belgium/Germany/Italy etc. Once the car has left UK and is paid for by the EU dealer they have no control on what happens.

The only way to prevent this, is by keeping the US dealer price low enough where it does not make it financially feasible. Or demand for the car drops off and nobody is willing to pay for it. Don't forget, there are some dealers charging above MSRP in the US... believe me, if there is a dollar to be made, they will sniff it out.

I agree with your second paragraph, but not the first, anyway, I don’t see a problem with things as they are, officially appointed dealers are the only way to go longterm, one example is the warranty, if you buy a Rolex “cheap” alk well and good until you have a problem with it

 

[Eagle7]

About 2 weeks ago, I actually sent an email through Tammy to Matt, asking him to adjust the base prices and FE price based on the current exchange rates. I pointed out what the exchange rate was when the pricing was announced (the pound was worth $1.37 U.S.) and it's now $1.08. I pointed out that readjusting the base price of the £59,995 i4, would now put it at $64,995 U.S., $10k less than what it was, which would make it very competitive to the Corvette C8 which is now $67k. This does not require lowering the prices in the U.K. at all.

In addition, I pointed out how much better this revised pricing would position the Emira in the marketplace in the U.S., and would undoubtedly increase sales. I didn't get a reply back from either Tammy or Matt, but then suddenly the pricing is gone from the U.S. configurator. I don't know if my email got through and now they're considering my proposal, but the timing is certainly interesting. I hope they consider this, as it would open up the Emira as a very attractive alternative sports car to what many would otherwise be looking at. With the economy here as it is, dropping the base price by $10k would definitely get people's attention.

 

[eriegz]

Too many options in that price range

Like what?

 

[lion shf]

About 2 weeks ago, I actually sent an email through Tammy to Matt, asking him to adjust the base prices and FE price based on the current exchange rates. I pointed out what the exchange rate was when the pricing was announced (the pound was worth $1.37 U.S.) and it's now $1.08. I pointed out that readjusting the base price of the £59,995 i4, would now put it at $64,995 U.S., $10k less than what it was, which would make it very competitive to the Corvette C8 which is now $67k. This does not require lowering the prices in the U.K. at all.

In addition, I pointed out how much better this revised pricing would position the Emira in the marketplace in the U.S., and would undoubtedly increase sales. I didn't get a reply back from either Tammy or Matt, but then suddenly the pricing is gone from the U.S. configurator. I don't know if my email got through and now they're considering my proposal, but the timing is certainly interesting. I hope they consider this, as it would open up the Emira as a very attractive alternative sports car to what many would otherwise be looking at. With the economy here as it is, dropping the base price by $10k would definitely get people's attention.

I’m starting to appreciate you a bit more (even if Matt scored an office 3 pointer with your letter)