Lotus Technology 1H 2024 Financial Results

[crestima]

Lotus don't even make the body panels any more.

Wow, that's news, to me anyway. Who makes them then?

 

[seriously]

I heard something a while back about Geeley slowly turning the taps off at Lotus and its future is undetermined. They dont feel the brand has the enough prestige to carry off the EV transition and that Geeley are looking at Aston Martin as a potential route for this.

IMHO Lotus went too big on the EV thing too soon. This was a manufacturer who had a very small current portfolio of ICE sports cars and had essentially been carried by the Elise/Elixge for decades. They hadnt really released a new model since 2008.

I'm not overly concerned about what happens if they disappeared. It would be a huge shame as they're a great brand for the enthusiast but given the Emira is essentially an Evora and built largely out of Volvo/Toyoto and aftermarket parts, the only concern would be body panels. Someone should get the moulds and get decent carbon alternatives. I'd just strip the car down and make it a slightly larger and more civilised Exige.

Aston Martin would have been a better match for the luxury EV market. But if Geely didn't pick Lotus we wouldn't have the Emira so I'm not complaining.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I heard something a while back about Geeley slowly turning the taps off at Lotus and its future is undetermined. They dont feel the brand has the enough prestige to carry off the EV transition and that Geeley are looking at Aston Martin as a potential route for this.

Don't think this is true. Geely injected another US$110M into Lotus just three months ago. Sadly this massive cash injection will probably be wasted building fat expensive EVs that no one wants.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Wow, that's news, to me anyway. Who makes them then?

Teijin Automotive makes them in Pouancé, France. Teijin is a Japanese chemical company.

 

[crestima]

Teijin Automotive makes them in Pouancé, France. Teijin is a Japanese chemical company.

Great, are at least the Emira's bolts and screws made in England? Don't even bother Nick, it's just a rhetorical question...

 

[virtualmacho]

Teijin Automotive makes them in Pouancé, France. Teijin is a Japanese chemical company.

They make the ingredients in France, and form the panels in Portugal, according to something I read on the internet some time ago...

 

[FlashingBlade]

My point was that most parts could be sourced from other manufacturers, after market equivalents etc except the body panels. If lotus disappeared, it’s unlikely Teijin would continue with them (maybe AliExpress lol)

And they did say slowly turning off the cash flow taps. Not over night.

 

[Rob240]

Would everyone on this thread still buy an Emira if you knew the financial data that we know today?

Yes - just bought two

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

Yes - just bought two

Nice! For yourself? Specs? Let me guess one V6 MT and another i4? There are a couple of colors I love so much, but I can barely find space for one.

As for the original question, Yes, I consciously bought the car with the knowledge that Lotus could go bankrupt any moment (as always). I do not worry about resale and in 2.5 years I won't have any warranty any way.

 

[Rob240]

One for me and one for the wifey - both i4 as there’s virtually no V6 left in Australia and mine will get tuned don’t tell the wife . Also have tarmac rally / track Exige .

 

[Rob240]

 

[Jinba ittai]

Would everyone on this thread still buy an Emira if you knew the financial data that we know today?

Yup

 

[LotsOfTriumphsUsuallySexy]

View attachment 73554

That is such a beautiful color. It’s probably the color I would have picked had I not just picked from the dealer selection. White interior is great but scary (challenging to keep white).

 

[anshumanoz]

Yes - just bought two

A definite yes for me. it's just a matter of time, but i want to wait for real-world experience of the updates that they've said are going to be in MY26 models.

 

[anshumanoz]

One for me and one for the wifey - both i4 as there’s virtually no V6 left in Australia and mine will get tuned don’t tell the wife . Also have tarmac rally / track Exige .

I'm in australia too . Would love to know which dealer you bought it from, and when you get it tuned- from where.

 

[Rob240]

I'm in australia too . Would love to know which dealer you bought it from, and when you get it tuned- from where.

Simply Sports Cars in Sydney . They’re also in Melbourne and are great . Have a V6 Exige for tarmac rally and track so the Emira are for fun . Had an Evora previously after two disastrous forays into watercooled VW 911s ( massive motor problems in both ) . Evora was the best touring car have ever had .
I think SSC are looking into an i4 tuning package - make a perfect tarmac rally car .

 

[boisecrawfords]

Yes, without hesitation. The car is unbelievable. I love driving it slow, fast, to get groceries, or to cross state lines.