Matt Windle promoted, says he wants to build more cars at Hethel

Hot off the presses!

Lotus has a new European boss – and he wants to build more cars at the firm's Norfolk factory | Autocar

Production at the brand's UK base could be broadened, says Matt Windle, potentially to include the Polestar 6

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[seriously]

According to Autocar:

Exclusive: Lotus to name new Europe head following shock departure of boss after just few months in post | Autocar

Company's Chinese HQ takes a tighter rein as Europe boss Matt Windle steps down after four months

www.autocar.co.uk

Really bad. I have a well functioning Emira, so I'm happy. But this would make me hesitate if I was in the market for a new one...

 

[Foxy87]

Really bad. I have a well functioning Emira, so I'm happy. But this would make me hesitate if I was in the market for a new one...

Why exactly?

 

[Eagle7]

Really bad. I have a well functioning Emira, so I'm happy. But this would make me hesitate if I was in the market for a new one...

Yeah, this doesn't feel good at all.

 

[seriously]

Why exactly?

I just don’t trust the direction Geely wants to take. With an insider Lotus guy at the helm it feels like you have someone on your side. When every dissenting voice is kicked out, then you don’t feel good about the brand’s future direction. As a prospective buyer I might still be enticed by the “last ICE” marketing. It’s really the “last lotus” Lotus will make at this point.

 

[me73]

Why exactly?

Someone who comes from within the company understands the things that make the brand identity. They've been engolfed in the culture and understand what is valued by both customers and employees. Bringing in an outsider without perspective or even worse an agenda without context will generisize until it's unrecognizable.

 

[Lotustoronto]

This is from Autocar regarding the new UK/EU boss "Mao joined Lotus in 2022 as president of China operations after moving from Lincoln, where she was head of Asia Pacific and China for the US premium brand. Prior to that, she was head of marketing in China for Mercedes-Benz after building a career in journalism."
It's not like she does not have experience working with high end brands from the US / EU. It is an impressive resume and arguably better than Matt Windle's in terms of experience at C-Suite levels.

Let's remember that Windle was part of building Lotus' Vision 80 timeline - this was back in 2017/2018, when Tesla was the darling of the Auto industry and everyone was pivoting to EV. (including government emissions bans) Windle came from working at Tesla, let's not forget that. He was more instrumental in going full EV than many here think. Take a read of this older interview to get perspective, than it will make more sense why Geely is needing to step in on the UK operations side.

Lotus Boss Matt Windle Talks Evija Delays, Emira Hype, and Big Plans for the 2020s

He's got one of the best jobs in automotive, but convincing generations of Lotus fans to love EVs might be harder than it looks.

www.thedrive.com

 

[me73]

This is from Autocar regarding the new UK/EU boss "Mao joined Lotus in 2022 as president of China operations after moving from Lincoln, where she was head of Asia Pacific and China for the US premium brand. Prior to that, she was head of marketing in China for Mercedes-Benz after building a career in journalism."
It's not like she does not have experience working with high end brands from the US / EU. It is an impressive resume and arguably better than Matt Windle's in terms of experience at C-Suite levels.

Let's remember that Windle was part of building Lotus' Vision 80 timeline - this was back in 2017/2018, when Tesla was the darling of the Auto industry and everyone was pivoting to EV. (including government emissions bans) Windle came from working at Tesla, let's not forget that. He was more instrumental in going full EV than many here think. Take a read of this older interview to get perspective, than it will make more sense why Geely is needing to step in on the UK operations side.

Lotus Boss Matt Windle Talks Evija Delays, Emira Hype, and Big Plans for the 2020s

He's got one of the best jobs in automotive, but convincing generations of Lotus fans to love EVs might be harder than it looks.

www.thedrive.com

So Mao has never worked in Hethel. I wonder how much interaction he's had with the people working the line and if he believes in Chapman's principles.

 

[Orchardbike]

So Mao has never worked in Hethel. I wonder how much interaction he's had with the people working the line and if he believes in Chapman's principles.

The best thing for lotus would be if they believe in actual customer care.

 

[seriously]

Hmm, so a publicity/branding background with expertise in the Chinese/Asian market promoting luxury brands. Do you think she knows how to drive a manual or even likes sports cars? A luxury brand's idea of a sports car is probably the polar opposite of Chapman's ideals. This is a good fit for the Eletre, but not the Emira. Hopefully she finds a way to keep the company afloat.