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

 

[Lotustoronto]

Seems you know a lot more details than I do. However, I imagine that Geely funding came with some level of influence and I think I can see it in the Eletre and the Emeya execution. These vehicles are antithetical to everything Lotus has traditionally stood for. I agree the world was headed to EVs back then. I think the Evija did it in a way that respects the Lotus brand (hydraulics in the steering, conventional brakes, focus on dynamics) and I was optimistic that the Type 135 was going to as well. The Emeya and Eletre seem like they slapped a lotus logo on some other brand’s product.

I hear ya, and the EV’s aren’t very Lotus. But everyone does it. The Bentley Bentega / Porsche Cayene and Q7 are all a VW Touareg. I think the Lambo Urus is on the same platform with VW parts stamped all over.

 

[NJemira85]

My opinion is based on my experience as a frustrated buyer. I'm still waiting for my Emira, going on for 14 months now. I don't understand why UK was flooded with Emiras while the US supply is just a trickle. I don't work for Lotus but I think there were several buyers in the US who have orders but just walked away due to the long wait . This is lost opportunity for Lotus which was under Windle's leadership. Lotus, ship your darn cars to the US while people are still interested. Don't leave money on the table. I'm sure dealers are frustrated as well, having a list of eager customers but no cars to sell. Lotus, you have customers. Make them well and ship them fast.

There are lots of cars for sale in us. Just have one shipped to you

 

[NJemira85]

I hear ya, and the EV’s aren’t very Lotus. But everyone does it. The Bentley Bentega / Porsche Cayene and Q7 are all a VW Touareg. I think the Lambo Urus is on the same platform with VW parts stamped all over.

Yes lambo is same.

Ironically, the bentayga at least got its own unique engine (w12tt).

The rest all have identical v8