Rant about Emira software quality

[OppositeLock]

I've also been doing this most of my life, and my code runs in all kinds of embedded systems, some in VAG cars, some in Daimler cars. I expect a lot from car software, and I was frustrated with the state of it in my Emira, since it locks up, and has no way to reset it without pulling over, and turning off the car, and waiting for the shutdown controller to power cycle the infotainment.

 

[Jolly R]

Got this from my dealer today. Along with a suggestion that I could cancel my order and receive my previously nonrefundable $10k deposit. Think I might accept their suggestion.

MY 27 EMIRA CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity Changes, Items No Longer Available
Manual SOS
Onboard navigation
Enhanced voice recognition
Bluetooth
Android Auto

• Wired Apple CarPlay Available

 

[CarGuy11]

Got this from my dealer today. Along with a suggestion that I could cancel my order and receive my previously nonrefundable $10k deposit. Think I might accept their suggestion.

MY 27 EMIRA CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity Changes, Items No Longer Available
Manual SOS
Onboard navigation
Enhanced voice recognition
Bluetooth
Android Auto

• Wired Apple CarPlay Available

Wait they are removing all of that?

 

[Tomwa]

As far as I understand, for the same reason Polestar is no longer going to be sold in the U.S.

Which is to say, data collected by Lotus via the infotainment and navigational system likely does not have sufficient separation from Chinese parent company Geely.

 

[CarGuy11]

As far as I understand, for the same reason Polestar is no longer going to be sold in the U.S.

Which is to say, data collected by Lotus via the infotainment and navigational system likely does not have sufficient separation from Chinese parent company Geely.

Wow crazy at least CarPlay still available and can probably buy a wireless adapter for it.

 

[Andrew25]

So this is a US only thing?

 

[Lotus F1]

Glad I haver a 1st edition.

 

[Kimmax]

... Bluetooth removed?
I'm not 1000% sure but I think you still need Bluetooth for calling even when using a wired connection

 

[CarGuy11]

Got this from my dealer today. Along with a suggestion that I could cancel my order and receive my previously nonrefundable $10k deposit. Think I might accept their suggestion.

MY 27 EMIRA CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity Changes, Items No Longer Available
Manual SOS
Onboard navigation
Enhanced voice recognition
Bluetooth
Android Auto

• Wired Apple CarPlay Available

Is this documented anywhere else? 2027 standard equipment list still includes these.

 

[Foosh]

I have yet to drive a modern car that doesn't have some sort of software "wonkiness." I just learn the quirks and find workarounds.

Use the mute button on the Waze settings to silence verbal guidance. I don't need a voice telling me where to go. I can follow the directions and heed the pop-up warnings on screen just fine.

 

[Porter]

So this is a US only thing?

Correct. For some reason the current US administration has decided to target Chinese bluetooth and vehicle infomatics chipsets for a regulatory crackdown, under the rationalization that it's a national security problem.

Volvo somehow has gotten a pass on this because the business entity they are sold under is Swedish. But for some reason Lotus is getting additional friction. Polestar, which is effectively a Volvo company (Polestar 3 literally built in a Volvo factory in South Carolina) has been banned outright. It's a mess.

 

[Jolly R]

Wait they are removing all of that?

That’s what it says.

 

[Foosh]

I'm hesitant to sound an alarm at this point, but I'm going to make sure that I carefully research what future Lotus-released software updates contain, so I don't lose any of the functionality of my '26.

 

[Jolly R]

I'm hesitant to sound an alarm at this point, but I'm going to make sure that I carefully research what future Lotus-released software updates contain, so I don't lose any of the functionality of my '26.

I verified today with dealer. All those “deletes” for 2027 orders are real. Hard to believe. I’ll update if I learn of anything new

 

[Beachbum]

The worrying aspect could be, will they retroactively update software on older models?
I hope/think not, but its certainly a possibility, even if a small one

 

[geoffbland]

The worrying aspect could be, will they retroactively update software on older models?
I hope/think not, but its certainly a possibility, even if a small one

This will just be for the US market due to new laws coming in.
It shouldn't affect other regions. It may be that they stop selling Lotus full stop in the US.

 

[rjm98107]

Wonder why official Lotus sites aren't updated with this? (Or maybe they are and I haven't located it).

This is pretty disturbing for the US Market, including for existing owners. I similarly worry about the software updates but also... this will assuredly tank sales or, as a someone mentioned above, possibly result in outright evacuation from the US market.

We already have enough stories of hardship when it comes to Lotus customer-service. About the only thing that would incentivize good or improved customer service would be that they want to build (or rebuild) positive brand sentiment. But if they pull out, what reason would they have to provide good/prompt customer service? (Geely, like a number of other auto companies, regardless of how Lotus themselves see it, often seem to demonstrate that it's all just a numbers game to them, and customer-obsession is not exactly the biggest motivating factor in how they operate).

I dunno... I'm worried.

 

[Beachbum]

This will just be for the US market due to new laws coming in.
It shouldn't affect other regions. It may be that they stop selling Lotus full stop in the US.

And Lotus are so good at rolling out region specific software!
I mean look at all the complaints in the US about the ADAS, its not legally required there, yet they get is, cos the EU must have it.

 

[geoffbland]

And Lotus are so good at rolling out region specific software!
I mean look at all the complaints in the US about the ADAS, its not legally required there, yet they get is, cos the EU must have it.

That's why I think they may well stop selling to the US when these new laws come into effect.
I don't think there is anyone left at Hethel to work on reworking the Emira in-car UI/UX.

https://alexfrangiamore.com/

Also interestingly, Conor McNally who designed a lot of the look of the Emira UI is now at Pinafarina.

https://www.conorwork.com/graphic

I also doubt they can use Lotus HyperOS in the Emira - as that is all developed in China so would fall foul of the US law even if it could work in the Emira.

 

[Foosh]

Wonder why official Lotus sites aren't updated with this? (Or maybe they are and I haven't located it).

This is pretty disturbing for the US Market, including for existing owners. I similarly worry about the software updates but also... this will assuredly tank sales or, as a someone mentioned above, possibly result in outright evacuation from the US market.

We already have enough stories of hardship when it comes to Lotus customer-service. About the only thing that would incentivize good or improved customer service would be that they want to build (or rebuild) positive brand sentiment. But if they pull out, what reason would they have to provide good/prompt customer service? (Geely, like a number of other auto companies, regardless of how Lotus themselves see it, often seem to demonstrate that it's all just a numbers game to them, and customer-obsession is not exactly the biggest motivating factor in how they operate).

I dunno... I'm worried.

I'm not going to venture into political commentary here, but this situation was clearly the result of the current POTUS radical tariff policies and the ensuing trade war, in particular with China. We've seen these policies constantly flip-flopping, so there is hope that this silly US policy interpretation for so-called "national security" reasons could be temporary. Lotus may not be saying much about this for that and other reasons.