Press Release from Lotus, Lotus Elise Hits USA Rental Fleets - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 09-14-2006, 11:54 AM

RENT-A-DREAM!

LOTUS ELISE HITS USA RENTAL FLEETS

ATLANTA – September 14, 2006 – Lotus Cars USA, Inc., the exclusive distributor for Lotus sports cars in the United States and Canada, has today made the following announcement.

In response to the extraordinary popularity of the stunning Lotus Elise exotic sports car here in the USA, rental fleets across the country have now, for the first time ever, ordered a number of cars to be offered to their customers under various exotic car rental programs.

The Lotus Elise offers a formidable performance package and a reminder of what it’s really like to drive a true sports car. The Lotus Elise rental program opens up a world of nostalgia for some who remember the classic open top British sports cars of the 1950’s and 60’s and a world of discovery for those who are yet to experience a car whose styling is pure fashion, whose reactions are immediate and whose performance is so effortless that exhilaration comes standard!

“The adoption of the Lotus Elise by the rental companies is a strong confirmation of the desirability and durability of our car,” commented Lotus Cars USA, Inc. President and CEO, Robert A. Braner. “We know from discussions with our dealers that they have had numerous requests to rent exotic cars and the Elise is right there at the top of the list, having Lotus cars in rental fleets nationally will give many more people the chance to experience a truly amazing automobile.”

Due to limited availability, the first group of cars will be available only in the following states: California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. On a national rollout basis, more states will be added in the coming months.

The award-winning Lotus Elise is a driver’s delight – an open-topped, two-seat, 190 horsepower roadster weighing less than 2000 pounds. This light weight allows the Elise to be extraordinarily fun to drive with nimble steering, agile cornering, stout braking and snappy acceleration. Combine these unrivaled driving dynamics with stunning, sleek design and you have the seductive Lotus Elise.

deh20 · 09-14-2006, 11:56 AM

What do you think: is this how Lotus will clear out remaining '05 and '06 inventory? Not a bad idea...

Cardinal · 09-14-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deh20

What do you think: is this how Lotus will clear out remaining '05 and '06 inventory? Not a bad idea...

I think it's a GREAT idea. They can sell what current inventory is on the lots AND generate interest from some people who may not have been exposed to this car yet. It's a good plan.

I wonder which rental agencies will be dealing with these cars. Any ideas?

Allan Gibbs · 09-14-2006, 12:33 PM

Now if these rental cars have damaged clams, will they file insurance claims?

babak · 09-14-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal

I think it's a GREAT idea. They can sell what current inventory is on the lots AND generate interest from some people who may not have been exposed to this car yet. It's a good plan.

In my past I have tended to buy cars that I have driven for some time, the reverse is true as well. This will give people an opportunity to experience the car, it should work well for them. Dealers in the country do it all the time, just look at the loaner fleets that they have, and also a salesperson giving you something better than what you're driving while yours is in for service to entice you.

shay2nak · 09-14-2006, 12:36 PM

nice idea +1

zvezdah1 · 09-14-2006, 12:37 PM

great idea, it'll give people an opportunity to live with the cars for a period and decide whether they want em or not.

SweetDaddyD · 09-14-2006, 12:42 PM

Cool. I wonder if this is the first project by their new advertising company they hired?

Wonder how many people we'll get coming here that rented one in Arizona and found out the AC underperformed that of thier Hyundai? lol.

Wonder what kind of insurance ordeal or deposit people will have to (justifiably) go through?

Lotusmotion · 09-14-2006, 12:42 PM

The Lotus marketing gnomes are thinking!

Serebo1 · 09-14-2006, 12:45 PM

Three words: Lift throttle oversteer. Seriously, this would be my concern...hope no one gets hurt.

jeph · 09-14-2006, 12:47 PM

Thats cool, now when somthing breaks I will know where to turn. "I will take all the insurance please"

PhlypSide · 09-14-2006, 12:53 PM

Awesome! Now I have a plausible excuse to drive my "Secret Lotus" (sorry I forget where the thread of the same title is at the moment). I can just claim that the car isn't really mine and that I'm just renting it!

Plausible Deniability!

I should run for office or something.

MotorCade · 09-14-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Three words: Lift throttle oversteer. Seriously, this would be my concern...hope no one gets hurt.

Resale value up! Woohoo!

oh... I mean I hope no one gets hurt.

ok, I really mean I hope my insurance rates don't go up from this.

JnC · 09-14-2006, 01:01 PM

Hmmmm. So could we rent one to take to a track day or driving experience school? (Just to avoid wear, tear, and warranty denials)

Serebo1 · 09-14-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorCade

Resale value up! Woohoo!

oh... I mean I hope no one gets hurt.

ok, I really mean I hope my insurance rates don't go up from this.

Haha. I started to mention resale value up in my post but then took it out. Seriously folks, can you imagine this car in the hands of an inexperienced renter who drives a Hundai Sonata (for example) as a DD? You come to California, want a cool looking, fun "convertible" that you can cane the hell out of and not worry about, you know, as if you were renting a Boxster or something.

This is the attitude most people have when they rent a car. Only, the vast majority will have no idea what they're getting into.

rgk · 09-14-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm not sure I agree this is a wise move. I think it cheapens the brand to have Elises dumped in rental fleets. This is a dangerous way to move unsold inventory.

You don't see Boxsters, Caymans, Z4s, TTs or even Corvettes populating major rental car fleets because there is sufficient demand for those vehicles. Farming out vehicles to rental fleets diminishes the exclusivity of a premium brand and ultimately cheapens the product. What's so special about any car you can rent from Hertz or Alamo?

Ford was forced to dump its selling X-Types in rental fleets. Ditto for Chrysler with the Crossfire (even selling some through overstock.com). Neither of these vehicles even remotely benefited from their presence in the rental car parking lots. In fact, their presence in the rental fleets ultimately underscored the undesirability of those vehicles.

The Hertz Mustang is the sole exception to the general rule that the best cars don't show up as rentals. The Hertz Mustang trades on the nostalgia and novelty of the original 350H and is primarily intended to serve as a halo to the garden variety Mustangs at the Ford dealership lots.

Lotus needs to bite the bullet and take the hit on its excess inventory and then adjust its production numbers to meet the annual demand. And as we know, that annual demand is plainly significantly less than the numbers sold in the Elise's maiden year.

AgentTripleX · 09-14-2006, 01:17 PM

They better mention if they hit anything or anyone backs into them it's going to be 23k to fix!

wallabyguy · 09-14-2006, 01:29 PM

Don't ask what the "additional" insurance coverage costs.

NCZ06 · 09-14-2006, 01:35 PM

I'd be tempted to rent one just so I don't have to wait another 22k miles before I can try a standing start with no warranty implications.

jhnmdahl · 09-14-2006, 01:44 PM

I have a feeling most rental companies self-insure for damage not covered by the driver's insurance, so hopefully it won't result in higher insurance rates but will simply increase the availability of spare parts.

Lotus's comment regarding this demonstrating durability seems premature. If people start spinning them, or heaven forbid hitting curbs or driving hard on the street and breaking rear toe links, people will quickly realize how durable these cars really are.

John

09-14-2006, 11:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,174 Images: 761	Press Release from Lotus, Lotus Elise Hits USA Rental Fleets RENT-A-DREAM! LOTUS ELISE HITS USA RENTAL FLEETS ATLANTA – September 14, 2006 – Lotus Cars USA, Inc., the exclusive distributor for Lotus sports cars in the United States and Canada, has today made the following announcement. In response to the extraordinary popularity of the stunning Lotus Elise exotic sports car here in the USA, rental fleets across the country have now, for the first time ever, ordered a number of cars to be offered to their customers under various exotic car rental programs. The Lotus Elise offers a formidable performance package and a reminder of what it’s really like to drive a true sports car. The Lotus Elise rental program opens up a world of nostalgia for some who remember the classic open top British sports cars of the 1950’s and 60’s and a world of discovery for those who are yet to experience a car whose styling is pure fashion, whose reactions are immediate and whose performance is so effortless that exhilaration comes standard! “The adoption of the Lotus Elise by the rental companies is a strong confirmation of the desirability and durability of our car,” commented Lotus Cars USA, Inc. President and CEO, Robert A. Braner. “We know from discussions with our dealers that they have had numerous requests to rent exotic cars and the Elise is right there at the top of the list, having Lotus cars in rental fleets nationally will give many more people the chance to experience a truly amazing automobile.” Due to limited availability, the first group of cars will be available only in the following states: California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. On a national rollout basis, more states will be added in the coming months. The award-winning Lotus Elise is a driver’s delight – an open-topped, two-seat, 190 horsepower roadster weighing less than 2000 pounds. This light weight allows the Elise to be extraordinarily fun to drive with nimble steering, agile cornering, stout braking and snappy acceleration. Combine these unrivaled driving dynamics with stunning, sleek design and you have the seductive Lotus Elise. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! 2006 Noble M400. Getrag tranny, Quaiffe LSD, Hinged clams. Duratec dual turbo V6. Hoosier 315-18 tires. 2350 pounds. Over 500hp. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Wing. Black leather/Alcantara with orange stitching. The street car. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle.

09-14-2006, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,042	nice idea +1 __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

09-14-2006, 12:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
zvezdah1 eliseaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: georgia Posts: 6,773	great idea, it'll give people an opportunity to live with the cars for a period and decide whether they want em or not. __________________ Chris Club111 #3 06 Solar yellow/Touring/Traction Ctrl/Blk Whl Pkg/Strshld

09-14-2006, 12:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lotusmotion Keep it simple and real Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 925	The Lotus marketing gnomes are thinking! __________________ '06 Exige - Ph. Black/Touring/Track/LSD/TC/SS. Mods: corner balanced - RTD brace - Manly's inserts - decambered - Pagid Blacks - Motul fluid - tow hooks - Schroth belts - extinguisher - AIM timer - Green Filter - Larini - oil temp & pressure gauges - AO48s & Rotas on track - T1Rs & OEM wheels on street - rear camera & monitor - Stebel horn - speakers upgraded, sub & iPod controller - DRL disable switch - aux. fuse panel - sill pockets - leather console - Bootie - roof scoop functional.

09-14-2006, 12:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
Serebo1 fm78.tv - check it. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,824 Images: 4	Three words: Lift throttle oversteer. Seriously, this would be my concern...hope no one gets hurt. __________________ Matte Black, Sport, Touring, ***** intake (TBA), RAC Mono wheels, Painted Shift knob, smoked turn signals, Alpine SPS 6.5" rear speakers, MB Quarts, JVC Nav, Starshield, LBH exhaust, Dpic perf. gauge, Custom true HID projectors, GUT wing and splitter, Mesh side pods, Sector111 harness bar and 4-point harness, Lotus Sport Ohlins double-adjustable suspension, swaybar, '06 LED tailights, Toda flywheel, Lotusport interior.

09-14-2006, 11:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
deh20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 55	What do you think: is this how Lotus will clear out remaining '05 and '06 inventory? Not a bad idea...

09-14-2006, 12:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,399	Now if these rental cars have damaged clams, will they file insurance claims?

09-14-2006, 12:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	Cool. I wonder if this is the first project by their new advertising company they hired? Wonder how many people we'll get coming here that rented one in Arizona and found out the AC underperformed that of thier Hyundai? lol. Wonder what kind of insurance ordeal or deposit people will have to (justifiably) go through?

09-14-2006, 12:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
jeph Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 347	Thats cool, now when somthing breaks I will know where to turn. "I will take all the insurance please"

09-14-2006, 12:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
PhlypSide My Lotus hates my bike. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,452 Images: 9	Awesome! Now I have a plausible excuse to drive my "Secret Lotus" (sorry I forget where the thread of the same title is at the moment). I can just claim that the car isn't really mine and that I'm just renting it! Plausible Deniability! I should run for office or something.

09-14-2006, 01:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
JnC Thread unraveler Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,887	Hmmmm. So could we rent one to take to a track day or driving experience school? (Just to avoid wear, tear, and warranty denials) __________________ 2007 Cross Country Travelblog 06 Lotus Elise :: Chrome Orange :: Base :: Black Pack :: TC :: SS 00 VW Golf GLS TDI

09-14-2006, 01:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
rgk Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	I'm not sure I agree this is a wise move. I think it cheapens the brand to have Elises dumped in rental fleets. This is a dangerous way to move unsold inventory. You don't see Boxsters, Caymans, Z4s, TTs or even Corvettes populating major rental car fleets because there is sufficient demand for those vehicles. Farming out vehicles to rental fleets diminishes the exclusivity of a premium brand and ultimately cheapens the product. What's so special about any car you can rent from Hertz or Alamo? Ford was forced to dump its selling X-Types in rental fleets. Ditto for Chrysler with the Crossfire (even selling some through overstock.com). Neither of these vehicles even remotely benefited from their presence in the rental car parking lots. In fact, their presence in the rental fleets ultimately underscored the undesirability of those vehicles. The Hertz Mustang is the sole exception to the general rule that the best cars don't show up as rentals. The Hertz Mustang trades on the nostalgia and novelty of the original 350H and is primarily intended to serve as a halo to the garden variety Mustangs at the Ford dealership lots. Lotus needs to bite the bullet and take the hit on its excess inventory and then adjust its production numbers to meet the annual demand. And as we know, that annual demand is plainly significantly less than the numbers sold in the Elise's maiden year.

09-14-2006, 01:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
AgentTripleX #101 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 3,100	They better mention if they hit anything or anyone backs into them it's going to be 23k to fix! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/SPRVXN www.twitter.com/autoVXNS http://sprvxn.tumblr.com/ "We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage." Albert Camus "The refusal to choose is a form of choice; disbelief is a form of belief." Frank Barron

09-14-2006, 01:29 PM	#18 (permalink)
wallabyguy Not Dead Yet Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,892	Don't ask what the "additional" insurance coverage costs. __________________ former Lotus Sales Robert (aka Sith Lord of LBL) 74 Elite 502 05 Elise (Snuffalupagous..RIP : Laser Blue, Black Leather, Touring Pack, Hardtop ) The Wallaby Will Ride Again

09-14-2006, 01:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
NCZ06 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 734	I'd be tempted to rent one just so I don't have to wait another 22k miles before I can try a standing start with no warranty implications. __________________ 2005 Lotus Elise - Ardent Red - Touring / HT / SS / Larini / Micromirror / Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s / Audiovox CCS100 Cruise Control 2002 Honda Civic Si - Flamenco Black Pearl

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09-14-2006, 01:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
jhnmdahl Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 821	I have a feeling most rental companies self-insure for damage not covered by the driver's insurance, so hopefully it won't result in higher insurance rates but will simply increase the availability of spare parts. Lotus's comment regarding this demonstrating durability seems premature. If people start spinning them, or heaven forbid hitting curbs or driving hard on the street and breaking rear toe links, people will quickly realize how durable these cars really are. John