[Win]

Lotus expects to bring in 1,100 Elises in 2004 and about 2,400 in the fiscal year that starts April 1, 2005, says John English, CEO of the U.S. subsidiary

........

The largest dealers are expected to sell 100 to 140 Elises a year, and the smallest about 10 to 12 cars, English says.



http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01844001

 

[Gromit]

"English expects to add another dealership in California within two weeks." - I guess he's talking about Galpin. Which leaves 9 more dealers to start up in the next year.

 

[jml1952]

1100 cars would just about cover the orders taken to date. I would like to believe him, but I doubt that they can actually deliver that total by the December 31st given the shipping time. With luck, they could produce that many by the end of the year.

2400 cars into 50 dealers equals 48 cars per year. So if you give one dealer 100 cars and one dealer 10 cars, you still are over the average. If you give one dealer 140 cars and two dealers 10 cars, you still are over the average.

So, if a few whales are in the "largest" category, it will take several minnows in the "smallest" category to offset them. Not going to be too good for customers that have signed up with the little guys.

 

[Win]

Where is Ridgeman when you need him??

 

[Vantage]

2400 cars into 50 dealers equals 48 cars per year. So if you give one dealer 100 cars and one dealer 10 cars, you still are over the average.

There are more medium and small dealers than large dealers, presumably. Does that sound fair?


Where does Ridgeman get his info? He seems to speculate on this issue quite widely. His projections do seem plausible however.

 

[TimMullen]

Autoweek is notoriously incorrect in all things Lotus...

Tim Mullen

 

[Randy Chase]

Autoweek is notoriously incorrect in all things.

Tim Mullen

Fixed.

 

[BrianK]

So this reads like those of us over #30 at our dealerships shouldn't expect a car until April of Next year?!?! Am I reading that right?

 

[Randy Chase]

Brian, I think allocations are going to make more of a difference.

 

[jml1952]

So this reads like those of us over #30 at our dealerships shouldn't expect a car until April of Next year?!?! Am I reading that right?

Mind the gap - he didn't say anything about what would happen in January, February and March. When they ramp up to full speed in November, a lot of cars could be produced in a few months, so there could be substantial deliveries during the first quarter of 2005.

 

[James A]

When I toured the factory two weeks ago I was told they would be caught up on American production in September and that the assembly line is at full throughput. By the way my tour was 2 1/2 hours and toward the end there were employees working overtime to insure that production did get caught up. I was very impressed with what I saw and the throughput now in place.