Scottish Elises

J M Gales reportedly left lotus abruptly today according to Auto car...

Wonder if it’s a difference of opinion on the brand since Geely stepped in.

On pistonheads too...........

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/genera ... otus/38134

Wasn't he brought in to make Lotus profitable - tick, job done.
But that is a hasty exit and smacks of a fallout or strop thrown by one party or the other. Let's hope the new CE takes things to the next stage and there isn't a re-evaluation while he checks where they got to in the plan and decides if it's still the right plan.......

Aye. I infer artistic differences and/or the iron will of the Chinese. But JMG achieved much and many great leaders don't stay with the same business forever. There is room for emotion, but not sentiment.

The King is dead etc.

Seems to be some questions as to whether he jumped or was pushed, but one thing I feel pretty confident in saying is that Geely did't buy Lotus for them to remain as relative minnows in the car world.

Larger car manufacturers make halo models which make little money vs. their fleet of normal cars. Lotus only makes halo models.
Everyone talks about them going up market, and of course there is money to be made doing that, McLaren are a good example, but is there enough money to be made?
I think then plans will be bigger than that. What does the Chinese market want for example?
Lotus and SUV has been mentioned in the same sentence for years now, that's one direction, I'm sure others will be thought of and carried out too.

Personally, I'm keen to see what happens.

From July 2011 when the first 12c was delivered McLaren had built and sold 10,000 cars (up to 15 Dec 2016). So 2000 a year roughly but now they have more models covering a wider price range so could shift many more. So I think you can safely say there is room in the premium car market for the right products. There Halo model was the P1 and now the Senna I guess Lotus has the 430 Evora and Exige so kinda the same business model if a few rungs down the ladder. Certainly opportunity to move up the ladder but they will need a new improved concept to do that. You won't do it redressing the current chassis. People expect cutting edge at the higher price points. And would probably need their own engine rather than an Avensis lump.

I will hazard a guess that at least a couple of (truly) new models are ready to break cover, perhaps with reworked chassis and everything, to move the game on. Almost certainly with help from the Volvo parts bin and Quality Dept. Presumably one is a new Elise. If they get it right they will be untouchable, just like 20 years ago. And if they have the resources, a "new Esprit" will move the game on considerably too.

I know our Graeme can't say anything really, but I'll guess he is gnashing his teeth