The Hethel-based sports car firm must clear plenty of hurdles before it can confidently claim to be a successful maker of 8000-plus SUVs a year in a brand-new Chinese factory. Yet its plan carries a rationality that has rarely been associated with previous Lotus revival bids.
Market demand for such cars is rising at an enormous rate in China. Lotus’s partner seems solidly founded; early views of the SUV look believable, yet different. Of course, Lotus has to produce a car as light and as great to drive as it says and at the quality levels discerning buyers require.
But, as CEO Jean-Marc Gales says, 80% of a car’s components come these days from big-name suppliers used to such projects, and China is full of them. The omens for success, we believe, are very good.
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If this isn't your thing, so
If this isn't your thing, so
have you actually driven?
"The story that Porsche HAD to build SUVs to survive was their excuse to sell their soul -- and everyone seems to have bought into the lie. From the 993-type 911 on, Porsche's sports cars have been highly profitable IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. Yes, the SUVs and sedans have been profitable -- Porsche made more money than they would have if they had stuck to sports cars. But that is a very different story than the "our survival depended on it" one that they tell. Oh, and that claim that they pour all those SUV profits into sports cars and that's why the sports cars are so great? Come on! Some of it probably, but there is no doubt that they pour a massive amount of that money into more SUVs (and sedans). Now here goes Lotus. So very sad"
Just wondering if you have actually driven a Cayenne or Macun? Because if you have and still make his comment I can't really understand your point. I've owned 14 Porsches (none of them SUVs) so I'm quite a fan - but can't see anything wrong with them diversifying to make more money. If the situation was that they'd stopped making great sports cars and built the SUVs instead I'd be on your side - but they haven't. I loved, and wish I'd kept the slim, air-cooled cars - but the reality is that the current 911/Boxster/Cayman line up is the strongest they have ever had. And, if you wanted a Range-Rover Sport or an Evoque as a second car, the Porsche alternatives make a strong case for themselves. Maybe stope putting companies in boxes?
Having driven both, the Macan