Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Is Lotus in real trouble

Historically MG's offered good performance for the money. In that respect there is a parallel with the modern version and they do, at least, also make a sportscar.

A few years ago who would ever have imagined that Bentley, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin and Porsche would be making SUV's ?

Peter, I managed to sit in one of the new electric M.G. roadsters in the showroom in Piccadilly last week, apart from being Chinese and electric it is a good looking little thing.

I must admit I felt that twinge of pain when the new Lotus released the battery powered elephants a couple of years back. It was the sign of a brand being used as a nameplate by it's new owners to my mind. It is interesting to compare the pricing at launch and now for the Emira alongside the Plus Six and new Supersport. Whilst the Supersport is far from cheap it does stand up when you consider the volume and labour costs involved.

I still have an itch for an Exige and my Aeros may well be replaced by one soon.

MG (in it's new form) has been around for quite a few years now, having left the name moribund for a long time. A small private local dealer near my work switched over to them instead of it's previous (Mitsubishi) offering. When I spoke to them they said they were doing far better with MG (MHEV and BEV) including the small Mini sized one. I see a lot of them running around the area as well as Hyundai/Kia.

I went into the new BYD dealership a few weeks back to ask how they were getting on with acceptance as well as the cars which seemed pretty impressive. They said that the biggest issue was MG being seen as more accepted and value.

What a bizarre world we live in.

I bought a 2005 Lotus Elise which arrived in mid-December 2004 (following nearly two years from when I placed my deposit after seeing it at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2003). Wonderful car - I was able to enjoy 95,000 miles of great driving in 19 years.

Unfortunately, the car was totaled in early 2024 when a 91-year old man pulled a bizarre maneuver and took me out (I was unhurt, except for some damage to my psyche).

It's been more than a year, and I finally acquired a replacement. I had decided to go for a Series 1 Alfa Romeo Spider. However, the opportunity to purchase a 2005 Morgan Roadster with 4,800 miles arose and I bought it a few weeks ago.

I love the car so far, although it's hard to tell since it doesn't handle or brake well with 9-year old tires. Getting those replaced this week and can't wait to see how the car really performs.

I will introduce myself and the car in the appropriate section once I have a chance to take a few photos.

Source Telegraph

Well it is in trouble it if has stopped production on the 27th May and not restarted..

So they are happy to make lardy electric elephants with Lotus badges in China but cannot keep the essence of the brand alive. I had higher opinions of the Chinese than that but the state controlled agenda is always hiding in the background.

It could just part of the US-China stupidity being caused by the despicable carrot topped leader where China is playing chess and TACO is playing drafts (misspilling intenshunul) but you do have to wonder?

Mind you a buy out (by II of Morgan ownership) could have serious benefits if this goes further. Blend in co-operation as a local base to the current owners of Caterham (Japanese VT Holdings?) and you could have serious benefits for low volume efficiency?

Lotus has risen from the ashes many times, maybe this might give it a better future? Less elephants more focus.

The 60`s Lotus was the first car I truly lusted after, thus Lotus will ever be special to me in that regard. I do hope that Lotus can indeed rise up again, more for the sake of those employed in the company than just the brand, given even MG appears on...err...well anything the owner of the brand name cares to stick it on..?

Alistair, I get where you are coming from in relation to your elephantine thinking with a Lotus badge attached.... However it seems similarly Porsche were apparently "saved" by very similar brand bast**erdisation of the brand..? Such is life is it not...?

I did a tour of Hethel with AngleMog recently. It would be yet another blow to the workers and UK manufacturing if this shut due to Trump

George ... speaking of unlikely scions of great marques ... I was surprised to see this in the car park of my local Tesco ... probably as common as muck 'Darn Sarf' but first one I've seen .... guessing it belongs to one of the big pelagic trawler owners.

Aston Martin making an SUV !! ... sacrilege!