Pistonheads interview with Jean Marc Gales

[campbell]

Nice interview with JM Gales on PH...

'What happens to the £30,000 Elise in the new era is another question. "I frankly believe manufacturers of small sports cars will find it tough to survive," he says, without explicitly answering the question of whether the Elise will or won't be a survivor. Increased legislation and the need to turn a profit conspire against it. "Sales volumes are notoriously low, investment is notoriously high so you need to do your investment well. So it's not an easy task, but the juicy markets seem to be a bit more upmarket," he said.

So maybe it's time for another Esprit? "For brand building Lotus needs something above the Evora," he agreed. "It needs a poster car again." '

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/lotus- ... -ceo/37467

[rossybee]

Brown envelope?

[scott_e]

All positive news IMO. Really interesting what he was saying about "sports suppliers are notoriously unreliable sometimes" and how Geely parts mitigate these issues at the same time as helping costs. Would love to have a conversation with JMG, such a focused individual.

[ScottJ-PS]

That could be read either way. £30,000 Elise is still possible with Geely buying power from suppliers, OR S4 Elise would not be possible at £30,000 and is going upmarket to become £50,000.