Lotus dealers in the UK will begin selling approved used cars.
Ever since Geely Auto took a 51% stake in Lotus Cars, the direction of the UK performance company has changed dramatically. They were once known for selling sports cars that were less focused on luxury and flash and more towards pure performance. Now they’re redirecting their efforts towards electric vehicles that are built in low quantities at very high prices.
In fact, 2021 will be the last production year for the legacy products, the Elise, Exige and Evora. What happens after that? Perhaps a step in the direction of Porsche.
In the meantime, Lotus is giving their dealers the opportunity to make a bit of money from used cars. In the UK, a new Lotus Approved Programme will be initiated, allowing dealers to make a bit of money from customers looking to sell pre-owned Lotus vehicles.
For customers looking to buy a pre-owned Lotus under this new Approved Programme, here are some of the benefits:
- Minimum 12-month warranty
- Full service history + HPI / Experian vehicle history check
- Vehicle Identity Check with Mileage Verification
- Multi-point vehicle inspection by a Lotus factory-trained technician
- 10-mile road test by a Lotus factory-trained technician
- Appropriate service and MoT if due within three months
- MoT Test Cover policy
- Full vehicle valet
- 12-month breakdown cover
On a more global scale, it’s rumoured that Lotus is looking to raise some US$1 billion in order to expand its operations into China. This was reported by Bloomberg, but very little information is available.
For more on this story, check out the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Lotus retailers in the UK are scheduled to fully reopen on 12 April 2021 and will do so with a significantly enhanced Lotus Approved programme.
‘Lotus Approved’ status can now be applied to any Lotus car up to 20 years of age provided it meets a strict set of criteria. These include comprehensive technical checks coupled with outstanding vehicle preparation, delivering a high-quality and consistent standard of pre-owned car throughout the Lotus network.
Attractive flexible finance will be available on all vehicles, and for many customers, Lotus Approved will provide the most affordable entry point into Lotus ownership.
Key features and benefits of the enhanced Lotus Approved programme are:
- Minimum 12-month warranty
- Full service history + HPI / Experian vehicle history check
- Vehicle Identity Check with Mileage Verification
- Multi-point vehicle inspection by a Lotus factory-trained technician
- 10-mile road test by a Lotus factory-trained technician
- Appropriate service and MoT if due within three months
- MoT Test Cover policy
- Full vehicle valet
- 12-month breakdown cover
In addition, every Lotus Approved car comes with a complementary Certificate of Provenance. This provides detailed vehicle information documents plus a selection of Lotus collectables, including an engraved aluminium plaque, a leather Lotus keyring, a presentation tin of four badges and a Lotus ink pen, presented in bespoke Lotus-branded gift box.
The Lotus Approved programme is being relaunched in the UK first and will expand into Europe and other international markets later this year.
