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A&Q about Lotus

Q: Originally Posted by Serebo1 And Crow, I DO have a problem with Lotus opening a dealership so close to Southbay. Southbay earned the business in this area by providing the best customer service most people in this area have ever had - in ANY business we deal with. They more than met the needs of their coverage area. You REWARD that kind of service, not smack it in the face. I'm sorry, but IMHO, on this one I feel Lotus is simply wrong, and NOT demonstrating the class of behavior one would like to associate with the brand. Frankly, it seems...whorish to me.


Oh come on, a car market the size of LA can surely handle another Lotus dealer. You want Lotus to survive? Well they need to sell cars to do it.
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Again......This is a No Brainer........Another Lotus Dealer in So. Cal is GREAT! When buying new, it's all about price. You can take your new car to South Bay if you love the service. If Beverly Hills adds more competition to the bottom line price, more power to them. Have your car serviced at any new dealership of your choice.

P.S. Are they giving away free drugs at South Bay?
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Originally Posted by Spudboy Oh come on, a car market the size of LA can surely handle another Lotus dealer. You want Lotus to survive? Well they need to sell cars to do it.
Yes, LA can handle ten Lotus dealers, but that's not the point, nor is Lotus' immediate survival. I'd say Lotus' long-term survival is. IMO, Lotus will get more of a benefit by pouring their resources into dealer support and advertising rather than popping up dealerships every five miles. This reeks of short-term, unimaginative thinking to me. How happy would you imagine their #1 dealership is feeling right now? Let's look at the worst-case scenario, completely hypothetical, of course. Suppose Southbay, a proven entity, decides that after the investment they've put into Lotus (building a new dealership, etc.), that they feel like the newlywed who's just met the mistress. Suppose they say, eh, who needs this, and decides to become a Lambo dealership, or close altogether and continue to make their fortune with their BMW dealership. If BH, an unproven entity would for whatever reason, not work out, then where is Lotus left? Not too smart. It's a matter of smart business, as well as ethics. They usually go hand in hand. Again, just my opinion, and we can agree to disagree.
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The Distance between Hermosa Beach and Beverly Hills? That's far apart enough for me. Again, the competition helps the consumer! No offense to the South Bay worshippers......
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Originally Posted by kaz If there somehow in this universe is another dealer like Southbay, with their own Abe, Qais, George and Skeeter...then dayamn, the universe got a lot better. I will say though, I love walking by the Bevery Hills dealer - they have perfected the art of lust window shopping.
There is

It is Newport European

They have Don, Eric and Kevin
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Originally Posted by ntouched The Distance between Hermosa Beach and Beverly Hills? That's far apart enough for me. Again, the competition helps the consumer! No offense to the South Bay worshippers......
I completely understand, you've made that more than clear. But we're not talking about a better price on canned tuna here. We're talking about a car we all love, and a company (Lotus) that we'd like to see remain in business. So, any comment on the rest of my point?
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Originally Posted by Crow331 I'll take you to Vegas ... first stop ... the little white chapel drive thru
I think we should at least have a first date... be in LA soon.


Seriously though, ya'll can buy a Lotus from any dealer in the US and you don't have to drive or fly there to pick up your car. You can have it delivered to your doorstep. Go figure. And you get a free trip to Vegas and a fun track day.
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Originally Posted by Serebo1 I completely understand, you've made that more than clear. But we're not talking about a better price on canned tuna here. We're talking about a car we all love, and a company (Lotus) that we'd like to see remain in business. So, any comment on the rest of my point?
Your other point is completely hypothetical. There is no way to predict that will happen. And LA is probably the only market that WOULD support a dealership every five miles.
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Originally Posted by Spudboy Your other point is completely hypothetical. There is no way to predict that will happen. And LA is probably the only market that WOULD support a dealership every five miles.
You're sidestepping. Whether they decide to close or not, surely you can't think they're happy with this. It's tantamount to a corporation taking their top salesman, who just had his best year, and taking his territory away. Is this or is this not, poor business?
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I have to say that I love all the response. I am not here to take business away from South Bay and I am glad to here they are making so many people happy. That is rare in our business. I can say that we are far enough away that we should not be threat to them. I am sure they are far more worried about the ten or twenty BMW dealers with 10 miles of them. That being said growth of a good product is a good thing. Think of all the customers north of BH and how far they would have to drive to South Bay. Think of the local customers that all ready own a vehicle and would have to drive an hour and half for an oil change. Our owner has been commented to the neighborhood and customers for years. He owns OC Lambo and is the largest in the world. Not to mentions that he has a loyal following and the love of the factory and customers. We bring a fresh face to plate and a great owner. I have been in the business for over 10 years and have worked at great dealers and bad dealers(Beverly Hills Porsche Audi). I like to think I provide great service to valued customers before and after the sale.

The second point I guess alot of you missed is the Vegas trip is from Lotus and not from Beverly Hills Lotus. You can still purchase your lotus from South Bay and get the offer. That is not to say we would not love to have your business as well. I think three lotus dealers within 150 miles is a safe amount of dealers and enough business for someone. Thanks for the feed back and always free to answer any questions you may have.

Brandon

P.S. Did I mention our owner is on the Lotus Design Board?
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Originally Posted by AgentTripleX I think we should at least have a first date... be in LA soon.
You're on. But you have to have me home by midnight, my mom gets very upset if I come in too late.

Can I drive your baby?
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Originally Posted by Avi Why should we come to you, and why is it better then what we are already happy with?
I am kind of annoyed with Lotus of Beverly Hills already. Huge push on ET to get the word out, but sorry to say South Bay has a huge following and lots of us feel there is no need for your dealership.

Who's we? I think BH Lotus makes a great incentive to buy from them...assuming they sell at the same price as any reasonable dealership. Money talks, B.S. walks. Don't be such a South Bay Nazi, Avi and let this dude sell his cars! Options and competition are always a good thing in business. My two bits. MINUS ONE for you! (-1).
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Originally Posted by AgentTripleX I think we should at least have a first date... be in LA soon.


Seriously though, ya'll can buy a Lotus from any dealer in the US and you don't have to drive or fly there to pick up your car. You can have it delivered to your doorstep. Go figure. And you get a free trip to Vegas and a fun track day.
Does anyone know if they flying people from the East Coast also???

Lotus, don't forget about the other 1/2 of the country!
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Originally Posted by Crow331 You're on. But you have to have me home by midnight, my mom gets very upset if I come in too late.

Can I drive your baby?
That's what all the boys say. How old are ya?

Originally Posted by Needspeed Does anyone know if they flying people from the East Coast also???

Lotus, don't forget about the other 1/2 of the country!
Details below
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Originally Posted by Needspeed Does anyone know if they flying people from the East Coast also???

Lotus, don't forget about the other 1/2 of the country!

Not sure if the promotion is on the east coast but I can look into it on Monday if you like. If you have a local Lotus dealer you can ask them. I know they will fly customers from anywhere in Cali to Vegas.
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Yes it is and we are offering it as well.
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What can I say about Las Vegas... I'm here. I drove here. The roads are so slick (from dust and asphalt) that you can drift at every intersection. Not many cops. I'm starting to find the "cool" places to park along The Strip. I wish Lotus would at least pay for my gas to Vegas. I think I was the first privately owned Exige to come to Vegas (any other takers out there?). You can drive real fast on the 160 to 95 and back to Vegas. The climb up Mt. Charleston is fast and straight. Blah, blah. I need to take some more photos and postem.
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Originally Posted by AgentTripleX That's what all the boys say. How old are ya?
Details below
Lemme check my birth certificate.

37 as of June 21 ... I think that's legal driving age here in California

And you? Nowwwwwwwww can I drive your baby?
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Originally Posted by ntouched Again......This is a No Brainer........Another Lotus Dealer in So. Cal is GREAT! When buying new, it's all about price. You can take your new car to South Bay if you love the service. If Beverly Hills adds more competition to the bottom line price, more power to them. Have your car serviced at any new dealership of your choice.

P.S. Are they giving away free drugs at South Bay?
I agree! While the rest of you are loyal to South Bay (and I think that's very admirable), I'm loyal to my pocketbook. Wherever I think the best deal is for me and my wallet, that's where I'll buy my car. I'll get it serviced at Lotus BH because of convenience but you can bet your ass if they don't do a good job I will be taking it down to South Bay as well.
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Originally Posted by Serebo1 Crow, have you purchased your car from them yet? I would be curious to know the level of service they provide you. What did you decide to go with? Again, it's nothing personal.
I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, I just know that I am not buying a BRAND NEW car. Don't want it to end up like the '05's the second I drive it off the lot.

Plus I'm still deciding on the color. I think that between red (2), yellow, orange or titanium, my color will be decided by the "best deal" in those 5 colors and I will be happy with any of them.