Lotus has launched the “Lotus Drive” e-commerce platform where prospective customers can configure their car, choose a payment method, see how much money they can save from a trade-in, and place the order. The platform is only available in the UK at the moment but it will soon be expanded to more markets.
Lotus Drive has already gone live on the brand’s official website. The only car available at the moment is the UK-spec Emira sportscar but new models will be added in the future, including the upcoming SUV that’s currently codenamed Type 132.
The recently updated configurator allows users to choose their favorite spec for the Emira, preview their selection in different lighting conditions and 3D environments, or even place the car in a “movie backdrop” watching it on the move in a Californian mountain road.
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After the fun part and given you live in the UK, you have the option to reserve your Emira and complete the sale directly with Lotus. When the car is ready and the transaction is completed through cash, finance, or trade-in, you decide whether you want your Emira to be delivered from a retail agent or have it sent to your address, while you can also pick it up directly from the automaker’s Hethel headquarters.
Besides the Lotus Drive e-commerce platform, the automaker has recently restructured its UK showroom network switching from a retailer to a retail agency model. This means that Lotus owns the cars, giving it greater control over pricing and the residual values of used models that are traded in. As reported by Autocar, there are currently 13 dealers in the UK working as retailers for Lotus, with an “immersive brand experience center” to open soon in London and pop-up showrooms planned for future events.
