I visit Lotus factory to see my Emira in build & ask Lotus MD Matt Windle why it's 6 months late
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2022
- In this video explain what's happening on the Lotus Emira production line plus see my Emira in partly built form plus I get to ask Lotus MD, Matt Windle, why all Emiras are arriving over 6 months late.
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I have proudly worked in manufacturing for 32 years. Food, not cars, but similar challenges and we all use similar manufacturing systems and philosophies. Listening to this MD reminds me that we should celebrate pragmatic, down to earth people who actually make things. Not everyone works in services and call centers. Everything is fundamentally supported by people making things. And lots of us carried on throughout Covid (particularly in food) with no lock down, no remote working. We got in there and made products every day when Covid was still scary. Manufacturing environments are full of people like this, from the people cleaning the factories to the people on the lines 24/7 to the MD’s and CEO’s.
Well said, it's tough out there in manufacturing especially. There are so many components in a modern car, trying to get them there all on time is a logistical nightmare in the current situation as Lotus are finding out
A country that doesn’t make anything is a bankrupt country. Never understood how just a service economy would work long term.
Absolutely. I program and run CNC machines and no remote work is possible for me either. We masked up and soldiered thru.
Thanks to everybody doing their physical jobs despite the Covid crap. My job is desk bound and WFH possible, and I was well-aware of how fortunate I was.
EXACTLY. The German car industry get billions from the German gov. UK gov. turned it's back on manufacturing years and years ago. Blair backed RBS and the Banks...yep look at that mess we aall bailed out. If it was not for GEELEY there would be no LOTUS now...as with all our other CAR FACTORIES and BRANDS all saved by foreign investment. I think it is brave of the Lotus owners to back the brand and BREXIT makes it very expensive to do this low volume manuf in the UK now. So, we had Tony Blair make a mess and David Cameron who just wanted a another term at No.10 who decided on a ref on BREXIT would be a good idea...and we all got CONNED!!! SO WHERE IS THE DEMOCRACY IN THE UK? Did you vote for Boris or Liz Truss?
Mad respect for the MD of Lotus Matt Windle. Refreshing honesty and openness by him and rest of Lotus crew for showing the whole facility without a hint of sensorship. Great video!
I normally avoid the RUclips comment section but just had to come down and say the same - almost brutal honesty about where they were and why they weren't where they wanted to be was so refreshing in these days of filtered press releases.
Absolutely feel the same way - when Matt said something to the effect of, "But it would be disingenuous for me to suggest that all of our problems have been external", and goes on to detail some of the other issues they've faced, only increases the level of respect that he and the company are due.
That is so true Magic man...I Hope for Lotus to be around for ever. As a boy, my first favorite car. The Lotus Esprit...
I agree. Thought that was very honest and incredibly un corporate MD.
Most others in that situation would blame absolutely anything else. I don’t know his background with Lotus but he sounds like a manufacturing person as opposed to a marketing led person.
I was about to write the same thing.
Nice touch Harry, getting the construction team to take pride of their work and sign your car.
Really impressed by what I saw here both in the build process and also the determination shown by all at Lotus to bring out a quality product against adversity and flourish in difficult global and economic times.
I have my sign on his Car, he’s a lovely guy 🥰
I am glad I am not the only person impressed not only by Harry's digging into things, but Lotus allowing him to come in, film, and comment. I don't think I have seen this anywhere else except for maybe Morgan. Let's face it, this is just a ton of fun.
You somehow missed all the RUclipsrs walking the Koenigsegg production line with owner Christian von K. or the Rimac production line with Maté. At least as impressive.
Working in this very factory myself, you’d be amazed how many tours come through and how often I am working a tour comes along. Which I’ve been told by colleagues that have worked at others never happened in other places. So you hit the nail on the head with the openness
The fact Lotus still exsists to this day is a source of happiness for me.
For many of who live near the factory, and have seen the many ups that then crashed into massive downs, the fact the factory is still there making cars, is nothing short of amazing. I'm still holding my breath hoping this time the ups outweigh the downs, even though I work for a rival, well maybe not direct rival, but another British based sports car manufacturer.
The Lotus brand still exists which is gratifying, but with Toyota engines and gearboxes I’m not sure if it’s a true Lotus.
@@kevindimauro9689 it’s more reliable that way…
Geely is a safe haven for them, just look at Volvo
@@kevindimauro9689 Lotus has used outsourced engines and gearboxes since the very start.
Very brave of Lotus to give Harry freedom to wander the shop floor like that. And even more so to allow him to film that giant dashboard showing the production stats!
MD Matt Windle alone was a very brave man. Lots of respect for him and Lotus.
Yes agree done their reputation no harm at all
Good on Lotus
Plan vs Actual stats... helping to preserve Harry's investment!
Show's they have complete confidence in their products and pride in their workforce.
Love how Harry runs through the place like he owns it...
Perks of being a 'vip'
Harry is the OG
Indeed almost looks like hes just a ghost just wondering around where he likes 😄
Typical old gentry money!
😄😄👍
As a long term petrolhead I’m really happy for Lotus being promoted in this channel, and I wish them all the success in the world. I hope their SUVs prove so successful, that they’ll be able to continue building amazing sports cars for many years to come
You are a typical British optimist and you have a great sense of humour 😂
Respect to Lotus taking ownership and not blaming external circumstances for their challenges - just describing it as it is.
If only our politicians acted likewise, such refreshing honesty from Matt.
@@petefletcher5380 If only Brexiteers would accept responsibility for their votes
@@paddymuppy brexit gave us opportunities that didnt restrict us to just buy over priced solar crap from germany, theirs a big wide world out there and your on a little tinny spot.
Er...did you watch the vid? Matey used pretty much EVERY hot topic, as a reason!
Maybe you were using sarcasm, it was difficult to tell. This comments section was awash with arselickers, as usual!
Exactly!
Nice touch with all the production staff signing the floor pan . Making it very unique.
I really love the transparency. Thank you Lotus (and Harry for giving them the platform).
.
This actually gives me much more confidence in the team (and company as a whole) 👍
The internals of that supercharger is about the coolest thing I think I've seen in years. I want to see more about that because that's some stunning engineering in there.
It would have been even better if Harry would have put the cover back on! 😂
They're actually really basic
I feel for Matt Windle! as an ex manufacturer the problems in attempting to achieve quality, delivery, profitability in todays environment is so very difficult.
As someone who works in this industry, that statement is so true. If only the general public knew what it takes to achieve high quality fit and finish whilst maintaining high volume.
Same applies to most manufacturers unfortunately.
I would say almost impossible......but hey the Chinese are throwing sooooooooooo much money at LOTUS
One of his problems is making sure QA is in place and QC do their job when the second shift comes on line - they need to ensure that both shifts produce the same quality.
@@ianmontgomery7534 Take a leaf out of a system used by Toyota or Bentley etc...learn from the best LOTUS !! PLEASE !!
What a fantastically candid interview. The boss seems like a great pair of hands and tells it like it is rather than some who hide behind corporate BS. This is the first Lotus I'd actually want to buy (although obviously I'd love to own a submersible Esprit in white.... :D )
Technically, all Lotus' are submersible. Once, at least.
YEP takes a real person to be a real leader not like most of the disattached criminal ceo's that don't how to wipe their ass and rape and pillage every coin for their benefit and leave it in shambles
exactly what I came into the comments to say. it was so refreshing to hear someone speak openly about a process that isn't quite going as well as they hoped (for obvious reasons)
I had that exact white Lotus in the late 70s…..well, the Matchbox version
Aside from their incredible production efforts, the transparency and openness from Lotus has to be commended - there's a hugely optimistic feeling here regardless of the external challenges. Amazing stuff! (ps - I love the yellow Emira's, I had an Elise in Grey and it just didn't feel as fun as it should have been!)
It’s a pity Lotus can only be profitable once it starts selling in the range of 10000 units per year😂
Until then, only confidence remains 😂
I could talk for hours about the content in this vid, fascinating discussion with Matt and huge challenges which he has and is facing, no bull, tell it as is conversation that anyone in manufacturing can relate to. Ace content as usual, love the diversity, old school Lancia last week, cutting edge Lotus this week, just wish UK rather than Chinese money was behind it. UK politicians of all shades should be holding there heads in shame, dim as ditch water the lot of them.
Thanks for kind comments. I really like the fact Lotus Emira are built in Norfolk by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts. I also like how Geely have given Lotus the financial muscle to produce the cars they really want to . Emira looked fantastic on the production line and on Friday, Lotus launched the Fittipaldi Evija to the world. That would never have happened pre Geely.
@@harrysgarage Let's hope Geely can do the same with Aston Martin...
@@harrysgarage who owns Geely or is Geely a standalone company ?
@@harrysgarage You are quite right. This probably would've never happened without Geely behind it. But the Chinese play the long game, and in time will likely take much more out of Lotus and its technical expertise than they put in. Also, just as Geely money is behind Lotus, one does wonder if the Chinese government backing is behind the likes of Geely (and other Chinese car makers) who have so much financial muscle that has enabled them to own the likes of Lotus, Volvo, MG and a good chunk of Daimler Benz.
@@Kelveron Good point. I guess that means western governments have to be nice and tolerant with Beijing, or else.....🤨
Such a nice gesture of respect, to get the guys to sign your car!
It's Britain - land of the knob-gag - so you just KNOW that there'll be a few cheeky additions to the signatures under the trim...🤭
@@EleanorPeterson No doubt whatsoever. It was almost mandatory with TVR 😄
I have just recovered the seats in my 1987 Land Rover and found some very fruity comments written by someone at Solihull 😃
Chap even mentions the big D in the closing seconds!
An MD shows how leadership and management ability can offset the uncertainty of the car market. Brilliant.
Well they sold the company to the regime in China and when they go full electric they will have little to no part in production of the cars as parts will all be “high quality” Chinese tech
@@phillipcollins1103 I had to goggle that and it looks like you are correct. What a shame for the UK and Lotus.
Given that he singled out the rise of fuel prices as having put them so far out of budget that they are refusing to tell customers the price of their cars, I suggest he asks his FD to google ‘hedging’.
Sports car production will remain here only the "lifestyle vechels" will be made in China
They're designed here too though
@@carmadme even if that were true..which it isn’t…who the hell wants an ev lotus? They are known for handling and manual style engagement..Chinese e-motors with shoddy auto transmission? I don’t see where their future niche is ..the regime has similar plans for Volvo. Anyway each to their own
I love this car company -- so glad they're still producing cars
Surprising, isn’t it?😂
A fascinating insight into the Lotus factory Harry. It is so refreshing to listen to Matt Windle’s honest down to earth explaination of the issues affecting their launch and production of the Emira. With his honest down to earth manner, Lotus deserve to prosper. Thanks again Harry sharing this with us.
Really like his honesty, if I could afford one I’d be placing my order now
Totally agree. I'm sure other MD's would spin a load of BS, but he seemed really candid. It gives me lots of confidence in the company. If I could afford a Lotus, I'd get one.
@@peterknight7880 I totally agree Peter, I’ve just posted a similar comment but you have summed it up far more succinctly than me.
I was thinking the same thing I'd certainly buy one off the back of this interview. Extra lottery tickets this week.
@markyes do some research then
Hearing the guy giving an insight into the business gives me even more confidence
Just amazing that we can watch Harry looking at his own car being built on the production line at Lotus, thanks so much Harry!
Very refreshing to see how open Lotus is about their production facility. Shows how confident they are about their product!
Nice the hear an MD being honest and open,and not just glossing over the problems.
By the sound of it a first edition ordered now at the original selling price,assuming your not in a rush is a good buy👍
They look fantastic and the modernity of the factory gives me a warm feeling about the quality of construction. Epic car for the money.
Am I the only one who loves Mr. M’s delivery? He’s like a trusted uncle who is worldly and knows enough to explain it in simple language.
Thanks H
This video will do more for lotus marketing than actual lotus marketing. Very honest and likeable and also professional MD. The company is being setup right in challenging times, all this will pass and they will be fine. Plus seems like a top notch product, I would rock one if I were in a position to do so.
Well done Lotus, and well done MD, what a refreshing and honest interview, huge respect for the freedom's given to Harry and talking abotu the genuine challenges. Lotus have gone even higher in my estimation-- and that from a lofty start point!
Getting all the guys to sign the car at the end was a great touch.
This really is as good as motoring content gets on YT. Thank you as always Harry 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Get in there Lotus.. cars look amazing and will drive amazing as well.. nobody really cares if there car is delayed by 6 months we just want a solid car and Lotus to succeed.. 👍👍
Fascinating. How refreshing to hear a down to earth candid MD, who actually thanked all the lucky people who have ordered! Supply chain /logistics nightmare. I’m going to place an order soon as I can
Wow…captivating inside look. Lotus really gave you the run of the factory floor!
Fascinating to watch thank you for making this & massive thanks for Lotus being so open
Amazing to see!
Such a fantastic insight in to the production process. Thank you for this video!
Great video. The whole factory is a mix of new deep-pocketed investor influence (self guided chassis dollies) and old school Lotus hand assembly line (handwritten cardboard box parts bins). Can't wait for my Emira!
Love the detail in these vids. There are not many reviewers who talk about the tech the way Harry does.
Warms to heart seeing these cars being built! Go get em Lotus.
This is SO COOL!! Thanks Harry and Lotus for sharing!!!
Awesome video, Harry! A privilege to be with you as you see your own rig being built! The levels of concern, awareness, pride, planning, and execution (specially in this business environment!) are very impressive...and really unprecedented for Lotus. All around, an incredible, drool-worthy product!
Brilliant video and wonderful to see that Lotus has a genuine chance of a great future.
Absolutely fascinating harry thank you so much
Smashing documentary this week, great to see. Must be very satisfying to be able to see your own order take shape.
Such a gorgeous car. Best of luck to Lotus as they come out the other side of all these challenges stronger.
Amazing, must be a hell of a buzz being able to see your car coming together. Nice to see some fellow old fogeys on the production line 👍
Totally awesome watching your very own car being built.
A remarkable video, on many levels. Thanks, Harry!
Bravo Harry and bravo Lotus for allowing such a candid look at the factory! I just found the level of access incredible and refreshing. The MD Matt Windle did a great job of communicating the myriad challenges that manufactures are currently facing. Here's wishing Lotus a prosperous 2023!
Fairplay to Lotus in providing the tour. Very humble car company.
Love Harry and Lotus, this video is epic.
Thank you for this amazing content
Great that you were able to just wander around the assembly halls on your own.
Great access! I think all of us enthusiasts are pulling for Lotus. It's great to see these things coming together.
I don't think that you've ever started a video better. :o)
Great to see the walkthrough and nice of them to sign your car. Signifies pride in their product...
Enjoyed that! You can hear the passion in Matt too.
What an absolutely cracking video. Thanks Harry.
What a great interview, refreshingly honest. This is truly going to be the making of Lotus and I for one will be ordering one
This was an excellent video and I find myself inspired to be a fan of Lotus and bowled over with the Emira, which looks truly dynamic. Matt Windle’s frank assessment of where they are (and where they intend to be) adds so much gravitas. Well done, Harry, and best wishes for much motoring satisfaction with your new vehicle when it arrives with you. As someone has already said, your action in getting the team responsible for the car to add their signatures was a thoughtful and nice touch!
Enjoyable and interesting visit. Great to see the professional build process.
Really enjoyed that , I wish lotus every success can’t wait to see you in your new motor
I've been a big fan of Lotus since I was a kid in the 80's. I'm so very glad to see the workings of this high tech factory. I really hope to own one some day. Thank you.
Good luck Lotus the line looks great and the cars look fantastic. I hope your supply lines and production rates get to the levels you are aiming for.
Great video Harry. It has renewed my excitement for my Emira.
Amazing looking car. Great to see the production line and how many people are employed.
Harry is like a kid in a candy store! Obvious MD is a realist, and a car guy first! Love it!
So cool that you had the access to production line and the MD. Thanks for making this, Harry!
Fascinating- especially the interview.
So want to see an Amira in Lotus yellow & green.
A great video to inspire trust in U.K. manufacturing. I hope all customers waiting watch this to instil confidence.
If anything this video tells me is that we need to manufacture a lot more in the U.K. rather than depend on imports. Like we did in the old days.
Hi, Mark! Yep. I'm surprised those very smart yellow and green seats/ benches in the office area [15:17] weren't fitted with little wheels, springs, dampers and a handbrake...🤭
don't transform uk in a bigot land. Just because something is manufactured somewhere elese, doesn't make it worse.. or better.
If all the things you own woud be manufactured locally, you'll have a lot less things, trust me on that.
You make a good tour guide for the factory and I wish you would do it more with other brands. We all love to see you in there Harry because we all know you and can trust you to inform us in your unique way so thank you for your efforts.
Great stuff Harry! more behind the scenes stuff is always a favorite.. Kudos!
That was such an interesting watch. Thanks.
Fabulous video as ever Harry - as a Norfolk lad Lotus has a special place in my heart.....maybe an Emira is in my future....looking forward to seeing how you get on with yours...
Great video. Nice to see a team of people making cars in a time when automation controls all, keeps a 'hand-built' element in there.
Yeah, British hand made has become world famous (notorious)😂
Splendid look at a boutique modern auto assembly process.
Absolutely amazing factory tour Harry! If your really into your motor cars then factory tours are just the best experience ever! When I worked at Jaguar we used to go to the factory for some training courses and I booked myself on the Brown’s Lane production line tour every time, couldn’t get enough of it.
Thanks for sharing
Absolutely fascinating video Harry. So good to hear that level of candor from Matt Windle. The cars look great, the build quality looks great, and it’s so encouraging to see the level of restraint so as not to cut corners and rush them out. I have to tell you having seen this I want one even more!
Great video Harry, anyone in business will recognise the issues Matt has been battling against. I'm off the the configurator now to see if I can support them.
Very special. Thanks for sharing
Brilliant vid Harry. Fantastic access they let you have. I have a Lotus Elise 2015 ordered from the factory way back then and I love it. Thank you for your Harry's Garage and the farm stories. Always interesting and entertaining.
Outstanding video, Harry. One of the most enjoyable from you in ages. I have a Porsche on order for almost 1 year now, and although we all hear about the various hurdles auto manufacturers are dealing with, this video and your interview with Matt, really brings it home, and makes me more sympathetic than I was before. Keep up the great work. Cheers!
Didn’t end up on a cargo ship crossing the Atlantic did it? 😂
@@davidmccartney1102 Not yet. But tracking shows it built and sitting on a golf course.
@@GTSCarLife A golf course!? Definitely odd I’m sure we’d agree! Can you see it on Google Earth..? :-)
@@davidmccartney1102 yes. Porsche allows you to track it from the assembly to dealer. We watched it leave the factory, head up the main road to Emden, and exit half way there to pull into a golf course. Verified with Google Maps. Another Taycan buyer noted the same thing with his Taycan a few months ago. Not sure what to make of it!
A refreshingly honest MD. I hope he isn't punished for it.
Exactly I hope tol
He won't be. Geely have been very understanding with the difficulties they've faced, I've heard
Great vid thanks for sharing and well done for getting them all to sign the car
Absolutely brilliant tour, makes me want to work there.
As many have said: a great video. Lotus massively generous in letting you wander around the factory in such as open way and the interview with Matt was absolutely excellent. Very refreshing to see a company be so transparent with its customer's and to hear honesty and heartfelt discussion around the state of play at the moment. If only other manufacturer's were so open with their issues and gave honest updates to customers (I'm looking at your Porsche).
Somewhat of a PR move for customers waiting on deliveries and Lotus hoping they won't cancel. It was a good tour.👍
@@2bunphettered788 of course it is but I’ve seen that at the very least Lotus are giving reasonable updates and estimates to their customers, unlike other marques
What a refreshingly honest and informative video. You can’t help but feel for the incredible challenges small companies like lotus have been faced with the last few years mainly thanks to china (Covid), Russia (war) and Brexit. This video gives us a great feel for what it takes to produce a high quality low volume automobile. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few people who may have been on the fence before decided to press the “Order now” button on the Lotus web site after watching this.
Since 2017 the Lotus group is majority owned by a Chinese multi-national. I can't help but feel that this is a shame.
@@TheChannel1978 I think you will find all large companies are internationally owned on the stock exchange so makes no difference to a production line.
@@sresto7943 He never mentioned the production line. He lamented that yet another British company now has majority foreign interests.
@@sh-hg4eg Lotus has been foreign owned since 1986. Seems odd to be lamenting this in 2022.
What a beautiful touch at the end. Thanks for sharing the build Harry
Fantastic video. Thank you Harry.
If I had the money I would definitely buy one of those Lotuses… it’s absolutely stunning to see a great machine like that made by British workers!!!
With a TOYOTA Engine .... : (
@@notrut brings reliability and cheap parts
@@notrut Great engines.
@@notrut But they are good quality engines, previous Lotus have used Izuzu another reliable engine and then breathed on by Lotus to give a bit of magic
Chinese owned though!
Really fascinating. In 1987 I visited Porsche in Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart in Germany and saw how the brand new Porsche 928 S4 was built. At this point I had a slightly older 928 S and the thought that struck me was that it would have been pretty cool to see my own 928 being built. The 928 was definitely a fantastically nice car at this time. Well, I'm happy for you Harry. Quite an experience to see your own dream car being built :)
Given the low cost of digital video storage, almost surprised that most manufacturers don't run cameras 24x7 and then offer to sell you a video of your car being built (for a price, of course)
Thanks Harry for this visit, great
Good on Lotus for hosting an open, candid insight video.
We still make something in this country? Fantastic! Well done lotus, that was inspiring 😊 one of your best videos Harry 😊
We make tons of stuff in the UK. Like the chassis fabbed elsewhere in Norfolk, many of the components come from SMEs all across Britain.
@@ilaister9652 it's not quite the 'workshop' of the world anymore though is it... unless you're still living in the 1950s?
@@ilaister9652 more like pounds of stuff. UK car production has declined every year since 2016, with further cuts from Jaguar and Mini guaranteed ☹️. Boutique production of race cars and expensive cars still requires mass market components, and has the Lotus MD said shipping these to an island that stupidly cut itself off from Europe is an expensive hassle.
This video shows the regard Harry is held in within the car world,the MD of Lotus inviting him to visit and video the production line including the build of his own car,top bloke Harry👍
Plus its of course nice free advertising. 😉
This is absolutely captivating and all kinds of awesome. Thanks Harry!!
Harry I thoroughly enjoy your videos thank you for the efforts
Great to see a British company excelling. Go Lotus...
Thanks to Harry and Lotus for this factory tour. I used to be an electrical design engineer, and my favourite part of the job was visiting factories to see how different products were made (pumps, AC units, gearboxes, etc). I wish the government would focus on manufacturing in the UK, so many things have been outsourced to cheaper labour markets. Not just the jobs, but we lose the skills and trades associated with them (& peripheral suppliers). Great video!
The Conservatives shafted British manufacturing when David Cameron tried to hold on to his job by allowing a Brexit referendum. I applaud Lotus trying to grow production with CChinese investment; meanwhile Jaguar is collapsing upmarket and Aston Martin is going bust making ugly unexceptional sports cars, a dull DBX, and an unmanufacturable Valkyrie.
@@skierpage British manufacturing took a dive well before cameron. Thatcher saw our future coming in on ships .... we now have that future.
Fantastic, informative video as always. Cheers Harry
That was awesome, so happy to see the pride in everyone's work, well done!
Great to see the production line up close, fantastic video. Really interesting to see how Brexit has not only impacted the import of components but also created further red tape to the approvals process, would be interesting to see how larger manufacturers in the UK with bigger production runs have been impacted.
I think with Brexit,we where the only country to impose sanctions on ourselves. Crazy
It was a bit silly really I think....
Free access to the largest and wealthiest trading area on earth the third biggest seat at the table and our conservative-ism towards changes was well respected and all that a short ferry or train ride away
All that to get trade deals with countries we alredy had trade deals with through the EU anyway
@@carmadme freedom sometimes has a cost.