Lotus has revealed that the first half of 2023 has provided a record-breaking sales number, thanks largely to around 17,000 orders placed for the new Eletre SUV and the Emira sports car.

Over 2,200 Emiras have been produced in its UK sportscar manufacturing facility, a 381% increase on last year’s numbers and the order book for the car is now full for the next couple of years.

Production of the Eletre SUV ramped up this year at Lotus’ first all-electric vehicle factory. Customer deliveries began in China at the end of March and are expected to reach UK and European customers later in the summer.

Lotus has also looked to expand its global retail network, adding 24 new outlets in the first half of 2023 to make a total of 193 stores worldwide. One of areas expanded into is Asia, with Lotus partnering with Kolon Mobility Group to sell vehicles in South Korea, one of the largest luxury markets in the world.

Following the successful first half of the year, Lotus has said it plans to further ramp up production and sales for the second half of the year and expects the full year to “surpass all previous years.” Of course, we are still awaiting the release of the Evija.

The numbers represent a welcome change of mood at Lotus after the recent announcement that the company lost £145 million in 2022, having sold just 576 vehicles. Despite 200 job cuts on the horizon, Lotus will look to build on the momentum that this year’s sales have brought.

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of Lotus Group said: “We set an ambitious goal in 2018, with the launch of our Vision80 strategy to transform the business from a traditional automotive brand to become an all-electric, luxury, mobility provider in ten years. We have spent the last few years laying the foundations for success and today’s announcement demonstrates that Lotus is no longer the same business that it has been in previous years. We are firmly on track to becoming a global performance brand by 2028.”   

Words: Mike Booth
Picture: Lotus