Lotus Internet Survey Result
10 December 1999
<<...>> LOTUS POSTS INTERNET SURVEY RESULTS Sports car buyers support high-value, advanced, focused designs say the results of the Lotus Internet New Car Survey. The survey, conducted throughout November on the Lotus Cars USA web site (www.lotuscars.com), asked buyers to rate features, reasons for buying, and describe how they use their current sports car. In addition, the nearly 2150 visitors to the web site were asked to rate the desirability of a Lotus vehicle not currently offered in the North American market - the award winning Lotus Elise. "The Elise has been a runaway success in Europe since its introduction," said Lotus Cars USA CEO Arnold Johnson, "but there has been some question whether its back-to-basics nature and tightly focused personality would find a receptive audience in North America. Judging from the initial survey results, the car is in tune with the expectations of North American sports car buyers." Built around a strong, lightweight extruded and bonded aluminum spaceframe chassis, the Elise uses its low mass to produce surprising performance and efficiency. With a vehicle weight just above 1600 pounds, the 118 horsepower Elise can travel from zero to sixty mph in less than six seconds, reach a maximum speed of 126 mph, and return approximately 40 miles of travel for each gallon of gasoline consumed. "The Elise is unlike anything offered in the US today," said Johnson. "It doesn't rely on brute force or electronics to create acceptable performance numbers. The Elise proves something Lotus has known all along, finesse and driver involvement are built in, not added on." Results of the survey will be shared with Lotus management in England, and used to ensure that future Lotus vehicles have a strong North American appeal. # # # Lotus Internet New Car Clinic Results Do you currently own a sports car? Yes: 84% No: 16% What induced you to buy your current sports car? Performance 67% Design 57% Price (in relation to performance) 48% Advanced Engineering/Technology 37% Company/Racing History 36% Quality reputation 33% Brand image 32% Other 9% How often do you use your sports vehicle? Everyday (commuting, etc.) 53% Weekends 24% Occasionally 22% Which of the following features are essential for every sports car? Advanced/Sports exhaust 52% Hard top (if convertible) 28% Other 27% Leather seats 26% Sun roof (if hardtop) 25% Carpeting 21% Spoiler 19% Car cover 7% What aspects of the Lotus Elise do you like? Design 72% Uniqueness (vs. other sports convertibles) 70% Overall vehicle performance 68% Advanced Engineering/technology 58% Engine performance 40% European styling 38% Other 16% How likely would you be to purchase this vehicle if priced from $35,000 - $40,000? Not likely: 12% Somewhat likely 34% Likely: 25% Very likely: 29% What type of Lotus branded merchandise would you like to see the company offer? Apparel 40% Model Cars/Kits 37% Posters/Prints 35% Children's toys (radio controlled cars, etc.) 35% Watches 18% Sunglasses 15% Luggage 12% Tennis equipment 12% Bicycling equipment 12% Jewelry 5% Sports equipment 5% Golf equipment 5% How likely would you purchase decision be based on information available over the Internet? Not likely: 9% Somewhat likely: 31% Likely: 31% Very likely: 29%