Actually, what Lotus does is really clever.
They are developing their VVA chassis architecture and before implementing it on their products, they sell it to other companies (non competitive ones) in order to test it in real life.
Until now they sell their technology to Tesla and ZAP. Both of them are new companies without prior experience on the auto industry.
This business model is pretty revolutionary (no wonder both of these companies are US based). Tesla and ZAP buy the chassis just like they buy other parts of the car (wheels, mirrors etc) from an outside entity.
Seems like a new way of entering a rapidly growing market (niche electric cars). There is no competition, so they virtually have a monopoly. This business model is justified by Tesla's success: Tesla has sold ALL produced cars in a really short amount of time.
SO, both companies (Lotus and ZAP-Tesla) win from this business relationship. Lotus capitalises on their R&D on their revolutionary chassis and moreover they can develop it even more from the fees they charge. Tesla and ZAP can start up and conquer a new market with limited effort!
Sorry for the business lecture, but I am reading Jeremy Rifkin's "The Age Of Access" which covers such topics.
Last edited by lightweight; 01-31-2007 at 01:41 PM.
Minimising losses can maximise net gains