2021 Summary & 2022 Projections

As I reflect on 2021 and consider 2022, I’m bolstered knowing that the ‘new’ normal somewhat resembles the ‘old’ normal.  COVID has been a nightmare, but we are all slowly finding ways to interact with the things we love.  Yes, many of us had to back off on the gas a bit or downshift.  Here at InoKinetic, we have done both.  2021 became a year for us to build a stronger foundation for our future.  We moved into a new shop and invested in inventory, people, and equipment.  We introduced new products, reintroduced old products, hosted & sponsored events, and continued to interact with many of you.  Moving forward, our main objectives in 2022, are to continue our focus on light cars and to extend our lead as North America’s 111 platform specialist.  

Service + 111renew

We are doubling down with our service capabilities to refresh all sports cars but with an emphasis on the 111 platform.  Our focus on delivering mechanical, paint, and bodywork are a key to our dedication to the platform – hence our service we call 111renew.  Our Hunter Alignment rack investment ensures we can deliver cars that are fun to drive.  New techniques like vapor blasting along with nickel plating have rejuvenated more than one car that has passed through our shop.  Additionally, our Lotus Boneyard has been a great source for parts that are difficult to find.  We are investing further in people and equipment to keep these cars on the road.  As I write this, we have cars from AR, GA, and two from FL getting rebuilt or refreshed and upgraded.  Three to five years from now, I expect over half the cars here will be from out of state.  Yes, we love these cars and plan to support them for many, many years – at least as long as I am walking on this planet!

Parts

Product development has been a passion of mine which started with my tenure at 3M Automotive.  My favorite new product this year has been the FASTarms.  This product has been well received and is quickly catching the attention of many S2 111 enthusiasts.  Our HOTplate commercializes an upgrade that has been a favorite on the forums and a must-have for any street car.  We also started to reverse engineer and produce some parts that are no longer available like the 111HL Gasket (headlight seals) and offer affordable options like the EPDMhoses (rubber rad hoses).  Our Monolites are considered the best wheels for the Elise/Exige and are now offered in Gold for the first time.  Admittedly, it’s not a shade for everyone so it seems my proclamation that Gold is the ‘new’ Black is falling upon some deaf ears.  Our immobilizer defeat, Andy’s Plug, has been selling well and improves one of those niggling issues that plague the 111 platform.  We also reintroduced a few old favorites including the OS Giken LSD and our ULTRAliteLINES.  Yes, by popular demand, Sector111 will return in 2022, as a Lotus-focused brand.

Future Parts

Though our pace of new product introduction has slowed, we intend to keep commercializing tasty bits that we believe are needed.  Sometimes these are items that have been discontinued or better solutions for known problems.  Our LED headlights are still under development, and we continue to be bogged down with finding off-the-shelf components to control costs.  We have not succeeded yet – but anyone that knows me knows that persistence is my middle name.  The KATANA3 will come out in 2022.  In fact, our calibrator has made some great progress with our tuning abilities.  This has created improved BLADE tunes and will result in a better KATANA.  I will admit that I am applying more financial prudence to our current R&D endeavors which have also slowed us down.  Naturally, this is a good thing for our long-term financial viability!

New Communications

Our YouTube video reboot has been one of the ‘new’ methods to get in touch with you.  You are clearly enjoying them as much as we are.  Our ‘Sessions with Shinoo’ has been warmly welcomed by the community as it eases scheduling time into our overly busy lives.  I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with many of you through this new scheduler.  We have been spending more time with LotusTalk and writing our newsletters than on FB/IG/etc.  Expect us to keep our toes in the Social Media water but a bit less than before.  We’ve realized that most people want to communicate through email and phone.  Honestly, I remain a bit old-school, so never hesitate to reach out to us for help.

Events

In 2021 we hosted several events in our new location, including an Open House, a Tech Seminar, Cars & Coffee, and a Track Weekend at Spring Mountain.  We have been a continuous sponsor of the Lotus Owner Gathering since 2004.  This year we did as well, though sadly, we were unable to attend.  I am a big believer in clubs as they offer the best place to hang out with like-minded enthusiasts.  2022 will also see the same activities plus a Temecula Wine Run and a couple of Track Weekends.  I’ve kicked off a ‘Trackdays with Shinoo’ event to offer a small group gathering for any of you who want to join me at the track without the fear of attending a super spreader event!  Plus, I need to get a monthly track fix in 2022 where I actually get to drive!

Cars

The niche cars with which we offer, continue to excite and inspire.  In 2021, I sold a Ginetta, a few Monos, an Atom4, and several Lotus, including the original Art Car that we fully rebuilt.  Building a couple of Drakans is our intention in 2022 – but first, we have to jump-start the supply chain.  This may take a bit more effort but I don’t give up easily.  All these boutique cars fascinate and enthrall me with thrills that are unmatched by the 3,500+ porkers that currently masquerade as sportscars. 

The Emira should be with us a year from now, hopefully sooner.  It is a very nice refresh of the already fantastic Evora.  I see it as an evolutionary, not revolutionary, new Lotus.  I spoke with a few Lotus execs at the Emira reveal, and they are all very excited and state it is all new.  Plus they were equally jazzed about the new EV Type 132 Crossover.  They claim it is a true Lotus that drivers will relish.  I’m a big supporter of this direction as Lotus needs to find a volume vehicle to subsidize the development of low-volume sports cars.  Lotus’s full EV future is not popular with many, but I remain optimistic.  Lotus’s LEVA platform appears to be an innovative EV architecture that should deliver the driving dynamics that we desire.  Richard Rackham was recently quoted suggesting the LEVA is as revolutionary as the 111 chassis was when it was introduced in the 90s.  I’m a big fan of Richard’s work so have total faith in his prediction.  2022 will be quite revealing.

Partners

A key part of our longevity has been partnering with other like-minded suppliers.  We introduced Girodisc, Nitron, ReVerie, ProAlloy, Toybox, Arqray, OS Giken, Racetech, and many others to our North American community.  In addition, we have several manufacturers, many local, who build products to our specs that have been critical to achieving our mission of high-quality products and service.

These are just a few of the many passionate companies who, like me, believe in delivering high-quality products and service.  Parts from these companies coupled with parts that we have engineered have fleshed out an S2 portfolio unmatched by any other competitor on this continent. 

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting a couple of partners, including DNA, in Italy.  Travel restrictions have limited my yearly overseas visits, but slowly and surely, I will find my way back to in-person meetings with other suppliers, especially those in Japan.  Expect more bitchin’ solutions from creative problem solvers.  I’m always on the hunt for these products and will certainly find more for us all.

Parts, service, communications, events, partners, and cars are all on my mind but most importantly so are all of you.  To me, the best part of this business has been supporting enthusiasts who share my automotive passion.  I jump out of bed every morning knowing that I will interact with cool folk – that is a tremendous reward for me.  Thanks to all of you for your support.  I remain dedicated to light cars, especially the Lotus 111 platform.  When I started developing tasty bits back in 2003, I did not realize that fully supporting the S2 111 would become my true calling.  It is now crystal clear.  I can assure you that my foot remains flat going into the new year! 

Have a great New Year and I hope to see you in 2022!

Cheers,

Shinoo