Lotus (bicycles)
Encyclopedia
Lotus was a brand
of bicycles designed, specified, marketed and distributed by Lotus International Corp. of Syosset, New York
, which had been founded by Sid and Ernst Star. The bikes were offered as a complete range, from entry level to professional models, and were manufactured by Tsunoda Bicycle Corporation of Nagoya, Japan (founded in 1926, still in business) and subsequently by other manufacturers — including a group of mid-1980s high end models manufactured in Italy, in conjunction with Cinelli
.
Lotus International marketed its bikes using an abstraction of the Lotus
flower as its logo.
During the U.S. bike boom
of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Lotus and Alpha Cycle & Supply competed with domestic companies including Schwinn, TREK
, Huffy
, and Murray
; European companies including Raleigh
, Peugeot
and Motobecane
— as well as other nascent Japanese brands including Miyata
, Fuji, Bridgestone, Panasonic, Univega
, Centurion
and Nishiki
. Japanese-manufactured bikes succeeded in the U.S. market until currency fluctuations in the late 1980s made them less competitive, leading companies to source bicycles from Taiwan.
Windsor cycles, which had been manufactured by Acer Mex, had been successful for Alpha — but had required quality control attention due to the reorganization of the factory in Mexico City. Both Windsor and Lotus cycles received the top ratings in the Consumer Reports, November, 1985 issue.
Lotus International depended heavily on outside financing to fund its growth and when its bank unexpectedly changed hands and interrupted financing, the company was nearly forced into bankruptcy. A breach of contract suit followed with an undisclosed settlement. There was still a demand for Lotus bicycles, and the company was forced to deal with an assortment of third party distributors for financial services.
Sid Star's health declined and he died in 1990. Ernst Star, who had assumed primary management of Lotus International, dissolved the company, subsequently forming International Licensing & Design Corp. (ILD) — retaining the Lotus brand. Ernst continued to work as a consultant for the design and marketing of Lotus and acquired several licensees during the 1990s — including a company which marketed Lotus bicycles in China, Sears and Walmart in the US, and Group Lotus (Lotus Cars) in the UK. ILD still exists but is no longer involved with Lotus — having sold the mark to Group Lotus prior to 2000. In 2000 Ernst Star returned to academia, becoming a professor at Hofstra University
in New York).
Aero Sport
America
America Mixte
Challenger SX
Challenger SX Mixte
Classique
Commuter(ATB Series)
Cyclone
Éclair
Elan
Esprit
Excelle
Excelle Mixte
Elite
Grand Prix
Grand Prix Luxe
Grand Prix Mixte
Legend
Legend Compe
International
Odyssey
Competition
Pegasus
Prestige
Pro Series 2000M
Pro Series 2000R
Pro Series 3000
Pro Series 4000M
Special
Sport Pursuit
SR Aero
Supreme
Super Pro Aero
Triomphe
Unique
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
of bicycles designed, specified, marketed and distributed by Lotus International Corp. of Syosset, New York
Syosset, New York
Syosset is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, in the northeastern section of Town of Oyster Bay near the North Shore of Long Island. The population was 18,829 at the 2010 census...
, which had been founded by Sid and Ernst Star. The bikes were offered as a complete range, from entry level to professional models, and were manufactured by Tsunoda Bicycle Corporation of Nagoya, Japan (founded in 1926, still in business) and subsequently by other manufacturers — including a group of mid-1980s high end models manufactured in Italy, in conjunction with Cinelli
Cinelli
Cinelli is an Italian bicycle manufacturing company based in Milan, Italy, producing mostly road bicycles and components; production is estimated at 80 percent components, 20 percent bicycles.- History :...
.
Lotus International marketed its bikes using an abstraction of the Lotus
Lotus
- Botany :*Lotus , various botanical taxa*Lotus *Lotus Flower, Nelumbo nucifera- Motor cars :*Lotus Cars, a British motor vehicle manufacturer**Team Lotus, a British Formula One racing team that competed between 1954 and 1994...
flower as its logo.
During the U.S. bike boom
Bike boom
Bike boom or bicycle craze refers to several different times when, for a period of a few years, many people in many parts of Europe and North America wanted to buy and ride a bicycle. In brief, they occurred in 1819, 1868, the decade of the 1890s, and the 1970s...
of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Lotus and Alpha Cycle & Supply competed with domestic companies including Schwinn, TREK
Trek
Trek or trekking is a long journey undertaken on foot in areas where common means of transport is generally not available. Trekking is not mountaineering; it is days of walking along with adventure.-Etymology:...
, Huffy
Huffy
The Huffy Corporation is an American importer and manufacturer of inexpensive mass-market bicycles. It was founded in 1887 when George P. Huffman purchased the Davis Sewing Machine Company and moved its factory to Dayton, Ohio. Seven years later, in 1894, Huffman adapted the factory to...
, and Murray
Murray (bicycles)
Murray was an American company whose assets are now owned by Briggs & Stratton and Dorel Industries. The corporate brand is a descendant of the Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company, which manufactured bicycles and lawn and garden equipment ....
; European companies including Raleigh
Raleigh Bicycle Company
The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a bicycle manufacturer originally based in Nottingham, UK. It is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. From 1921 to 1935 Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of the Reliant Company.-Early years:Raleigh's history...
, Peugeot
Cycles Peugeot
Peugeot was a manufacturer in the French bicycle industry through the 20th century.-History:Peugeot was a French manufacturer of bicycles founded by Jean Pequignot Peugeot who, in the 19th century, made water mills...
and Motobecane
Motobécane
Motobécane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and other small vehicles, established in 1923. "Motobécane" is a compound of "moto", slang for motorcycle; "bécane" is slang for "bike."...
— as well as other nascent Japanese brands including Miyata
Miyata
Miyata is a Japanese bicycle and unicycle manufacturer that has been in operation since 1892.Miyata claims to have been the first Japanese manufacturer of flash-butt welded frame tubes and the first to use electrostatic painting ....
, Fuji, Bridgestone, Panasonic, Univega
Univega
Univega is a brand of bicycles, created during the bike boom of the 1970s by Ben Lawee , who founded Lawee Inc. to design, specify, and import bicycles initially manufactured in Italy by Italvega, and subsequently in Japan by Miyata....
, Centurion
Centurion (bicycle)
Centurion was a brand of bicycles created in 1969 by Mitchell M. Weiner and Junya Yamakoshi, who co-founded Western States Import Co. in Canoga Park, California to design, specify, distribute and market the bicycles. The bikes themselves were manufactured initially in Japan by companies...
and Nishiki
Nishiki
Nishiki is the Japanese word for "brocade." Articles with "nishiki" in the title include*Nishiki River*Nishiki , initially a U.S...
. Japanese-manufactured bikes succeeded in the U.S. market until currency fluctuations in the late 1980s made them less competitive, leading companies to source bicycles from Taiwan.
Lotus International
Prior to 1980, Sidney (Sid) Star had marketed Windsor bicycles in the US through his company, Alpha Cycle & Supply Corp., modifying Windsor's designs to be competitive in the US market. His son, Ernst Star left a university job in 1980 to join with his father and start a new brand, manufactured in Japan — creating and registering the Lotus brand at that time, and turning to Tsunoda of Japan for manufacturing. Together they subsequently formed Lotus International Corp. to handle Lotus bicycles exclusively, dropping Windsor bicycles.Windsor cycles, which had been manufactured by Acer Mex, had been successful for Alpha — but had required quality control attention due to the reorganization of the factory in Mexico City. Both Windsor and Lotus cycles received the top ratings in the Consumer Reports, November, 1985 issue.
Lotus International depended heavily on outside financing to fund its growth and when its bank unexpectedly changed hands and interrupted financing, the company was nearly forced into bankruptcy. A breach of contract suit followed with an undisclosed settlement. There was still a demand for Lotus bicycles, and the company was forced to deal with an assortment of third party distributors for financial services.
Sid Star's health declined and he died in 1990. Ernst Star, who had assumed primary management of Lotus International, dissolved the company, subsequently forming International Licensing & Design Corp. (ILD) — retaining the Lotus brand. Ernst continued to work as a consultant for the design and marketing of Lotus and acquired several licensees during the 1990s — including a company which marketed Lotus bicycles in China, Sears and Walmart in the US, and Group Lotus (Lotus Cars) in the UK. ILD still exists but is no longer involved with Lotus — having sold the mark to Group Lotus prior to 2000. In 2000 Ernst Star returned to academia, becoming a professor at Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
in New York).
Models
AeroAero Sport
America
America Mixte
Challenger SX
Challenger SX Mixte
Classique
Commuter(ATB Series)
Cyclone
Éclair
Elan
Esprit
Excelle
Excelle Mixte
Elite
Grand Prix
Grand Prix Luxe
Grand Prix Mixte
Legend
Legend Compe
International
Odyssey
Competition
Pegasus
Prestige
Pro Series 2000M
Pro Series 2000R
Pro Series 3000
Pro Series 4000M
Special
Sport Pursuit
SR Aero
Supreme
Super Pro Aero
Triomphe
Unique