TVR to buy MG?
Rumours of a rescue bid continue to swirl
 TVRs outside the Blackpool factory -- will they have 'Made in Birmingham' stamped on them in 2006? |
Rumours continue to abound regarding the future of MG. Among the less likely is one suggesting that TVR owner Nikolai Smolensky is plotting to take over MG.
According to Auto Express, the scuttlebutt is that the move would involve TVR upping stakes and moving production out of Blackpool entirely to Longbridge in Brum. Speculation maybe, but the report suggests that one senior bod within MG has confirmed it.
Smolensky has spoken of the need to move out of the present factory, where TVR has been for most of its history, but his last statement on the issue suggested that the company would be staying in Blackpool. Moving would of course mean that a new workforce -- presuming that most would be unlikely to swap Lancashire for Birmingham -- would need to be trained in using GRP and in the very hands-on process that TVR has always used to build its cars. It's very unlike the automated, tooled-up factory in Longbridge.
PistonHeads asked TVR's PR man Phil James for the company's response. He said that he could not comment.
He said, "If TVR were to about to buy MG, it would not be commenting publicly until the deal was done. If not, then there's nothing to comment on."
We'll update this story if we hear any more today, so watch this space.
Why invest in new equipment in Blackpool when you can buy a ready to roll production facility at a 1/4 of the price.
One thing it would improve (eventually) is the build quality.
Maybe they should just buy the MG brand (if they can) and use it as the junior brand to TVR with new Lotus rivalling dinky sportscars.
Richard
ricardinho said:
Maybe they should just buy the MG brand (if they can) and use it as the junior brand to TVR with new Lotus rivalling dinky sportscars.
Exactly what I was thinking really... Buy MG, he can rename it NS Russian Autos if he likes
, then build lotus type, lightweight cars, 30k prices, lower entry models and you're sorted. With MG (Or NS Russdian Autos) under his belt, TVR will be steady as a rock. Dave.
>> Edited by UncleDave on Thursday 2nd June 12:08
If they kept true to TVR's philosphy of light weight, and used a high revving 2.4l with 240bhp ish (4/6th's of a sp6!) and put it to market at about £25k, then they could have a great seller on their hands as a TVR. I see no sensible benefit in attaching the MG brand to it.
Paul.
plfrench said:
If they kept true to TVR's philosphy of light weight, and used a high revving 2.4l with 240bhp ish (4/6th's of a sp6!) and put it to market at about £25k, then they could have a great seller on their hands as a TVR.
I'm throwing in that very idea - of a smaller 4pot Tamora - in for 1,5 years now and every time I get the same response: what's the point.
One day I'll get my right.
Don't forget that it was these people who have systematically destroyed the entire British car manufactoring industry.
How many times have the Blackpool boys been on strike? When TVR have been in trouble on many occasions through the years, those chaps have stayed late, worked weekends and taken no pay at times. Would those militant scroungers from Birmingham have the same faith and work ethic towards TVR? You must be joking.
Taking MG would probably be a fiar idea but the last thing you would want to do is employ anyone from there.
A bit harsh, but then life is and they do not deserve any more State or corporate hand outs. They have too much blood on their hands.
plfrench said:
Why not call the small TVR (sounds like a good idea that) a TVR???
If they kept true to TVR's philosphy of light weight, and used a high revving 2.4l with 240bhp ish (4/6th's of a sp6!) and put it to market at about £25k, then they could have a great seller on their hands as a TVR. I see no sensible benefit in attaching the MG brand to it.
Paul.
I do.
MG's a cheap tacky under-powered cars for the 'people'. Start marketing TVRs to that type of client base and you will have all sorts of brand issues.
Just look at the average Rover 75, sorry MG owner and imagine them becoming the average TVR owner!!!!!!!
The two are good brands with good histories but very different client bases.
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