RE: Marcos Engineering Appoints Administrator
Discussion
Mr.Cerbera said:
Utterly gutted !
But I stil think that it's the nanny state's irresistable influence that has killed the sales !
How?But I stil think that it's the nanny state's irresistable influence that has killed the sales !
Sales in many other performance cars have climbed hugely in the last 10 years.
I suspect that the evil that is afoot is actually the dreaded 'Economies of Scale' and not anything else.
RedTuscan said:
Oh for goodness sake Horse_Apple, stop blaming the Government. I did not vote for them, but even I can see the truth.
Ring round a Porsche dealer, ask for a delivery date on a 911 Turbo or a GT3. Do the same with a 430 at a Ferrari dealer. Try it on a Gallardo. Ring an Audi dealer, see if they will even bother to take your call about an R8.
In fact, have a look around and you will find, for example that an 07 F430 spider used and an 07 R8 used, are both trading well over list price.
There are plenty of buyers for high performance cars. The simple fact is that the mainstream manufacturers have taken the market over with cars that are nearly as fast as the TVR/Marcos offerings, if not faster, cost the same or less to buy, are reliable, come with a 3 year guarantee from a manufacturer that is likely to be around for 3 years and one that has plenty of dealers. For sure they cost less to run too.
There are simply not enough people who are prepared to overlook a Cayman S or an SLK AMG 55 and buy something like a TVR/Marcos type car.
Yes it might be a bit more individual than the Porsche/Mercedes. Occasionally, it might be a little bit faster (dry straight road with a driver with big balls), but other than that point, the ownership experience is much better with the German cars.
No doubt someone will reply and say that they like a car with handling to give them brown underpants, no safety aids, crash protection from another era, flimsy build quality and questionable reliability.
The trouble is, in Marcos' case there seem only to have been 3 such people and in TVR's much the same.
nail headRing round a Porsche dealer, ask for a delivery date on a 911 Turbo or a GT3. Do the same with a 430 at a Ferrari dealer. Try it on a Gallardo. Ring an Audi dealer, see if they will even bother to take your call about an R8.
In fact, have a look around and you will find, for example that an 07 F430 spider used and an 07 R8 used, are both trading well over list price.
There are plenty of buyers for high performance cars. The simple fact is that the mainstream manufacturers have taken the market over with cars that are nearly as fast as the TVR/Marcos offerings, if not faster, cost the same or less to buy, are reliable, come with a 3 year guarantee from a manufacturer that is likely to be around for 3 years and one that has plenty of dealers. For sure they cost less to run too.
There are simply not enough people who are prepared to overlook a Cayman S or an SLK AMG 55 and buy something like a TVR/Marcos type car.
Yes it might be a bit more individual than the Porsche/Mercedes. Occasionally, it might be a little bit faster (dry straight road with a driver with big balls), but other than that point, the ownership experience is much better with the German cars.
No doubt someone will reply and say that they like a car with handling to give them brown underpants, no safety aids, crash protection from another era, flimsy build quality and questionable reliability.
The trouble is, in Marcos' case there seem only to have been 3 such people and in TVR's much the same.
How many times have we seen protoypes which sound great and look nice, and then I see the price and my heart drops - if you want to produce a two seater sports car with 911 like performance, here's a tip - sell it for 30-50% less than a 911 if you expect people to take a risk on purchasing a product with no track record of product quality, dealer support or manufacturer solvency.
Where Weisemann get it right is their product is basically a re-skinned M5 - so presumably it can be serviced by BMW who will also stock most of the parts.
It is a shame that Marco's have gone to the wall, the product was pretty good and not that overpriced albeit very cramped inside. I spent a number of motorshows and other marketing events with them over the last two years and I do think that they shot themselves in the foot by using a prototype as a press car initially. The problem in this sector of the marketplace is that clients require a little bit of security that the car will be reliable and more importantly the company will be there in 6 months time for warranty/servicing committments. Unfortunately Marcos's sad demise will only reinforce this apprehension and make it even more difficult for any other independent manufacturer.
Incidentally Wiesmann are the only manufacturer authorised to use BMW M power engines (from the M3) which perhaps reflects in how they are making cars albeit LHD only versions in sensible numbers and with a certain amount of viability.
Incidentally Wiesmann are the only manufacturer authorised to use BMW M power engines (from the M3) which perhaps reflects in how they are making cars albeit LHD only versions in sensible numbers and with a certain amount of viability.
As a supplier to Marcos who has had every invoice paid up to date, I must say what a shame they haven't sold any more cars. Mr S had a dream and tried hard to make it work. The design of the car was a huge leap forward from previous Marcos efforts, but they spent too much time and money developing it, and even a basic Boxster could run rings around it dynamically. Perhaps the market is now more discerning post-TVR and you just can't expect customers to develop your cars for you anymore. I hope someone takes it on, otherwise I will be hassling that poor lady with the blue one to see if she needs 35 years worth of exhaust systems that we have still got on our shelves.
What a b****y shame. I had a Marcos in my sights for when there are no decent TVRs left.
Hats off to the people that had the faith to resurrect marcos and develop what looked like a great car.
Even more cudos should go to the very few that had the faith and balls to stump up the cash and buy one.
What the hell are we going to buy now???
RIP Marcos :-(
Hats off to the people that had the faith to resurrect marcos and develop what looked like a great car.
Even more cudos should go to the very few that had the faith and balls to stump up the cash and buy one.
What the hell are we going to buy now???
RIP Marcos :-(
"Marcos mentioned to me at Goodwood that they had forward order bookes in the years as opposed to the months." Of course they did...
Sorry gang, I'm obviously behind the drag curve on this one, but I can't recall seeing any significant marketing from these guys. I read all the usual mags AND I'm involved in the luxury goods and services business, but it seems to me they had an extremely low profile. Where were the partnerships and alliances with other brands to raise their profile? Where were the ads in key publications OTHER than the usual car mags? Was there any direct mail campaign to target groups? I know all that takes money, but look what happens when you don't invest in marketing.
I approached Marcos in late 2006, offering to work for them on a freelance basis cos I'm a car nut and genuinely wanted them to succeed, but I had no response. I even followed up with a call to Mr Stelliga and again, no response. Unless I'm just being bitter and twisted, seems he wasn't interested in even listening to some new ideas...
Sorry gang, I'm obviously behind the drag curve on this one, but I can't recall seeing any significant marketing from these guys. I read all the usual mags AND I'm involved in the luxury goods and services business, but it seems to me they had an extremely low profile. Where were the partnerships and alliances with other brands to raise their profile? Where were the ads in key publications OTHER than the usual car mags? Was there any direct mail campaign to target groups? I know all that takes money, but look what happens when you don't invest in marketing.
I approached Marcos in late 2006, offering to work for them on a freelance basis cos I'm a car nut and genuinely wanted them to succeed, but I had no response. I even followed up with a call to Mr Stelliga and again, no response. Unless I'm just being bitter and twisted, seems he wasn't interested in even listening to some new ideas...
At least the LM600 road car has risen from the ashes! this will be on the road in about a weeks time biased opinion but if Marcos produced more of these they may still be here??? at 6ft 7" wide and 41" tall it looks like a supercar and with a 6.2 ltr v8 it will go well also! but the rarity of just one road car produced is also very special also!
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