Comments about TVR in AutoCAR this week
Discussion
There is a group test of performance cars in the £40ks with the RS4, M3, SLK55 and Cayman. At the start of the test the journalist wrote that TVR did not want to loan a car for the test as they are not loaning cars to magazines at the current time and they are also encouraging dealers and owners not to do so either.
So we've gone back to the Wheeler era have we?
I'd have thought a T350 (remember, this is £40ks, not £50ks) would have acquitted itself very well and proven to be a lot more practical than many average punters would have expected. OK, so you can guess which car won and it would probably still win with a TVR in the fray but my point is why are TVR doing this?
So we've gone back to the Wheeler era have we?
I'd have thought a T350 (remember, this is £40ks, not £50ks) would have acquitted itself very well and proven to be a lot more practical than many average punters would have expected. OK, so you can guess which car won and it would probably still win with a TVR in the fray but my point is why are TVR doing this?
It's a tricky one, maybe they have had enough of lazy journalism (not angling this at Autocar just generally) and maybe there is a time when you think they will not see around their preconceptions anyway so why bother. All too easy to pull a heater knob off, take a snap and bingo you have a standard paragraph about TVR build quality.
Not sure if this is behind it or not. If it is, not sure how you are ever going to convince the press that things are changing if you don't give them the cars. Bit of a no win situation.
Not sure if this is behind it or not. If it is, not sure how you are ever going to convince the press that things are changing if you don't give them the cars. Bit of a no win situation.
The thing is the cars are fine now and all articles have been favourable recently (with the exception of what was reported as a sick French Sagaris in a recent EVO test - even that was more than fair IMO). Knobs don't fall off now either. I'd understand it if TVR kept getting slated by the press (but still not agree).
This weeks AutoCAR has a full page TVR for sale ad with various dealers. Blackpool seem to have a number of cars for sale which could have been sent along to this mag test.
This weeks AutoCAR has a full page TVR for sale ad with various dealers. Blackpool seem to have a number of cars for sale which could have been sent along to this mag test.
chris watton said:
Knobs don't fall off now either.
They did for the Tuscan 2 (or was it the Sagaris) they tested on Fifth Gear.
Hmm, I'm not so sure that wasn't just for the script...............
This is exactly the incident I was thinking of when I mentioned lazy journalism, I suspect very much that it was given a friendly tug and "oh look it's come off".. what a bloody surprise you pulled it off you muppet.
I have seen the treatment test cars get at the hands of the Press and it is not pretty.
A certain presenter on Fifth Gear has a habit of pulling bits of trim off cars just to see how robust they are. All fun for the Presenters!!!
TVR have my sympathies regarding bad press comments, but the way to fix them is to continue to improve the product. Just look at how positive the recent comments have been regarding the Sagaris and Tuscan 2.
"It's my toys and you are not playing with it" does nothing to endear the Press to TVR.
A certain presenter on Fifth Gear has a habit of pulling bits of trim off cars just to see how robust they are. All fun for the Presenters!!!
TVR have my sympathies regarding bad press comments, but the way to fix them is to continue to improve the product. Just look at how positive the recent comments have been regarding the Sagaris and Tuscan 2.
"It's my toys and you are not playing with it" does nothing to endear the Press to TVR.
chris watton said:
Knobs don't fall off now either.
They did for the Tuscan 2 (or was it the Sagaris) they tested on Fifth Gear.
Hmm, I'm not so sure that wasn't just for the script...............
Totally agree Chris,cheap gags like Vicky BH with a knob between her legs
I hate that women with a passion
Top Gear where no better the poison dwarf saying the Tuscan 2 broke down..really??
And Clarkson`s comments about the windows not working, but they had miraculously mended them selves for "can the geeks get out of a TVR test"
And "no the TVR isn`t easier car to live with"... read the f
ing owners handbook first and you might learn a bit about the controls idiot. So yes i`m not surprised they have stopped giving press cars
Blackpool advertising used stock directly ... Chris Harris noting the vanishing of TVR London ... A group test about four other cars stating that TVR won't hand over cars and expects its dealers and customers to follow suit ... None of it good.
TVR can't grow its business without handing cars to the press. End of. How else can they expect to communicate progress? Furthermore, the UK press is probably the best group of magazines for a world market. I remember some time ago how the UK HSV concessionaire's efforts to submit cars to the UK media had a knock-on effect in many countries - and even back at 'HSV home' down under.
Sure, from time to time the hacks will take a pop at the product but the best way to deal with this is by way of communicating with them on a regular basis. To alienate the media is a BIG mistake whatever line of business you're in. TVR's reviews have enabled it to avoid advertising costs for years, and publishers have been pretty happy with this because a TVR invariably adds a bit of spice to their magazines. The benefits cut both ways.
TVR has been largely absent from the media since the blanket coverage of the Sagaris last April. Before the Sagaris, the Tuscan 2 'leaked' out as opposed to being launched and once it had 'leaked' it lost its news currency. The comeback to that should have been to distribute a Tuscan 2 'S' press car and be game for some group tests/shootouts. Then there's the convertible - a couple of [favourable] reviews at the back end of 2005 ...and that's it. That car has now lost its news currency. The Tuscan 2, effectively Blackpool's staple car, has NEVER starred on a magazine cover.
Personally, I think customers SHOULD hand their cars to the press. Yeah, the press will often attempt to murder a 'press car' but they are a lot more respectful towards customer cars. What's more, if it's your car they'll put you up somewhere and you'll get to meet the journos and possibly even get to drive other kinds of brand new model press cars if it's a group test. You might even get a few tips from 'hands' like John Barker or Monkey Harris.
What would be the outcome for TVR? For a start the 'differences' between what you buy and what TVR hands to the press would be exposed. Most customer cars would, I suspect, perform below par and quite likely not be as well fettled in the 'quality' stakes. The upside would be the most honest appraisal of real TVRs. I wonder what effect THAT would have on sales?
TVR can't grow its business without handing cars to the press. End of. How else can they expect to communicate progress? Furthermore, the UK press is probably the best group of magazines for a world market. I remember some time ago how the UK HSV concessionaire's efforts to submit cars to the UK media had a knock-on effect in many countries - and even back at 'HSV home' down under.
Sure, from time to time the hacks will take a pop at the product but the best way to deal with this is by way of communicating with them on a regular basis. To alienate the media is a BIG mistake whatever line of business you're in. TVR's reviews have enabled it to avoid advertising costs for years, and publishers have been pretty happy with this because a TVR invariably adds a bit of spice to their magazines. The benefits cut both ways.
TVR has been largely absent from the media since the blanket coverage of the Sagaris last April. Before the Sagaris, the Tuscan 2 'leaked' out as opposed to being launched and once it had 'leaked' it lost its news currency. The comeback to that should have been to distribute a Tuscan 2 'S' press car and be game for some group tests/shootouts. Then there's the convertible - a couple of [favourable] reviews at the back end of 2005 ...and that's it. That car has now lost its news currency. The Tuscan 2, effectively Blackpool's staple car, has NEVER starred on a magazine cover.
Personally, I think customers SHOULD hand their cars to the press. Yeah, the press will often attempt to murder a 'press car' but they are a lot more respectful towards customer cars. What's more, if it's your car they'll put you up somewhere and you'll get to meet the journos and possibly even get to drive other kinds of brand new model press cars if it's a group test. You might even get a few tips from 'hands' like John Barker or Monkey Harris.
What would be the outcome for TVR? For a start the 'differences' between what you buy and what TVR hands to the press would be exposed. Most customer cars would, I suspect, perform below par and quite likely not be as well fettled in the 'quality' stakes. The upside would be the most honest appraisal of real TVRs. I wonder what effect THAT would have on sales?
I think a good start for TVR would be to loan someone like EVO a TVR for a long term test. Seems other manufacturers do this. There might be one or two niggles, but I bet in 6-12 months the ownership experience would be a good one (they probably wouldn't blow the engine by then). It would do a lot for TVR. Just like the long term 200sx Performance Car had a few years ago (OK, 1995 ... I bought one).
As for PR/Marketing. Yep, I think TVR are digging their own grave in their key market. They need us to buy new cars to fund the business while investing in new markets. I can't believe Smolensky has bottomless pockets.
TVR urgently needs its mojo back. I'm in a position to buy a new TVR, but I'm keeping what I've got as apart from the warranty I don't like what I see (or don't see).
Lets start a 'TVR mojo' campaign!
As for PR/Marketing. Yep, I think TVR are digging their own grave in their key market. They need us to buy new cars to fund the business while investing in new markets. I can't believe Smolensky has bottomless pockets.
TVR urgently needs its mojo back. I'm in a position to buy a new TVR, but I'm keeping what I've got as apart from the warranty I don't like what I see (or don't see).
Lets start a 'TVR mojo' campaign!
Last time I spoke to JB I asked him about getting a TVR onto their long term fleet and he said they had tried, TVR keep turning them down and Harry was for forking out the best part of £50k to buy one!
I havent read Autocar this week so was unaware of this, however it is easily rectified. I dont much give a monkeys what the factory says, so nobs on to that one.
As a (kind of) link to this I suppose I might aswell use this thread to apologise here and now. There *might* be a little p1sstaking article and photo about TVRs and Sagaris appearing in Autocar at some pt in the next cpl of months and if there is...its my fault. For the record, it wasnt the car, it was the idiot user (tailgate left ajar = dead battery), alas my next door neighbour was pishing himself laughing at me clambering through the tailgate so much he thought he was would get his digicam.
His surname is Vivian.
Sorry
I havent read Autocar this week so was unaware of this, however it is easily rectified. I dont much give a monkeys what the factory says, so nobs on to that one.
As a (kind of) link to this I suppose I might aswell use this thread to apologise here and now. There *might* be a little p1sstaking article and photo about TVRs and Sagaris appearing in Autocar at some pt in the next cpl of months and if there is...its my fault. For the record, it wasnt the car, it was the idiot user (tailgate left ajar = dead battery), alas my next door neighbour was pishing himself laughing at me clambering through the tailgate so much he thought he was would get his digicam.
His surname is Vivian.
Sorry
DJC said:
Last time I spoke to JB I asked him about getting a TVR onto their long term fleet and he said they had tried, TVR keep turning them down and Harry was for forking out the best part of £50k to buy one!
I havent read Autocar this week so was unaware of this, however it is easily rectified. I dont much give a monkeys what the factory says, so nobs on to that one.
As a (kind of) link to this I suppose I might aswell use this thread to apologise here and now. There *might* be a little p1sstaking article and photo about TVRs and Sagaris appearing in Autocar at some pt in the next cpl of months and if there is...its my fault. For the record, it wasnt the car, it was the idiot user (tailgate left ajar = dead battery), alas my next door neighbour was pishing himself laughing at me clambering through the tailgate so much he thought he was would get his digicam.
His surname is Vivian.
Sorry
You're going to have to make up for that one if it happens. You could at least have waited until he'd gone out
The thing is, TVRs are not the most practical of cars and are not particularly good at doing what other cars do. They have a certain mistique that journos don't seem to understand. I personally don't care what the magazines write as its rarely positive stuff, I still always knew that I wanted one. I say 'f@ck the press' and keep the marque mysterious.
:rant:Surely, not giving the cars to the press just gives the them more ammo to have a pop.I would have thought the way to go would be to build the bloody things properly and give them to the mags with confidence.In spite of what some owners believe ( and I had 4 )there isn't a witchhunt on TVR, most of the bad publicity is of there own making.Bosscerbera is spot on regarding HSVs and the press, Autocar had one on long term test in 1999/2000 along with several tests in the other mags i took a long shot and bought one. Best car I have ever owned to date.
I suscribe to autocar and there were a number of references to TVRs that disapointed me but that i also have to accept in owning one, there lies the big difference....owning one and test driving one.
This weeks mag came with a 'half price hero's' booklet - in it features the cerbera, chimaera and sagaris. the positives are generally the same...performance, price, looks, noise, etc...the reasons you but such cars. The what to look out fors...quote: just about everything!!!! why say things like that when its not true. in the same booklet, in a higher price section there is a ferrari F355 - lovely, but the list of 'what to look our for' was extensive and, another important point most of these mags forget, is the cost to put right when these things happen.
The rest of the mag, including the article on the £40K sports cars had a sprinkling of anti TVR comments. The road test of the Z4M included a line 'it drove in much the same way you feel that TVR's should but all to rarely do'. A reaction to being told you cannot have a car for the test?
Can't really defend TVR for not supplying test cars - why? what can be gained?
This weeks mag came with a 'half price hero's' booklet - in it features the cerbera, chimaera and sagaris. the positives are generally the same...performance, price, looks, noise, etc...the reasons you but such cars. The what to look out fors...quote: just about everything!!!! why say things like that when its not true. in the same booklet, in a higher price section there is a ferrari F355 - lovely, but the list of 'what to look our for' was extensive and, another important point most of these mags forget, is the cost to put right when these things happen.
The rest of the mag, including the article on the £40K sports cars had a sprinkling of anti TVR comments. The road test of the Z4M included a line 'it drove in much the same way you feel that TVR's should but all to rarely do'. A reaction to being told you cannot have a car for the test?
Can't really defend TVR for not supplying test cars - why? what can be gained?
BigGriff said:Absolutly, I remember that incident and it's fair to say that the dashboard knobs on any car would come off if they are pulled - they are designed to do so for safety reasons! They wouldn't start dismantling a BMW dash because there is no story in that, pull knob off the Tuscan and it's a bit of humour for the show
I have seen the treatment test cars get at the hands of the Press and it is not pretty. A certain presenter on Fifth Gear has a habit of pulling bits of trim off cars just to see how robust they are. All fun for the Presenters!!!
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