Friday 17th November 2006

TVR owners plan London rally

Aiming to keep TVR British

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Take your TVR to the city

If you're a TVR owner, reserve next Sunday 26 November for a protest in London over TVR's proposed move abroad.

The iconically British maker of rumbling sports cars is set to move production to Italy, and the TVR Car Club, whose 12,000-odd members see this as a way of showing the strength of feeling among not just the cars' owners but also those in the company, its dealer network and anyone who cares about British engineering.

According to the organisers, there two key objectives for the rally and to help maintain and further raise the profile of the factory closure, and associated job losses, and to hold the largest ever gathering of TVRs.

The day will include:

• Several convoys from around the country to London.
• Transport for factory workers, and families from Blackpool to London.
• Meet in Central London at mid-day, meeting point to be confirmed.
• Departing at roughly 13:00 a convoy through London, a route map will be provided at the meeting point.
• Petition presentation - along the lines of "Keep TVR British".

At approximately 15:00, the rally will regroup for a convoy to a hostelry for refreshments, before departing for home.

• The forum discussion and further details are here

[trevor j]

I will be there to support.

ps. Are there any Police Cerberas out there with a blue flashing light on topto join us for support!!!!

[mellow yellow]

Suprised it says THE TVR CAR CLUB.

Edited by mellow yellow on Wednesday 22 November 15:25

[Big Al.]

TVRCC well, better late than never!

[Graham]

Whilst the original Idea may not have been the TVRCC's, (its often easier for a single person to say heck lets do this) once it had started and after it was discussed the TVCCC have offered their full support to the organisers and are helping out where ever asked.

The event is now in full swing and I urge all TVR owners and supporters club members or not if you can be there join the rally. Yes the chances of it making a huge difference are limited, but it might just might help someone make a decision that does make a difference. It also shows we care.... and if your like me I do care what happens to TVR, I do want the firm to continue and preferably in Blackpool. Its also a thankyou to the 250 or so people who stand to loose their jobs.

Having met some of the guys at the factory they are a tight knit group, some of them have generations there. For many it seems less of a job and more of a way of life. A way of life that a few interesting business decisions looks like its going to destroy.

DONT LET TVR DISAPEAR WITH A WHIMPER, IF IT GOES IT NEED TO BE NOISY...... LONDON 26/11/06 WHERE WILL YOU BE

[midnightDriver]

As churchill once sed "let this be out finest hour"

[springbok]

The TVRCC is not the organising body for this event.

Edited by springbok on Friday 24th November 09:08

[Frances]

Great idea - Peugeot tried it as did Rover and were still sold out - in my view this government sems intent on killing all British industry - allows it to be taken over by overseas' conglomerates and individuals with no loyalty or respect for our workforces, skills and above all standards.

The Italians are great at style (I worked there for many years), but you can be assured that if production does move over there quality problems will abound as will strikes etc etc. My Alfa 157 GTA started to fall apart from the day I had it. I am not even sure if a deal has been struck - we have no evidence that the current owner has previously followed up rehetoric with actions. Of course, he owns the marque so he could just sell it off to anyone really.

So to whom is the petition being presented on a Sunday exactly? Hope someone has invited suitable media for pictures before it gets dark. Don't forget congestion charges too, where they apply.

Nice to see so many making an effort to take a stance, perhaps the MPs for Blackpool would like to show their support for the workforce - they are both Labour so it would be interesting to hear their views - maybe an answer will even be given - do they support the retention of British industry and quality in this country?. Sorry , what has either done so far to lobby change? Have I missed something?. No doubt they will refer to 'it is just the free market economy at force'. Strange that in the Northeast the free market force is 60% public sector. Even the B***** steel producers have been sold to the Chinese!
I feel so much better after a rant - TVR should remain British not 'EU'!

[drdavewatford]

Not sure it'll have made any difference, but well done anyway to all those who attended for caring enough to make the point. Some of the media picked up on it, and Pistonheads even got a mention in the Guardian.... See link below :

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/