Tuesday 25th June 2002

AC Saved Again

Two years of production secured

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[grahambell]

Great to see AC saved - again. Not so great to see some production being shifted from UK though.

[Thom]

Hurray!
AC is dead, long lives AC!

[Mark IV]

Don't be quite so happy yet....as the same management that drove them down is still in place, I predict another brush with the reaper within 18 months. The "revival" plan is flawed and assumes higher levels of production than they have yet acheived. I think they will find the demand for the CRS carbon bodied car to be less than they hope and costs higher than they think.

[gnomesmith]

If you think about labour costs and availability of skilled labour it would seem to be logical to make the composite cars in UK and the metal bodies outside of UK rather than the way AC intend.

Is there a clever twist that I've missed?

[PetrolTed]

Rumour is that the carbon bodies will be made in South Africa by the same company that makes Nobles. There were certainly bodies there a while back when one PH member visited.

[markqelise]

They will just have to look after anybody stupid enough to try and sell them - If I was a dealer I would not be to keen with a company that promises a car and then the d1ckheads running it let it go to the wall leaving me to explain to the customers.

[Mark IV]

Ted,

You called it right. If AC can pay for the cars, the plastic cars will come from HiTech Auto.

Wait until the details of the "USA" order are announced. This will also surprise many.

[Roadrunner]

Sounds interesting. Spill it.... It won't go any further....

[gnomesmith]

A load of old Cobras if you ask me.

[Mark IV]

Markgelise...

Want a ringing endorsement of the current management? Call Duncan Hamilton and ask about the "AC Car Group Limited"

Quite an earful....

[JENSEN]

The 2 year export deal will involve AC sending complete aluminium MkIIIs (minus engine/transmission) to the US, for sale via Superformance dealers.

[gnomesmith]

quote:
Markgelise...

Want a ringing endorsement of the current management? Call Duncan Hamilton and ask about the "AC Car Group Limited"

Quite an earful....

Motor traders who live in glasshouses should not throw stones.

[JENSEN]

Autocar suggests AC will be building their carbon fibre cars in Malta!

[JENSEN]

Still no news on AC's supposed recovery plan. Anyone know anything?