New TVR still under wraps! (Vol. 2)
Discussion
Wacky Racer said:
Gazzab said:
They ‘just’ need a better business plan with a product that people want and that is appropriate for these revolutionary times. An ugly car with a V8 petrol engine isn’t it.
No one in their right mind is going to invest in the current project.
Personally I don't think it's "ugly", that's a bit strong. I don't even mind the headlamps, but I'm sure they can be re designed fairly cheaply, not many seem to like them, the muted applause at the reveal said a lot.No one in their right mind is going to invest in the current project.
I hope it does materialise, but every month it's looking less likely, but who knows what's going on behind the scenes?
In the long term electric is the way to go, as nice as a big yank V8 sounds.
FarmyardPants said:
I agree with Gazza. Ultimately it lacks the desirability with that gurning front end to sell in numbers. And the big V8 is the icing on the elephant cake in the room
The car being so ugly is one of the main reasons it might fail as a project. I’m amazed they didn’t redesign it. It seems like they’re only listening to people that would buy one no matter what it looked like, instead of asking people who might buy one and haven’t, why not.
All their initial PR was about how it grows on you and doesn’t look as bad in the flesh. That’s not going to sell enough cars when you’re effectively a start up trying to sell a £90,000 car.
Then add in their woefully bad PR and communications and it’s not surprising they’re having trouble getting backing and deposits are being cancelled.
Seems like les and GM made the car that they liked and didn’t ask people who would buy it what they thought.
Then as time goes on, everything (chances of finding money, depositors patience, new rules and regs etc etc) just gets worse and worse.
V6 Pushfit said:
The front could look like a car designers wet dream but it wouldn’t change the fact that the project failing would be due no funding and inept PR.
Banging on about the front when they didn’t even have a factory always seemed a bit daft.
Aren’t they linked? Better front means more orders, more positivity about the car, more money from deposits, more chance of investors etc etc. Banging on about the front when they didn’t even have a factory always seemed a bit daft.
If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
El stovey said:
Aren’t they linked? Better front means more orders, more positivity about the car, more money from deposits, more chance of investors etc etc.
If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
A part of the situation yes but a long way down the list of reasons why there’s no production yet. Almost dropping off the bottom IMHO, a bit like thinking the rainstorm is why the ship is sinking.If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
V6 Pushfit said:
El stovey said:
Aren’t they linked? Better front means more orders, more positivity about the car, more money from deposits, more chance of investors etc etc.
If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
A part of the situation yes but a long way down the list of reasons why there’s no production yet. Almost dropping off the bottom IMHO, a bit like thinking the rainstorm is why the ship is sinking.If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
El stovey said:
V6 Pushfit said:
El stovey said:
Aren’t they linked? Better front means more orders, more positivity about the car, more money from deposits, more chance of investors etc etc.
If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
A part of the situation yes but a long way down the list of reasons why there’s no production yet. Almost dropping off the bottom IMHO, a bit like thinking the rainstorm is why the ship is sinking.If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: oookkaaayyyy....
El stovey said:
V6 Pushfit said:
El stovey said:
Aren’t they linked? Better front means more orders, more positivity about the car, more money from deposits, more chance of investors etc etc.
If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
A part of the situation yes but a long way down the list of reasons why there’s no production yet. Almost dropping off the bottom IMHO, a bit like thinking the rainstorm is why the ship is sinking.If you’re looking at investing in the project and you see loads of cancellations and negativity about the front and think it looks ugly yourself, you’re less likely to think it’s going to succeed and invest in it.
FarmyardPants said:
Quite. Imagine the conversation with VCs..
VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: oookkaaayyyy....
When engaging in such business you would of course take your investor to the “booze church”VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: oookkaaayyyy....
https://youtu.be/dFQrx2E1gMA
FarmyardPants said:
Quite. Imagine the conversation with VCs..
VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
More like !VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
V6 Pushfit said:
FarmyardPants said:
Quite. Imagine the conversation with VCs..
VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
More like !VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
LE: The deposits came in thick and fast at first, then we revealed it. Since then they’ve dwindled a bit.
VC: and now?
LE: Six.
VC: Six deposits?
LE: Sorry, five. Just had another text.
I'd forgotten the December update which said this. (I can't imagine Autocar forgetting about this little tantrum)
"However, Autocar followed this up with a completely inaccurate statement along the lines of ….the tendering process means that work on the factory is unlikely to commence for many months to come..! It made me bl**dy cross, I can tell you!
So, if you’re reading, Autocar(!), the accurate latest is this:
Tender process complete – YES.
Shortlist of successful candidates asked to provide further detail & any questions – TICK.
Deadline for the above passed – YEP.
All proposals in front of the Government for decision on chosen contractor – WE ARE TOLD YES.
Nominated contractor appointed – DUE EARLY JANUARY.
Work to commence – JANUARY.
Work to complete (Building Refurb) – SUMMER."
"The article goes on to mention that we are “raising money from new and existing investors for a redesign to make the car fit US standards”. True, we are raising money with Federal (and global) cars in mind, but not a redesign of the Griffith for UK/Europe.
The expenditure on further development was already in our original business plan, but to bring the development forward we can’t fund it from cashflow generated by sales so are raising the finance externally – more on which in another update soon, together with the ‘BIG NEWS’ which is not only still coming, but getting even bigger (hence the reason it’s still coming!).
Additionally, we plan to allocate additional funds to accelerate start of production in Wales, in order to recover some of the time lost due to the above delays. We hope to be able to make a formal announcement that works are under way on or shortly after 15th January."
Its hardly surprising investment is hard to come by with statements like these.
https://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/news/tvr-manufactur...
"However, Autocar followed this up with a completely inaccurate statement along the lines of ….the tendering process means that work on the factory is unlikely to commence for many months to come..! It made me bl**dy cross, I can tell you!
So, if you’re reading, Autocar(!), the accurate latest is this:
Tender process complete – YES.
Shortlist of successful candidates asked to provide further detail & any questions – TICK.
Deadline for the above passed – YEP.
All proposals in front of the Government for decision on chosen contractor – WE ARE TOLD YES.
Nominated contractor appointed – DUE EARLY JANUARY.
Work to commence – JANUARY.
Work to complete (Building Refurb) – SUMMER."
"The article goes on to mention that we are “raising money from new and existing investors for a redesign to make the car fit US standards”. True, we are raising money with Federal (and global) cars in mind, but not a redesign of the Griffith for UK/Europe.
The expenditure on further development was already in our original business plan, but to bring the development forward we can’t fund it from cashflow generated by sales so are raising the finance externally – more on which in another update soon, together with the ‘BIG NEWS’ which is not only still coming, but getting even bigger (hence the reason it’s still coming!).
Additionally, we plan to allocate additional funds to accelerate start of production in Wales, in order to recover some of the time lost due to the above delays. We hope to be able to make a formal announcement that works are under way on or shortly after 15th January."
Its hardly surprising investment is hard to come by with statements like these.
https://www.tvr-car-club.co.uk/news/tvr-manufactur...
V6 Pushfit said:
FarmyardPants said:
Quite. Imagine the conversation with VCs..
VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
More like !VC: so you’re looking to start production on a new sports car?
LE: yes, we’re very excited about it. It has aero and everything!
VC: can I see it?
LE: sure, here’s a photo
VC: how many deposits ?
LE: 500 and a waiting list of 200
VC: Any adverse comments?
LE: Yes six blokes on a Pistonheads forum are banging on about the front
VC: Piston what?
There simply aren’t enough people willing to buy a £90,000 car that looks like a Toyota to make it work.
“Additionally, we plan to allocate additional funds to accelerate start of production in Wales, in order to recover some of the time lost due to the above delays. We hope to be able to make a formal announcement that works are under way on or shortly after 15th January”
Shortly after the 15th. Wtf. Pipe dreamer.
Shortly after the 15th. Wtf. Pipe dreamer.
m4tti said:
“Additionally, we plan to allocate additional funds to accelerate start of production in Wales, in order to recover some of the time lost due to the above delays. We hope to be able to make a formal announcement that works are under way on or shortly after 15th January”
Shortly after the 15th. Wtf. Pipe dreamer.
Missing the update was bad enough, but giving no tangible update at all was commercial suicide.Shortly after the 15th. Wtf. Pipe dreamer.
El stovey said:
Unfortunately that’s just fantasy. If the car looked better they wouldn’t be in the situation they are now. Its not the only reason but it’s one of the main ones. Every article about the car has mainly negative comments about its looks. At the reveal people were negative, even in here a forum started for tvr fans the polls and comments are mainly negative about the front. It’s definitely a big issue for this car.
There simply aren’t enough people willing to buy a £90,000 car that looks like a Toyota to make it work.
They had a nicely full order book of those who were ok with the front so despite your views on it (which I understand to a point) the front was not the deal breaker and if you honestly think it’s what will maybe be their downfall I’m afraid that’s the fantasy and a bit of a daft one at that IMHO. There simply aren’t enough people willing to buy a £90,000 car that looks like a Toyota to make it work.
Lack of funding caused the delays - and these and resulting appalling comms & PR were the reasons for cancelled deposits. People don't retain deposits on something when the manufacturer has disappeared off the face of the earth, and the impetus was lost for new deposits for the same reasons.
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