RE: Jensen Falters
Monday 8th July 2002
Jensen Falters
Another British Manufacturer on the Brink of failure
Discussion
Its a damned damned shame if they do go bust (again!).
That SV8 coupe is gorgeous and an exceedingly fitting tribute to the Interceptor.
Someone with plenty of cash must come along and save them!
I take it though that the idea of selling dealerships to finance the manufacture of the car didnt take off then?
Matt.
That SV8 coupe is gorgeous and an exceedingly fitting tribute to the Interceptor.
Someone with plenty of cash must come along and save them!
I take it though that the idea of selling dealerships to finance the manufacture of the car didnt take off then?
Matt.
Look at www.spykercars.com/ as an analogy. Another old name resurrected like Jensen but apparently they have sold 34 cars in the first year -when their target was 25, and the car is very expensive. I think what it takes to succeed in the niche car market is (A) Lots of money to start with and (B) a car that captures peoples' imagination.
What a shame, I really wanted Jensen to succeed. The product looked great and would have been a good alternative to a TVR/Morgan/SLK AMG etc....
Perhaps that's just the problem. The market place is already stuffed full of alternatives that have already established themselves. It's all very well showing a concept car at a Motor Show, but unless the product is on the market within 2 years, buyers will take their cash elsewhere.
If Trident aren't careful, their Iceni will go the same way. I've certainly not heard of any being delivered to customers yet. I hope I'm wrong though.
Hats off to the likes of Spyker and Pagani. There are obviously enough people with money to burn on £150k plus cars (make that nearly £300k for the Zonda!)
Maybe these people can afford to wait several years for the concept to be turned into a reality - their Ferrari's and Aston's keeping them amused until delivery of their new toy.
C'mon, there must be an obscenely rich PistonHeader with a few million quid burning a hold in their back pocket.....perhaps they'd be willing to bail Jensen out? I'm sure the rest of us would be willing to help out with any development needs (ie blatting around in test cars for the weekend)
Perhaps that's just the problem. The market place is already stuffed full of alternatives that have already established themselves. It's all very well showing a concept car at a Motor Show, but unless the product is on the market within 2 years, buyers will take their cash elsewhere.
If Trident aren't careful, their Iceni will go the same way. I've certainly not heard of any being delivered to customers yet. I hope I'm wrong though.
Hats off to the likes of Spyker and Pagani. There are obviously enough people with money to burn on £150k plus cars (make that nearly £300k for the Zonda!)
Maybe these people can afford to wait several years for the concept to be turned into a reality - their Ferrari's and Aston's keeping them amused until delivery of their new toy.
C'mon, there must be an obscenely rich PistonHeader with a few million quid burning a hold in their back pocket.....perhaps they'd be willing to bail Jensen out? I'm sure the rest of us would be willing to help out with any development needs (ie blatting around in test cars for the weekend)
There are countless numbers of manufactures who think that they can make their millions by selling TVR / Morgan type cars. There is a saturated market for these type of cars and the press and public are often too critical of them. Ooooh its got Escort indicator lenses and so on. Also there is the problem of precieved reliability especially for a new company / brand.
It would be interesting if a new company came along and produced interseting 4x4s or an inexpensive MG Midget type car.
As far as Jensen is concerned, the government who gave millions to De Lorean back in the 70s should have given it Jensens at West Bromitch and ensured that it continued rather thatn collapse.
It would be interesting if a new company came along and produced interseting 4x4s or an inexpensive MG Midget type car.
As far as Jensen is concerned, the government who gave millions to De Lorean back in the 70s should have given it Jensens at West Bromitch and ensured that it continued rather thatn collapse.
MG won't buy it as it's already bought Qvale for the Mangusta chassis. All the big names are struggling for profit at the moment (Ford et al).
BMW always seems to be in the money. They did great thing's with Morgan, so how about a BMW engineered SV8 with the M5's motor
This can then be backed up with a new Interceptor using the next generation M5's V10.
And now back to reality
BMW always seems to be in the money. They did great thing's with Morgan, so how about a BMW engineered SV8 with the M5's motor
This can then be backed up with a new Interceptor using the next generation M5's V10. And now back to reality
More realistic to say Morgan did great things with BMW.
BMW engined Jensen? No chance. BMW wouldn't let MG produce a hot MGF because it would have shown the Z3 up for the hairdresser's car it was. The SV8 would only do the same with the Z3's replacement.
So don't expect BMW to step in, but hopefully somebody will.
BMW engined Jensen? No chance. BMW wouldn't let MG produce a hot MGF because it would have shown the Z3 up for the hairdresser's car it was. The SV8 would only do the same with the Z3's replacement.
So don't expect BMW to step in, but hopefully somebody will.
I want to build a car just because I want to. It is a logical progression. I have to take my time though.
I will not employ people to build cars as this then creats a responsibility and a requirement to sell a certain number.
Zertec WILL build cars. People will pay for the car plus a moderate profit that will go towards development costs. I have no illusions about production lines and millions of pounds.
It can be done.
Clive "bonkers" Reed
I will not employ people to build cars as this then creats a responsibility and a requirement to sell a certain number.
Zertec WILL build cars. People will pay for the car plus a moderate profit that will go towards development costs. I have no illusions about production lines and millions of pounds.
It can be done.
Clive "bonkers" Reed
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