Starting a car company?!?!
Discussion
So, I've always wanted to design and build cars, but not for someone else's well established company. Oh no, I'm talking about something that's left field and performs to an aspiration vision of my very own. The trouble is, where the hell do you start? These days it costs billions to develop a competitive car that can be sold in multiple markets. Plus there's the small question of knowing who to approach for funding, as suppliers, as a dealer network, etc.
This is where I'm hoping you splendid people can help me out. I need pointers, lots of pointers, and potential business partners, investors and generally people with expertise in start-ups and the automotive industry. I like to think of myself as being pretty switched-on and commercial, plus I have a burning passion for all things automotive and an entrepreneurial spirit. However, I need more than positive thinking and only a handful of contacts. I also need people with experience to be involved from the outset.
So what's my vision? Well, let me share a few gems with you...
My idea was to create a visceral experience similar to that which could be experienced in TVR's and cars from before the 1990's, when car companies started to decide that drivers need electronic aids for everything, shouldn't have to put effort into anything, and generally needed shielding from the diabolical risks of driving on the open road.
In terms of power, I've been looking at three engine variants, creating either a 3-tier car, or 3 separate cars based around the same platform. They're all BMW M-Power engines, and all are now out of production for one reason or another. The baby of the family would be a tuned version of the N45B20S engine found in the E90 320Si (174hp in standard tune). The next (fairly big) step up would be the S54B32S engine found in the E46 M3 CSL (355hp in full CSL fettle). Finally, the big daddy of the family would be the P60B40 engine found in the E46 M3 GTR (good for 493hp once M-Division had worked their magic).
As with many a great performance car, I was thinking of a front-mid engine layout on a rear wheel drive platform. The dream would be a carbon-composite monocoque chassis with lightweight (fully independent) suspension components to keep un-sprung mass to an absolute minimum. On the basis that we live in modern times, and with a view to appealing to everyone with a driving licence, it would probably have to be offered with a type of dual-clutch automatic (or perhaps even a race-derived sequential gearbox?!). However, a rifle-shot action manual would most definitely be the standard fit item.
With performance in mind, I would probably look to Prodrive and the venerable David Richard to tune the performance of the chassis and steering. After all, just look what they were able to achieve with Jaguar, Aston Martin and hosts of other mainstream manufacturers over recent years. they also have facilities for mass-producing carbon structures and elements. Ricardo might be responsible for engineering transmission solutions, in conjunction with big players such as Quaife and Getrag.
I know that this wouldn't be able to compete with the likes of Audi for fit and finish or Porsche for finesse, but what it can be is fun. Serious fun that's for the committed, enthusiastic and passionate, but not those only with pockets lined with gold. I appreciate the fact that it would need to undercut rivals by a significant margin in order to be a viable option for most people.
So, if you like the sound of the above and are serious about starting something amazing, please get in touch with me. I'm itching to get the wheels in motion, whilst still holding out for that Euromillions win....
This is where I'm hoping you splendid people can help me out. I need pointers, lots of pointers, and potential business partners, investors and generally people with expertise in start-ups and the automotive industry. I like to think of myself as being pretty switched-on and commercial, plus I have a burning passion for all things automotive and an entrepreneurial spirit. However, I need more than positive thinking and only a handful of contacts. I also need people with experience to be involved from the outset.
So what's my vision? Well, let me share a few gems with you...
My idea was to create a visceral experience similar to that which could be experienced in TVR's and cars from before the 1990's, when car companies started to decide that drivers need electronic aids for everything, shouldn't have to put effort into anything, and generally needed shielding from the diabolical risks of driving on the open road.
In terms of power, I've been looking at three engine variants, creating either a 3-tier car, or 3 separate cars based around the same platform. They're all BMW M-Power engines, and all are now out of production for one reason or another. The baby of the family would be a tuned version of the N45B20S engine found in the E90 320Si (174hp in standard tune). The next (fairly big) step up would be the S54B32S engine found in the E46 M3 CSL (355hp in full CSL fettle). Finally, the big daddy of the family would be the P60B40 engine found in the E46 M3 GTR (good for 493hp once M-Division had worked their magic).
As with many a great performance car, I was thinking of a front-mid engine layout on a rear wheel drive platform. The dream would be a carbon-composite monocoque chassis with lightweight (fully independent) suspension components to keep un-sprung mass to an absolute minimum. On the basis that we live in modern times, and with a view to appealing to everyone with a driving licence, it would probably have to be offered with a type of dual-clutch automatic (or perhaps even a race-derived sequential gearbox?!). However, a rifle-shot action manual would most definitely be the standard fit item.
With performance in mind, I would probably look to Prodrive and the venerable David Richard to tune the performance of the chassis and steering. After all, just look what they were able to achieve with Jaguar, Aston Martin and hosts of other mainstream manufacturers over recent years. they also have facilities for mass-producing carbon structures and elements. Ricardo might be responsible for engineering transmission solutions, in conjunction with big players such as Quaife and Getrag.
I know that this wouldn't be able to compete with the likes of Audi for fit and finish or Porsche for finesse, but what it can be is fun. Serious fun that's for the committed, enthusiastic and passionate, but not those only with pockets lined with gold. I appreciate the fact that it would need to undercut rivals by a significant margin in order to be a viable option for most people.
So, if you like the sound of the above and are serious about starting something amazing, please get in touch with me. I'm itching to get the wheels in motion, whilst still holding out for that Euromillions win....
Which is exactly the problem. Too many sceptics and not enough dreamers. Everyone has to start somewhere. Even Porsche started out as an electric powered cart. Why should people just accept that the car companies that currently exist will be sufficient?
Every single car company started out somewhere, whether from afresh or as a skunkworks project. Who says no other start-ups can go to the party? If enough people with enough passion work together, it can happen. That's how dreams become reality.
Every single car company started out somewhere, whether from afresh or as a skunkworks project. Who says no other start-ups can go to the party? If enough people with enough passion work together, it can happen. That's how dreams become reality.
Here's a pre-written press release, courtesy of Sniff Petrol.
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue075.html
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue075.html
Telsa for example and i know they are totally different, but spunked 400 million a a hat drop, from scratch, and this is the founder of paypal.
i say 20 - 50 million gets you 3 cars with carbon fibre and all that.
look at bristol, weismann tvr, wildcat the list goes. it is just not viable unless you have at least 100 million to start.
i say 20 - 50 million gets you 3 cars with carbon fibre and all that.
look at bristol, weismann tvr, wildcat the list goes. it is just not viable unless you have at least 100 million to start.
Edited by The Spruce goose on Monday 3rd February 23:23
For a start, You should probably start with a well researched engine range which is still in production and attainable for a small company and a genuine understanding of the engineering & construction methods required and business environment which you'll be operating in.
Im sure many (including me) have a similar dream, but whilst you can only operate as an uninformed project manager - it'll be just that, a dream.
Im not saying give up, but spend a few years in manufacturing/the automotive industry in some capacity first, or build a fortune to spend on it.
Ps. I'm willing to help, although you have an uphill struggle!
Im sure many (including me) have a similar dream, but whilst you can only operate as an uninformed project manager - it'll be just that, a dream.
Im not saying give up, but spend a few years in manufacturing/the automotive industry in some capacity first, or build a fortune to spend on it.
Ps. I'm willing to help, although you have an uphill struggle!
Edited by crosseyedlion on Monday 3rd February 23:46
davepoth said:
Here's a pre-written press release, courtesy of Sniff Petrol.
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue075.html
These are excellent posts. The nonsense of the Panther company offerings years ago, over many years at various shows that never materialised, following the demise of the original company, to drum up business only to fade till next year, typified that process for me. Talking a good job and promising a good job is a whole lot easier than actuallydoing a good job. As I am afraid many "car" companies have found out. As have their creditors. Caveat Emptor rules OK?http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue075.html
hairykrishna said:
What an odd thread. Are you nine years old?
You don't have the money, the contacts, any experience designing cars or any experience going from design to production. Exactly what would you bring to this new company?
This is exactly my point. Anything is possible, but to make it possible you have to bring something to the table.You don't have the money, the contacts, any experience designing cars or any experience going from design to production. Exactly what would you bring to this new company?
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