RE: TVR clarifies production plans
Friday 3rd December 2004
TVR clarifies production plans
Only 500 of any model will ever be made, says spokesman
Clarification of TVR's production plans has emerged from TVR's ex-PR bod Ben Samuelson, now describing himself 'a TVR spokesman'.
According to Samuelson, the plan remains as it ever was, to produce only 500 of each model, each one numbered on the kick-plate. This will be irrespective of customer demand, said Samuelson. "There will only ever be 500 of each model".
However, Samuelson added that after the 500th Sagaris that he couldn't say that TVR would never build another car called a Sagaris, but that a Mark II would be akin to a VW Golf-style upgrade: same philosophy, different body.
Samuelson, who left shortly after ex-owner Peter Wheeler departed has now returned. He added that his own status under new owner Nikolai Smolenski's regime was "unannounced." He was not in charge of PR -- that remains Ian Law's responsibility -- but his status "will be announced later".
Discussion
Absolutely ridiculous, whether its PR marketing bullsh*t or otherwise. Unless this is to get around type approval laws (and from what I've read elsewhere this isn't the case), it makes no sense whatsoever, just total madness; "that model is selling well but oops we've made too many, you'll have to have something else sir". 
AlexH said:Ferrari often did limited runs to maintain exclusivity and keep prices at the level they wanted. The history books show than some were produced well in excess of the numbers Ferrari released
Absolutely ridiculous, whether its PR marketing bullsh*t or otherwise. Unless this is to get around type approval laws (and from what I've read elsewhere this isn't the case), it makes no sense whatsoever, just total madness; "that model is selling well but oops we've made too many, you'll have to have something else sir".
RichB said:Indeed, rather their disorganised ideas that the clinical organisation, comittitees, lawyers and bean-counters that cause most new cars to be far beyond dull!
These guys are complete amateurs - that's whay we love them
Not many left are there, TVR, Morgan, Ginetta... Rich...
Hopefully the dust will settle in the new year and we'll get a better picture of things.
Jem said:Please don't jump on the "let's knock TVR bandwagon" it's rather tedious and dare I say it makes one sound ill informed. You cannot seriously suggest that the Griffith still had teething troubles? And yet they only made 100 of those SE models which conforms nicely with what TVR are proposing.
And does this also mean that TVR will never make enough of any model to get beyond the teething troubles stage? 
Rich...RichB said:
These guys are complete amateurs -
Yes, but I reckon you can delete Morgan from that list these days.
There seems to be a small left hand/right hand communication issue within TVR, judging by recent events.
You could argue that TVR has been making around 500 cars and then changing them slightly for years anyway. Tuscan is a short wheelbase Cerbera, Tamora/T350 are even shorter wheelbase Tuscans, Sagaris is a wide T350 etc. The only truly different model in the range is the T400R, which has entirely different rear suspension/uprights/wishbones/floorpan etc.
Unless TVR plans to enter a whole new market sector using different engines and a new layout (mid-engined?), they can carry on as they are and no one would really be any the wiser. 500 Sagaris, then redesign the seat cushions and make 500 Sagaris 2s, ad infinitum.
unrepentant said:
How often do TVR make more than 500 of a model anyway? Take the Tuscan 1. I believe estimates of total production are about 1000. Within that you've got Tuscan 4.0, Tuscan 4.0 RR, Tuscan S, Tuscan 3.6, all different models. Any of them over 500?
I wouldn't be surprised if none of them have (along as we're agreeing that those examples can actually be classed as different models, although I reckon thats debatable), but why restrict themselves? I don't really buy the argument that it will enhance exclusivity, as TVR's are fairly rare anyway, and all I can see it meaning is that they may have to perform unneccessary facelifts on future models that do sell well so they can claim they are different models.
Edit to say this is a reply to RichB. Must learn to type faster...
No! I meant that they're pretty organised these days. After all, they've just got approval to sell the Aero 8 in the U.S, so they must be doing something right.
Morgan has been very canny of late and, far from being the amusing little company it was, now produces a pretty high-tech chassis and exports to the U.S. The Aero 8 might not be to everyone's taste, but it's a quality product and clearly pretty quick - witness its performance on Top Gear. Truly awsome noise, too - like an aero engine.
>> Edited by Ahonen on Friday 3rd December 13:08
No! I meant that they're pretty organised these days. After all, they've just got approval to sell the Aero 8 in the U.S, so they must be doing something right.
Morgan has been very canny of late and, far from being the amusing little company it was, now produces a pretty high-tech chassis and exports to the U.S. The Aero 8 might not be to everyone's taste, but it's a quality product and clearly pretty quick - witness its performance on Top Gear. Truly awsome noise, too - like an aero engine.
>> Edited by Ahonen on Friday 3rd December 13:08
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