Is TVR for sale?
Discussion
This is all I know. www.xpower-mg.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8611
I've checked news etc. nothing.
I've checked news etc. nothing.
Seems that TVR is probably not for sale at the moment, and that the rumours are based on the MGR visit.
However, the day will come when when PW no longer can run the company. I hope it's a long, long way off, because I rather feel he's the type who will keep some involvement till the bitter end...
But, apart from that, one day I want to buy a new TVR. At the moment, that's looking like being in about 10 years time or more, as I work my way up the automotive property ladder. I'm deeply concerned that TVR as we know it might not be around at that time.
Is there anything that we, as enthusiasts and the company's customer base, can do to ensure that the company stays in the shape it is now? Do other people (as do I) feel that it's in the right shape now?
My feeling is that if someone like MGR bought the company, then we would be very unlikely to see another car like the Tuscan. It's just too bold and outrageous for a board room. Something like that, I feel, needs to be designed with the prime decision makers direct involvment (exactly as happens at TVR now). I don't believe it could ever have emerged from committee (as I recal, the camel is the first attempt at the horse, but designed by committee).
Are there any thirty year old tycoons out there who fancy being groomed by PW to buy the company in a few years, and take on just about the best job in the world? (Don't forget, not only do you get to work with the best car designers on the planet, but you also get to drive TVR racing cars, prototypes, and just about any TVR you like - what could be a better antidote to those harsh years in the trading pit?)
However, the day will come when when PW no longer can run the company. I hope it's a long, long way off, because I rather feel he's the type who will keep some involvement till the bitter end...
But, apart from that, one day I want to buy a new TVR. At the moment, that's looking like being in about 10 years time or more, as I work my way up the automotive property ladder. I'm deeply concerned that TVR as we know it might not be around at that time.
Is there anything that we, as enthusiasts and the company's customer base, can do to ensure that the company stays in the shape it is now? Do other people (as do I) feel that it's in the right shape now?
My feeling is that if someone like MGR bought the company, then we would be very unlikely to see another car like the Tuscan. It's just too bold and outrageous for a board room. Something like that, I feel, needs to be designed with the prime decision makers direct involvment (exactly as happens at TVR now). I don't believe it could ever have emerged from committee (as I recal, the camel is the first attempt at the horse, but designed by committee).
Are there any thirty year old tycoons out there who fancy being groomed by PW to buy the company in a few years, and take on just about the best job in the world? (Don't forget, not only do you get to work with the best car designers on the planet, but you also get to drive TVR racing cars, prototypes, and just about any TVR you like - what could be a better antidote to those harsh years in the trading pit?)
plewis66 said:
Are there any thirty year old tycoons out there who fancy being groomed by PW to buy the company in a few years, and take on just about the best job in the world? (Don't forget, not only do you get to work with the best car designers on the planet, but you also get to drive TVR racing cars, prototypes, and just about any TVR you like - what could be a better antidote to those harsh years in the trading pit?)
Annoying Ginger tossers who dress like 50 year old country gents and laugh at their own jokes need not apply.
plewis66 said:
Do other people (as do I) feel that it's in the right shape now?
Burriana says; YES
[quote=plewis66]
Are there any thirty year old tycoons out there who fancy being groomed by PW to buy the company in a few years, and take on just about the best job in the world?
Burriana says; YES
If you could just possibly manage a small loan, I'll be there tomorrow
marki said:Because I assumed some of you on here might know before ringing TVR themselves
Spoke to Ben Samualson at TVR Engineering this morning, and no,TVR isn't for sale. Sorry for the scare chaps.
hmmm so why not verify before ,,, oh well its the same old chesnut as it always is
plewis66 said:
Do other people (as do I) feel that it's in the right shape now?
No, I have to disagree. Although TVR turned in a modest profit in 2002, they are still using cash rather than generating it. For them to prosper in the medium to long term they need to start generating cash.
I think its great that they continue to produce fantastic cars, but they need a sound financial footing to continue doing so.
cerbman said:
Spoke to Ben Samualson at TVR Engineering this morning, and no,TVR isn't for sale. Sorry for the scare chaps.
Ben Samuelson is not (IIRC) a Director. On this basis, senior as he is, I doubt he would know if there were early discussions.
I'm not implying that TVR is for sale, but the pragmatic view would be that most private companies are on the market if they are approached with the right deal. Mr Wheeler's not a spring chicken any more. He wouldn't be a businessman if he didn't have one eye on the right time to cash in on his investment, and I wouldn't try and second-guess when that might be.
Let's say someone did buy it - there would be a couple of reasons they might do that
1) To remove TVR from their market. I doubt that TVR do much damage to many of the really big boys, certainly not enough for them to sink the sort of cash that PW would be looking for.
2) to complement their existing range. More likely, I'd say. And in that case they would certainly be looking at why people buy TVRs, and what elements of the Brand 'personality' attract customers. They would be unlikely to water that down much, because they would be at risk of losing the unique elements that protect TVR from a head on battle for the 'Boxster' market (which they would lose, because of the strength of Porsche), or worse still, falling in to the realms of the low-cost roadster market. On the other hand, a larger company might have the infrastructure support to sort out some of the engineering problems without increasing costs too much.
In conclusion. 1) There's not much point in speculating - one thing is for sure, PW will do what he wants, when he wants. And if there is any sort of deal in the offing, it's unlikely that more than 2 or 3 people would know about it until after due diligence. 2) The sort of companies that might be interested would almost certainly want it to strengthen their market offering and maintain its competitive position, so panicking might be a bit premature.
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