TVR moves production abroad.

[veedub 0]

Bloody shame, another British marque going down the pan!!

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6062084.stm

[mgbv8mike 0]

I live round the corner from the factory.....and know several people whom work there.....the first that the workers heard of it was when the local paper sent a reporter to the factory this monrning to get their views, according to the local rag they 'stormed into the building demanding to see Russian owner Nikolai Smolensk'.......my bet's that he was nowhere to be seen.

 

Since April when he laid off 71 staff, he has been 'persuading' the local council into giving him a deal on new premises, sounds like his bluff was called !

[Jim 2]

Sad to see so many car makers packing up and sodding off abroad.

 

Whatever happened to this great car making country?! Well - other than unions and striking a lot...

[billinjah 0]

well lets hope we see less tvr's on the hard shoulder their build quality is shockingly bad maybe it will improve somewhat in the future,, sad to see them leave the uk but cars built here are so bad manufacturers dont have any choice our workers want so much money but are under skilled compared with other countries not their fault but our economies, harsh but true!

[Andy665 0]

Who'd bet on production being moved to Russia - that will really doa lot for the build quality and reliability. Long been a fan of TVR but I fear this is the beginning of the end - they have no real market outside of the UK and who in their right mind will buy a TVR whens theres so much uncertainty about their future.,

 

All of this makes me realise just what a good job Peter Wheeler did

[ReekieVR 0]

Just posted this on the ( now 25 page ) "RE: FLASH: TVR MOVES TO EUROPE" thread:

 

 

Some thoughts:

 

Jo public doesnt really care where TVRs are made. They look and sound great so will always turn heads.

 

Car enthusiasts do know and care, but 99% didnt buy one due to whatever reason. Some may ASPIRE to own one, but promises and aspirations dont pay the bills.

 

Several people have said in previous posts: "well i will never buy one, now they are'nt made in great britain !". Really ? Even if the cost of running one halves, they look, sound and drive the same, and are as reliable as any German rival ( which mine is ! ) ?

 

Some who can afford to purchase and run a new TVR, may go for something else, but i think that loss will be more than offset by increased sales in new US and Europe markets opened up by getting the emissions cert. They wont really care where its made, as long as it works.

 

Its a pi$$er that another british car company moved to Europe, and i feel for the workers. But i just watched the CH4 news. The story was two after a report about someone putting their elbow through an expensive painting. It lasted all of 15 secs. Read into that what you will.

 

NS is a businessman. Only a fool would run a company at a loss to feed some sort of british pride, and those who suggest thats exactly what he, PW, or AN Other should do, is nutts.

 

NS hasnt handled the last 18 months very well at all. But i suspect this story aint finished yet.

 

Give it 5 years: we'll be saying "have you seen that mental new Tiv? Why have a Porker when you can get THAT for a similar price !" - and if its rock solid it will sell.

 

I own an "original, UK built" Tiv. I am a member of an enthusiastic car club, run by passionate and friendly people, supported by specialist indepandant garages. If anything, this news may help TVRCC and sporn an whole new raft of SMEs. I certainly hope so.

 

TVRs, their soul, their history wont just evapourate overnight.

Long live TVRUK !! Good luck TVREUROPE.

 

* Cherching ! *

[Andy665 0]

I'd love nothing more to see TVR grow and prosper but we'll have to wait and see. I heard today that the Sagaris has just increased in price from £49k to £58k. I'm sure this involves more equipment but its no longer a bargain supercar, theres no active safety equipment on them - its 911 money and I seriously doubt whether there are ever going to be enough people brave enough to sink their money into a TVR rather than a similarly priced TVR - I know I would if I could afford to but how many TVRs need to be sold every year for it to remain viable.

 

The world would be a poorer place if TVR disappeared - it will be interesting to see where production does move to

[Andy665 0]

News update on this and it's positive

 

Apparently the 2007 TVR's are going to built by Bertone in Italy whilst the engines are going to be built by Ricardo down in Worthing.

 

Two top class companies who really know what they're doing - certainly bodes well for improved quality and reliability

[Lippy 0]

where did you hear that mate? interesting an good news for TVR. Still not so good for the current staff.

 

I was wondering on the Pistonheads thread why no one had mentioned Ricardo. TVR also own a italian motorbike company aswell IIRC, maybe a clue to the bertone link.

 

I love TVR!

[Andy665 0]

Heard it from someone I know who woks at Autocar mag, believe its on nthe Autocar website now as well.

 

If anything I think this improves TVR's credibility in the marketplace - wonder if prices will need to rise again though!!!!

[mattnorgrove 0]

I think if the build quality improves and the prices remain the same (ish) then whilst it is admittedly sad to see another UK car brand move abroad, it can only mean good things for TVR.

 

I'd hate to see them disappear altogether, but as previously mentioned, the fact that they are now not truly british is bound to put some people off buying.

[Lippy 0]

if they are designed by a brit and the engine is british (makes a change) then I don't think you can argue about heritage too much.

 

Marcos / Noble are still british even tho they use american engines. Noble are produced in South Africa aswell - doesn't mean that I dont consider them english tho.

[Stan 24v 0]

I live round the corner from the factory.....and know several people whom work there.....the first that the workers heard of it was when the local paper sent a reporter to the factory this monrning to get their views, according to the local rag they 'stormed into the building demanding to see Russian owner Nikolai Smolensk'.......my bet's that he was nowhere to be seen.

 

Since April when he laid off 71 staff, he has been 'persuading' the local council into giving him a deal on new premises, sounds like his bluff was called !

 

Maybe we should pop down and take a pic of our C's under the TVR sign, before it disappears ;)

 

Also, just for reference - the TVR garage is actually opposite a rubbish/recycling tip. Read into that what you will :lol:

[mgbv8mike 0]

I'm game if you are Stan. !

[Stan 24v 0]

Defo mate. Will have to sort something out, maybe this weekend? I need to clean her first though :oops:

[mgbv8mike 0]

Saturday I'm fitting new suspension , the rear bushes may take a little time !!

Should be back on the road on Sunday (hopefully).

[Stan 24v 0]

OK, will sort something mate. I'll be in touch.

[mgbv8mike 0]

The Lombard Rally finishes on the promenade on Sunday, I'll get details.