is there a market for tvr in america
Discussion
There is absolutely a market for TVR in the US. In fact, there are at least 2 markets. Those that will buy the cars for the way they look, and those that buy them for the performance.
There really is nothing like them on the roads in the US.
There are a terrific number of enthusiasts in this country that are crying out for a car with a soul. Porsche is doing their best to dumb down their range so that anyone can drive them, and there are a LOT of people over here.
Outside of the obvious changes that will need to be made for the cars to even be legal over here (LHD, airbags, emissions control) TVR's biggest issue will be reliability. and how they stand up to the climate differences. New York, Florida and LA are 3 totally different climates and the warranty and dealer support is going to be crucial. In my 9 years over here, Americans aren't as tolerant as us, and won't put up with major issues. The 'Lemon Law' here could put TVR in deep financial trouble if they have a lot of issues.
There is definitely a market, but they have to approach it completely differently than the UK market.
I, for one, would love to see them ship chassis, engine, transmission and pieces over, and have them specifically assembled in the US for the US market. That way, any pieces specifically required for the US market can then be installed here and managed here.
Ok, enough from me. Can you tell I am just itching for them to land so I can have one in my garage ?
There really is nothing like them on the roads in the US.
There are a terrific number of enthusiasts in this country that are crying out for a car with a soul. Porsche is doing their best to dumb down their range so that anyone can drive them, and there are a LOT of people over here.
Outside of the obvious changes that will need to be made for the cars to even be legal over here (LHD, airbags, emissions control) TVR's biggest issue will be reliability. and how they stand up to the climate differences. New York, Florida and LA are 3 totally different climates and the warranty and dealer support is going to be crucial. In my 9 years over here, Americans aren't as tolerant as us, and won't put up with major issues. The 'Lemon Law' here could put TVR in deep financial trouble if they have a lot of issues.
There is definitely a market, but they have to approach it completely differently than the UK market.
I, for one, would love to see them ship chassis, engine, transmission and pieces over, and have them specifically assembled in the US for the US market. That way, any pieces specifically required for the US market can then be installed here and managed here.
Ok, enough from me. Can you tell I am just itching for them to land so I can have one in my garage ?
", for one, would love to see them ship chassis, engine, transmission and pieces over, and have them specifically assembled in the US for the us market. That way, any pieces specifically required for the US market can then be installed here and managed here. "
Then ship them back to the UK and maybe we would have a well put together car over here !! Sorry just couldnt resist !!!!
Then ship them back to the UK and maybe we would have a well put together car over here !! Sorry just couldnt resist !!!!
I tell ya what. There IS nothing like a tvr in the US right now. A Dodge Viper is close but sooo lame in comparison. The vipers engine sounds like a sleeping baby at idle!
The chassis is toooo heavy. And the looks...well...it is too american and therefore uncool. One problem with coming to America is assembling a dealer network. Prolly be just in big cities. Also those engines sound sooo d*mned good!!
If you put on all the EPA emission junk I wonder if the engine will sound like a sleeping baby too.
But as far as I know there are no federal noise limit regulations on cars so thats good. 
Furthermore I think there is a large market (compared to England) for this car in the US. The car can be inconvient as heck but as long as there is performace and character there are a large number of diehards here who would love it and love it the right way. (For its performance not status)
PiB
Edited by PiB on Friday 14th December 18:48
Edited by PiB on Friday 14th December 18:48
The chassis is toooo heavy. And the looks...well...it is too american and therefore uncool. One problem with coming to America is assembling a dealer network. Prolly be just in big cities. Also those engines sound sooo d*mned good!! If you put on all the EPA emission junk I wonder if the engine will sound like a sleeping baby too. But as far as I know there are no federal noise limit regulations on cars so thats good. Furthermore I think there is a large market (compared to England) for this car in the US. The car can be inconvient as heck but as long as there is performace and character there are a large number of diehards here who would love it and love it the right way. (For its performance not status)
PiB
Edited by PiB on Friday 14th December 18:48
Edited by PiB on Friday 14th December 18:48
You have to remember TVR still has a bad taste in its
mouth from its last experience in the USA in the mid
1980's. However, they had been the victim for years of
a poor dealer network, lack of support from the dealers
for their customers and their cars, as well as some
legal hassles about warranties, etc.
I have no doubt there is a waiting market for TVR in the USA judging from the volume of e-mail queries I have received in the past 18 months. However, TVR would have to be serious about having their quality
control spot-on, establishing a serious, top-notch distribution and dealer network, have a strong warranty plan, deliver exceptional service, and believe
in thorough customer followthrough. And that's just
the beginning.
If TVR (and other manufacturers not currently in the
US market) would build cars for the world market,
meeting the most stringent of current and planned standards, then they could sell them in every market.
But first, TVR needs to want to succeed in a new market and then commit itself to that success. It's
a tall order, but lots of folks over here would like
to see it happen.
mouth from its last experience in the USA in the mid
1980's. However, they had been the victim for years of
a poor dealer network, lack of support from the dealers
for their customers and their cars, as well as some
legal hassles about warranties, etc.
I have no doubt there is a waiting market for TVR in the USA judging from the volume of e-mail queries I have received in the past 18 months. However, TVR would have to be serious about having their quality
control spot-on, establishing a serious, top-notch distribution and dealer network, have a strong warranty plan, deliver exceptional service, and believe
in thorough customer followthrough. And that's just
the beginning.
If TVR (and other manufacturers not currently in the
US market) would build cars for the world market,
meeting the most stringent of current and planned standards, then they could sell them in every market.
But first, TVR needs to want to succeed in a new market and then commit itself to that success. It's
a tall order, but lots of folks over here would like
to see it happen.
I find all those references to the problems of the 1980's to be old and tired. Based on that argument, the British and Germans should still dislike each other over WW2!
Times change. I don't think TVR can succeed counting on 80% of its product being sold in the UK due to the high price of fuel, VAT and high taxes in general (let alone a government that is hardly car friendly). The European Union isn't that much more automotive friendly either. Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari are successful because they sell their product to one of the most affluent markets in the world. It may be arrogant, but it is true. TVR can price for warranties and great customer service. They can build the distribution system off of deposits for cars (look at all of the pre-orders on the Elise!). Are their cars emission friendly? I saw in Autocar that PW thinks their cars are. Are they safety friendly? Someone else needs to answer that question.
TVR has the potential to be the Ferrari/Porsche of our generation. I hope they seize the opportunity--but don't they have the gonads to do it.
Times change. I don't think TVR can succeed counting on 80% of its product being sold in the UK due to the high price of fuel, VAT and high taxes in general (let alone a government that is hardly car friendly). The European Union isn't that much more automotive friendly either. Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari are successful because they sell their product to one of the most affluent markets in the world. It may be arrogant, but it is true. TVR can price for warranties and great customer service. They can build the distribution system off of deposits for cars (look at all of the pre-orders on the Elise!). Are their cars emission friendly? I saw in Autocar that PW thinks their cars are. Are they safety friendly? Someone else needs to answer that question.
TVR has the potential to be the Ferrari/Porsche of our generation. I hope they seize the opportunity--but don't they have the gonads to do it.
quote:Old and tired they may be, but they still have relevance to TVR re-entering the US market. Marshall (Tasmin83) and I were around driving TVRs back then (on different sides of the pond) and I especially, from conversations with both Martin Lilley and Peter Wheeler, know how close TVR came, on two occasions, to folding due to US legislation.
I find all those references to the problems of the 1980's to be old and tired
quote:They have the gonads but not the multi-million dollar backing that Ferrari (FIAT) and Porsche (VAG Group) do.
TVR has the potential to be the Ferrari/Porsche of our generation. I hope they seize the opportunity--but don't they have the gonads to do it.
quote:We do still dislike each other, but that doesn't stop me from buying a new BMW every 3 years
the British and Germans should still dislike each other over WW2!
It's not going to happen.
The addition of all the safety/emissions devices would go against what PW believes a sports car is all about. Besides, can you see the AJP engine meeting the emissions regs in any format?
Commercially, it would take a massive investment. The prices of the cars would have to rise dramatically to match the new expenditure in these new devices and the new QA procedures put in place.
The TVR management model works in the UK, but they have no knowledge or expertese of establishing an operation abroad. There have been several abortive efforts at establishing factories elsewhere which have ended with TVR issuing curt PR statements about 'unrealistic' arrangements or 'contractual difficulties'.
I think if TVR were going to establish an American operation is would have happened by now. As time goes on, the laws and regs will get far more strict - a la California. They are getting worse here in the EU too though. 8(
Nevermind, you Americans can always come on holiday to Blackpool
The addition of all the safety/emissions devices would go against what PW believes a sports car is all about. Besides, can you see the AJP engine meeting the emissions regs in any format?
Commercially, it would take a massive investment. The prices of the cars would have to rise dramatically to match the new expenditure in these new devices and the new QA procedures put in place.
The TVR management model works in the UK, but they have no knowledge or expertese of establishing an operation abroad. There have been several abortive efforts at establishing factories elsewhere which have ended with TVR issuing curt PR statements about 'unrealistic' arrangements or 'contractual difficulties'.
I think if TVR were going to establish an American operation is would have happened by now. As time goes on, the laws and regs will get far more strict - a la California. They are getting worse here in the EU too though. 8(
Nevermind, you Americans can always come on holiday to Blackpool
It is extremely expensive and time consuming for a company to federalize a car and I don't think that TVR has the financial means or desire to jump through the hoops and tribulations it takes to get a car to the market here. If you've never read through the "rules book" a car manufacturer has to comply with to sell a car here these days, you really should. I only read parts of it and it gave me a huge headache! Actually, after reading parts of it, I was beginning to ask myself why anybody would want to do any business selling cars here in the US! The only thing I can think of is that it's not any different in the rest of the world, but since each country has their own bureaucrats, it makes it somewhat impossible to design just one car that complies with all those rules. Which brings me to the idea I have been toying around with...a number of people on this forum have inquired about disassembling a TVR and bringinging it to the US in kit form. What if TVR would start selling some of their cars in kit form like Lotus used to many years ago? Are they afraid that it would cheapen the brand or their image? Crazy idea? Maybe, but if somebody could talk TVR into doing that we might be able to drive TVRs here in the US again. Granted, the market would be a lot smaller, because there's not many people with the money AND time that want to take on a project like that, but still, it's an idea...
While some of you may find references to problems in the USA in the 1980's to be "old and tired", as Terminator pointed out, they still have relevance. If
TVR can assume the financial obligation of building cars for the US market, that is just the first step
towards succeeding in the market.
True, lots of different markets have varied standards
but all manufacturers would benefit if they would lobby all governments to adopt "world standards" for automotive manufacturer so that they don't have to
tool up for each different market. TVR would also need to carefully study the US marketplace and come up with a workable strategy to market its product in this market. You can't just take deposits and build a distribution system off of them.
I don't believe sending TVRs to the US in kit form would be a workable solution because then you have the problem of getting them assembled correctly so that owners aren't riddled with all kinds of resulting service problems. Plus, when you are talking about an
automobile in this price range, people expect consistent quality, service and support. Can that be
guaranteed with a kit-car approach?
Yes, it will take a lot of money. It will take a lot of careful study and planning, and the establishment of a solid distribution and dealer network that not
only understands the TVR marque but can market it and
support it. Also, you need a dedicated advertising campaign to promote the product to a market, most of
which, has no idea what a TVR is, nor why they should
spend their money on it.
It will not be an easy task, but the real question is
is it one which TVR is prepared to undertake?
TVR can assume the financial obligation of building cars for the US market, that is just the first step
towards succeeding in the market.
True, lots of different markets have varied standards
but all manufacturers would benefit if they would lobby all governments to adopt "world standards" for automotive manufacturer so that they don't have to
tool up for each different market. TVR would also need to carefully study the US marketplace and come up with a workable strategy to market its product in this market. You can't just take deposits and build a distribution system off of them.
I don't believe sending TVRs to the US in kit form would be a workable solution because then you have the problem of getting them assembled correctly so that owners aren't riddled with all kinds of resulting service problems. Plus, when you are talking about an
automobile in this price range, people expect consistent quality, service and support. Can that be
guaranteed with a kit-car approach?
Yes, it will take a lot of money. It will take a lot of careful study and planning, and the establishment of a solid distribution and dealer network that not
only understands the TVR marque but can market it and
support it. Also, you need a dedicated advertising campaign to promote the product to a market, most of
which, has no idea what a TVR is, nor why they should
spend their money on it.
It will not be an easy task, but the real question is
is it one which TVR is prepared to undertake?
I would say YES because the premium manufacturers (Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborgini, Bentley, Rolls, Aston, etc.) make a substantial portion of their global profits here in the USA.
Renault? Peugeot? Fiat? Alfa Romeo? Their products are geared for a wider audience.
TVR will do very well in the USA focusing on their market niche--premier performance cars.
Renault? Peugeot? Fiat? Alfa Romeo? Their products are geared for a wider audience.
TVR will do very well in the USA focusing on their market niche--premier performance cars.
Unfortuantly, I agree with alot of the pessimism mentioned here. But the desire to have TVR in the usa is soo great. Good point was made below.
Morgan is lower volume than TVR, no?
I think a lot of Americans would stumble over the reliability issues. So of us would get it, understand that that is apart of owning a great car but so many wealthy Americans will just like the looks and sounds of a TVR and then be let down with reliabilty and spread a bad vibe in the market.
I can't help but wonder if Americas strict car standards are a form of import protectionism raising the cost of imports or adding to barriers to entry. US manufactuerers are simply inferior to Asian and German manufa.. (Not going to mention where English builders fit in.)
Despite my pessimism I do believe somehow some way TVR WILL make into the US in the near future.
quote:
I know the rules are complicated, but I have to ask:
H O W D O E S M O R G A N D O I T?
Morgan is lower volume than TVR, no?
I think a lot of Americans would stumble over the reliability issues. So of us would get it, understand that that is apart of owning a great car but so many wealthy Americans will just like the looks and sounds of a TVR and then be let down with reliabilty and spread a bad vibe in the market.
I can't help but wonder if Americas strict car standards are a form of import protectionism raising the cost of imports or adding to barriers to entry. US manufactuerers are simply inferior to Asian and German manufa.. (Not going to mention where English builders fit in.
) Despite my pessimism I do believe somehow some way TVR WILL make into the US in the near future.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Porsche and Ferrari makes GOBS of money selling each car?
I do agree that bringing in TVR's engineless and re-istalling the engine once here could diminish the marques reputation.
As for advertising, yes, that costs money, but doing road tests in the prominent magazines doesn't cost anything other than making sure the car is properly prepared. I think TVR competing in the ALMS would help its prominence--but I'm sure that is expensive (combination of TVR and the dealer network absorbing the cost?).
PW has taken TVR from a car that was slightly better than a kit car to creating beautiful sounding powerful engines with interior design that is decidely 21st century. The TVR of the 1980's was never a candidate to succeed in the global marketplace. The TVR of 2002 is a well positioned company that could be very successful--if they want to. Maybe it is the British way to waste great opportunities?
I do agree that bringing in TVR's engineless and re-istalling the engine once here could diminish the marques reputation.
As for advertising, yes, that costs money, but doing road tests in the prominent magazines doesn't cost anything other than making sure the car is properly prepared. I think TVR competing in the ALMS would help its prominence--but I'm sure that is expensive (combination of TVR and the dealer network absorbing the cost?).
PW has taken TVR from a car that was slightly better than a kit car to creating beautiful sounding powerful engines with interior design that is decidely 21st century. The TVR of the 1980's was never a candidate to succeed in the global marketplace. The TVR of 2002 is a well positioned company that could be very successful--if they want to. Maybe it is the British way to waste great opportunities?
I agree that it would take alot of money and effort to make any of tvr's engines meet U.S. smog regulations. I also believe that Tvr would be hard pressed to develop an airbag steering wheel that would do justice to their interiors. advertising is already underway with the tuscan being fetured in the blockbuster american movie 'Swordfish'. How many people went to see that movie and left saying "WHAT WAS THAT @$%&! AWESOME CAR AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE!!!!!"? I hve been a huge TVR fan for years now and have been waiting in agony for them to arrive in the U.S. Sure it would be a large investment for TVR, but I can almost garentee that the cars would sell like hotcakes. The US could eaisly become their largest market.
Gassing Station | TVR in USA | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff