Importing and servicing TVRs to the US
Discussion
As a dedicated TVR owner I'd love to see TVR export cars to the US, however to do this they must:
a) meet some really stupid homoligation laws
b) have a dedicated service team or partner to provide warranty and servicing needs
c) manage the price to be cost effective and competitive in the on-the-road price. Taking into account exchange rates, servicing, recalls (after care), marketing, training, etc
d) I'm sure there are other reasons.
Now I did hear a rumour than Penske were talking to TVR to establish a servicing network, however, in the UK TVR trained mechanics seem to be as rare as rocking horse sh@t, so how would this transpose to the needs of the US? TVR would have to dedicate resources and perhaps money to train technicians and agree warranty, parts and support contracts/logistics/pricing/availability.
I'd be more than happy to help structure and create a feasibility plan, for free, that covers most of these issues by talking to and working with TVR, it's suppliers and warranty partners (which Warranty Holdings appear to be one of, partially owned by Ford, so is this an advantage). However, it does need some US serious interest, perhaps some US financial backing and some serious marketing effort in the US. Any US people interested? What an opportunity or are we wasting our time? Do we really think TVR haven't gone to all this trouble already?
Comments please.
a) meet some really stupid homoligation laws
b) have a dedicated service team or partner to provide warranty and servicing needs
c) manage the price to be cost effective and competitive in the on-the-road price. Taking into account exchange rates, servicing, recalls (after care), marketing, training, etc
d) I'm sure there are other reasons.
Now I did hear a rumour than Penske were talking to TVR to establish a servicing network, however, in the UK TVR trained mechanics seem to be as rare as rocking horse sh@t, so how would this transpose to the needs of the US? TVR would have to dedicate resources and perhaps money to train technicians and agree warranty, parts and support contracts/logistics/pricing/availability.
I'd be more than happy to help structure and create a feasibility plan, for free, that covers most of these issues by talking to and working with TVR, it's suppliers and warranty partners (which Warranty Holdings appear to be one of, partially owned by Ford, so is this an advantage). However, it does need some US serious interest, perhaps some US financial backing and some serious marketing effort in the US. Any US people interested? What an opportunity or are we wasting our time? Do we really think TVR haven't gone to all this trouble already?
Comments please.
I think there are plenty of people interested.
I would gladly put a deposit down for a new TVR NOW if TVR would deliver their product in 30 months. TVR could use the deposit to develop the necessary infrastructure and make their product compliant.
How many of us would be willing deposit $10,000 NOW with the provision that the car would be sold for UK MSRP adjusted for exchange rate and in your hands in 30 months--letting TVR keep the 15% saved by no VAT for product development? I think several thousand orders would be easy with a snowball effect as more TVR's hit the streets.
This forum (TVR in USA) was originally started in 2001 thanks to the enthusiasm generated by the movie Swordfish--where the Tuscan was the star. TVR had a grand opportunity to build on that momentum (free advertising too) and didn't seize it.
PS The deposits would have to go to the factory (or an entity of Pesnke's calliber) with a guarantee that the deposits would be refundable with interest if their TVR was not delivered to the customer by an agreed period of time
I would gladly put a deposit down for a new TVR NOW if TVR would deliver their product in 30 months. TVR could use the deposit to develop the necessary infrastructure and make their product compliant.
How many of us would be willing deposit $10,000 NOW with the provision that the car would be sold for UK MSRP adjusted for exchange rate and in your hands in 30 months--letting TVR keep the 15% saved by no VAT for product development? I think several thousand orders would be easy with a snowball effect as more TVR's hit the streets.
This forum (TVR in USA) was originally started in 2001 thanks to the enthusiasm generated by the movie Swordfish--where the Tuscan was the star. TVR had a grand opportunity to build on that momentum (free advertising too) and didn't seize it.
PS The deposits would have to go to the factory (or an entity of Pesnke's calliber) with a guarantee that the deposits would be refundable with interest if their TVR was not delivered to the customer by an agreed period of time
Gassing Station | TVR in USA | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff