Re : Joint venture to make and sell Atom's in China
Discussion
Forget about China - they should 'setup a joint venture to make and sell cars' in Essex!
I would love to get my hands on an Atom, but am concerned that the used market seems to be quite controlled and not liquid. Yes I know they don't come up for sale very often - but perhaps that's partly due to the fact that owners only real option other than perhaps eBay is to ask the factory in Somerset to sell it for them. The factories own website has had the same dozen or so examples on it for ages with SOLD over the pictures, and they freely admit people buy them quicker than they can list them.
Also, I don't fancy having to go down to Somerset for a service ( ok Lotus etc could do it, but we all like original FSH ), or wait for them to post me a part if I lose an indicator or mirror etc.
Don't get me wrong - I know owning an Atom isn't like owning a Ford, but it wouldn't hurt if there was somewhere else in the UK ( perhaps near the other side of the country - near large population of London / Essex ), that was a recognised centre for these cars - that bought and sold used examples, offered servicing etc.
I think they could really expand operations in the UK, and it's a shame that they are looking outside of the country first...
Just my two-pence worth anyway. Anyone got an Atom for sale??? :-)
I would love to get my hands on an Atom, but am concerned that the used market seems to be quite controlled and not liquid. Yes I know they don't come up for sale very often - but perhaps that's partly due to the fact that owners only real option other than perhaps eBay is to ask the factory in Somerset to sell it for them. The factories own website has had the same dozen or so examples on it for ages with SOLD over the pictures, and they freely admit people buy them quicker than they can list them.
Also, I don't fancy having to go down to Somerset for a service ( ok Lotus etc could do it, but we all like original FSH ), or wait for them to post me a part if I lose an indicator or mirror etc.
Don't get me wrong - I know owning an Atom isn't like owning a Ford, but it wouldn't hurt if there was somewhere else in the UK ( perhaps near the other side of the country - near large population of London / Essex ), that was a recognised centre for these cars - that bought and sold used examples, offered servicing etc.
I think they could really expand operations in the UK, and it's a shame that they are looking outside of the country first...
Just my two-pence worth anyway. Anyone got an Atom for sale??? :-)
Another tuppence...
Point one: As with every single specialist vehicle, one sales conduit is the owner's club. The AAOC has sold quite a few cars and they do go as fast as they come on the market - mostly thanks to a long (almost a year now) waiting list. Plus they often come up for sale on Pistonheads - there's on on right now... see classifieds...
Point two: You can service cars yourself, or get a Honda dealer to do it, or a specialist race technician or engineer. It doesn't have to go back to Somerset. Mine does, but that's because I'm a) technically inept, and b) I trust them with my life - literally.
Point three: Nice idea, and as a Londoner, I'd go for that. There was one company, but sadly they passed on last year. However, the odd trip to Somerset is a great excuse to drive the car, and any excuse will do... Postage is REALLY efficient and they often send stuff before we even pay for it! And sometimes, it's free!
Point four: Simon doesn't want to expand in the UK, he likes the fact that it's a small car company and wants to keep it that way. It's a small car company in the US and it'll be a small car company in China. Small car companies can do things that big ones can't.
If you want one, check out the pistonheads classifieds, and the AAOC forum.
Point one: As with every single specialist vehicle, one sales conduit is the owner's club. The AAOC has sold quite a few cars and they do go as fast as they come on the market - mostly thanks to a long (almost a year now) waiting list. Plus they often come up for sale on Pistonheads - there's on on right now... see classifieds...
Point two: You can service cars yourself, or get a Honda dealer to do it, or a specialist race technician or engineer. It doesn't have to go back to Somerset. Mine does, but that's because I'm a) technically inept, and b) I trust them with my life - literally.
Point three: Nice idea, and as a Londoner, I'd go for that. There was one company, but sadly they passed on last year. However, the odd trip to Somerset is a great excuse to drive the car, and any excuse will do... Postage is REALLY efficient and they often send stuff before we even pay for it! And sometimes, it's free!
Point four: Simon doesn't want to expand in the UK, he likes the fact that it's a small car company and wants to keep it that way. It's a small car company in the US and it'll be a small car company in China. Small car companies can do things that big ones can't.
If you want one, check out the pistonheads classifieds, and the AAOC forum.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I have already looked on the AAOC, their For Sale page looks promising but says at the top "The cars below are all sold!"
As for the PistonHeads classifieds, sadly there is only 1 for sale, which is a CAT-D repaired example :-(
I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe I can import one from China in the near future?!!!
I have already looked on the AAOC, their For Sale page looks promising but says at the top "The cars below are all sold!"
As for the PistonHeads classifieds, sadly there is only 1 for sale, which is a CAT-D repaired example :-(
I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe I can import one from China in the near future?!!!
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