TVR London - Not selling new cars apparently
Discussion
I'm a bit confused over this. I went into the new London showroom last Saturday and booked a test drive for the Sagaris and Tuscan for this weekend. I called them today to ask if I could move the time forward only to be told TVR HQ has decided not to sell new cars from the London showroom and I'd have to go to another dealer to buy a car.
Seems a bit odd to me. Why would you invest in a prime London location if you were not going to sell cars?
Seems a bit odd to me. Why would you invest in a prime London location if you were not going to sell cars?
Maybe the London area dealers have kicked up a fuss saying TVR will take business away from them. I can see the point.
However, I am beginning to wonder about whether TVR is right for me in the future. No direct contact with the factory, lots of other small changes. Makes them more of a mainstream manufacturer (which I guess is the objective). However, in that case why don't I just buy another brand. What attracted me to TVR was the cottage industry, be British, back of a shed and still better than Porsche thing.
My next car could well end up being German or Japanese at this rate...
However, I am beginning to wonder about whether TVR is right for me in the future. No direct contact with the factory, lots of other small changes. Makes them more of a mainstream manufacturer (which I guess is the objective). However, in that case why don't I just buy another brand. What attracted me to TVR was the cottage industry, be British, back of a shed and still better than Porsche thing.
My next car could well end up being German or Japanese at this rate...
los angeles said:
Hi Targarama! A quick look at you profile pic always cheers me up, but your comments leave a lot to think about. TVR seem to be in a state of flux, PR wobbly.
This is just my personal view. We can assume Smolensky didn't buy TVR to lose money. Thing is, in the bid to make money is he going to do what everyone thinks Glazier (sp?) will do to Mudchester Untied? I think the majority would prefer TVR to prosper while keeping a little of the original spirit.
Golden Boy said:
Yes. Very impressive, decent display of cars, all as you would expect. Access is tricky, especially getting out. However I understand it is just a 'showroom', not a dealership, whatever that means...
As I said in a previous TVR London thread.
It makes a lot of sense. London is a showcase showroom to view product, which will attract visitors from all over the world, potentially. If you wish to buy you are refered to a dealer or distributor who handles the transaction.
This also ties in with the closure of the factory sales, service and repair depts, allowing official dealers to handle ALL customers directly. This should be good news for the dealers and customers in the long term, as dealers are no longer competing with the factory. It also means the factory can focus on building cars. All good IMO.
targarama said:
However, in that case why don't I just buy another brand. What attracted me to TVR was the cottage industry, be British, back of a shed and still better than Porsche thing.
My next car could well end up being German or Japanese at this rate...
Marcos anyone?
Perhaps Smolensky also owns Marcos, and this is all a big plot to boost their sales
Golden Boy said:
Golden Boy said:
Yes. Very impressive, decent display of cars, all as you would expect. Access is tricky, especially getting out. However I understand it is just a 'showroom', not a dealership, whatever that means...
As I said in a previous TVR London thread.
It makes a lot of sense. London is a showcase showroom to view product, which will attract visitors from all over the world, potentially. If you wish to buy you are refered to a dealer or distributor who handles the transaction.
This also ties in with the closure of the factory sales, service and repair depts, allowing official dealers to handle ALL customers directly. This should be good news for the dealers and customers in the long term, as dealers are no longer competing with the factory. It also means the factory can focus on building cars. All good IMO.
Fair point, but Chiswick isn't Mayfair or Picacdilly.
AFN and Warrick Wright are the two nearest dealers and they ain't showcase showroom they are servicing and selling. You drive to Chiswick so central london tourist aint gonna see it really
EDITED TO ADD: I do agree with you and think thats what it should be just think that if thats the case its not the best location
>> Edited by tiger on Friday 10th June 12:29
Golden Boy said:
This also ties in with the closure of the factory sales, service and repair depts, allowing official dealers to handle ALL customers directly. This should be good news for the dealers and customers in the long term, as dealers are no longer competing with the factory. It also means the factory can focus on building cars. All good IMO.
Agreed.
tiger said:
AFN and Warrick Wright are the two nearest dealers and they ain't showcase showroom they are servicing and selling. You drive to Chiswick so central london tourist aint gonna see it really
EDITED TO ADD: I do agree with you and think thats what it should be just think that if thats the case its not the best location
Although remember that every cab from Heathrow into Central London will have to pass it, as well as all traffic from M3 and M4, which effectively meets at that roundabout to travel into/out of Central West London.....but agree there are probably better locations but imagine it's all about a balance vs costs, as with most things.
tiger said:
Fair point, but Chiswick isn't Mayfair or Picacdilly.
As far as advertising is concerned I'd say it's considerably better than Mayfair or Piccadilly:
1. The number of vehicles that pass there every day. It's a HUGE number, as the A4 is a very major route into London, and most of those vehicles will be going slowly enough to get a good look. I think I read somewhere that the A4 is the busiest route into London in terms of vehicles per hour, and that's why they put up those big expensive ads further along.
2. It's on the main route from Heathrow to London. So potential customers living in the west-end will pass it when they fly in/out of Heathrow - if they can afford a new TVR then they'll go to Heathrow in a cab, not by tube
. Also, gets the TVR message out to visitors from other geographies, that then go home and seek out their nearest dealer. Mayfair etc may have the prestige for a dealer, but the A4 site is seen by more potential customers, IMHO.
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