Monday 24th April 2006

TVR: the company carries on - official

Factory to close after relocation

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Factory to close as TVR carries on

Contrary to current rumours, TVR is not closing: instead, it plans to leave the current factory at Blackpool's Bristol Avenue within six months, according to a company spokesman. The new premises will be "somewhere in the region", he said. He couldn't say why the factory had to close but confirmed that 71 people were laid off out of a total workforce of around 320.

He added that some assembly may be outsourced, which could mean that it goes abroad, but the spokesman said that nothing had definitely been decided on this issue. "We just want the best future for TVR", he said.

The reason behind the move is that "TVR has had a long winter. People normally start to get interested in cars before this time of year", he said, but instead, sales had been slow. "We're currently making 10 cars a week," he said.

Last week, TVR spokesman Ian Law said that TVR remains optimistic that its plans to expand in the Middle and Far East, will help to pull it out of the problems created by slow domestic demand. In addition, Law reckoned that we're in for some big surprises at the British Motor Show in July.

Elsewhere, local paper Blackpool Today is reporting that the workers' union, the TGWU, slammed TVR for the way it handled the news, with the local senior shop steward calling the company "cowardly" for its management of the announcement.

One worker is reported to have said: "I've no idea what the future holds now."

Related stories

• Blackpool Today: TVR factory to close
• PH: TVR forced to lay-off workers

[GTRene]

I'm glad that TVR goed on in the past I've owned 2 TVR's and I realy liked their charistimatics? at least on the cars I've owned and at that time...a V8S and a 4.3 big valve Griffith.. but I realy hope they will come up with a desent reliable V8 or a better own version, or shop somewhere else like Marcos did for the new GT with a 475hp or so V8...TVR better be quik on that or you gona loose some ground me thinks...
Good luck and maybe I'm back one day in a TVR(though must be at least a reliable 420+hp V8)
GTRene

>> Edited by GTRene on Monday 24th April 15:04

[UncleDave]

So 71 lay offs and 10 cars a week?

That is all good news other than the 'outsourced from abroad' bit..
Sounds like Back Home 06 will be the last visit to Bristol Ave then..!

Dave.



>> Edited by UncleDave on Monday 24th April 15:12

[sa_20v]

Interesting stuff at motorshow, hmmmm! Should I start saving?

[dinkel]

sa_20v said:

Interesting stuff at motorshow, hmmmm! Should I start saving?

It must be ready by now I guess . . . or could it be stuff brought in from 'outside'?

TVR would do everyone including themselves a big favoure by dropping hints of the new stuff right now . . . just to show what the brand is all about.

[Jem]

I think the times on sat said that the production had slowed to two a week.

Surely that's not right...?

J

[sprinter885]

Oh dear---------this is not what BBC news said at 15:30 today! They said TVR is closing down due to "lack of orders over winter"??
Who's right?

[thirsty]

TVR needs to get back to basics. The Chim and Griff are classics. They have good solid V8, and classic good looks. As a result, TVR sold bucket loads of them. I was one who bought one.

The current cars just don't do anything for me.

[Jem]

sorry - just seen the other thread - not been on PH for a while.

J

[page3]

Am I missing something obvious? So, the factory is to close and relocate somewhere else. We've known that for months.

[GaryH123]

I am a current TVR owner, not an air-head dreamer. I have a 2yr old Tuscan S of which I am proud and which has so far proved all sceptics and doubters wrong.
I checked this site following an email advice of the sad news of the pending closure of an historic motor site in Blackpool.
What has led me to post for the first time on such a site, is the unbelieveable selfish and blinkered attitude of moronic "car enthusiasts", none of whom has seen fit to say a word about the poor souls who are set to, or have already lost their jobs at TVR.
As an actual recipient of the pride, care and love put into the production of these magnificent motors, I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their contribution to the continuation of a fine marque. I wish each of them good fortune and god speed in finding alternate employment within or without the industry.
All I, or anyone can hope, is that more jobs are saved by this hopefully timely action. Not that that is any consolation to those now unemployed.

[koopa troopa]

I've heard the staff are already working on a new project;

They now have a dartboard (gone are the playing cards)!

[FourWheelDrift]

They aren't renewing the lease on the factory site, surely this is just to get away from the deal they had with Peter Wheeler as IIRC they were still paying rent to him. So buy get a new site on a better deal.

[GCerbera]

Two key quotes given to the BBC

"We cannot make any guarantees," the spokesman said.

TVR said it would give more details about its future plans within the next two weeks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4

[dinkel]

"We are investing for the future and our new owner is in it for the long term"
TVR spokesman

"However, TVR insisted that it would not close and said its Russian owner was committed to the company's future."

"TVR said it would give more details about its future plans within the next two weeks."

Like who'll be the new owner . . .

>> Edited by dinkel on Monday 24th April 15:56

[purpleperil]

page3 said:

Am I missing something obvious? So, the factory is to close and relocate somewhere else. We've known that for months.

I think we've been span a yarn about a planning application for months!

[page3]

purpleperil said:

page3 said: Am I missing something obvious? So, the factory is to close and relocate somewhere else. We've known that for months. I think we've been span a yarn about a planning application for months!

Quite possibly (ok, probably), but that doesn't change the fact that nothing has changed except a) the unfortunate (temporary?) loss of some jobs and b) the news services/union spouting all sorts of shock stuff.

[purpleperil]

page3 said:

purpleperil said: page3 said: Am I missing something obvious? So, the factory is to close and relocate somewhere else. We've known that for months. I think we've been span a yarn about a planning application for months! Quite possibly (ok, probably), but that doesn't change the fact that nothing has changed except a) the unfortunate (temporary?) loss of some jobs and b) the news services/union spouting all sorts of shock stuff.

And if the planning was all hype - how can you believe whatever they say - news seems to be coming thick and fast at the moment!

[Racing Rod]

Sky seem to have yet another twist story wise

www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13520317,00.html

[toucan22]

Good riddance I say - My Tuscan was the most unrelaible pile of poo I've ever had the misfortune to own. i wanted to love my car but I couldn't. It's down to the laws of supply and demand - If you supply crap quality cars - noone will buy them. Let's not get misty-eyed about this - It's the way it is....

[richb]

toucan22 said:

Good riddance I say - My Tuscan was the most unrelaible pile of poo I've ever had the misfortune to own.

Funny old world isn't it mate, my Griffith is the best car i've ever owned!