Friday 19th May 2006

TVR news update

Shift in new car strategy underway?

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TVR is planning plenty of visibility this summer, with presence at next week's Expo in Canary Wharf with a Tuscan Convertible and a Sagaris, in the supercar paddock at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and at the British Motor Show in July with a 30,000 square foot stand.

What TVR couldn't say though is whether it would bring new cars to the Motor Show. After speaking to TVR PR man Ian Law, we were left with the impression that, with the Sagaris just over a year old and the Tuscan Convertible seeing its first summer, the company is keen not to cannibalise sales of existing cars, although there will be something new to see -- perhaps a concept for the future. This may be contrary to TVR's traditional, new-car-every-year policy, but many will applaud this more strategic attitude to new car development as being healthier for TVR's longer term survival.

A TVR will also be showcased in the episode of BBC2's Top Gear to be filmed on 31 May and broadcast on 4 June.

TVR's new home

TVR is looking seriously at the offer made by Blackpool's town council in its bid to keep TVR's factory in the town. Law confirmed reports that TVR had held a meeting with council leader Roy Fisher.

The impetus to move came, as has already been reported, partly from TVR's having outgrown the existing site and partly because of the high rent charged by previous owner Peter Wheeler for the site.

Law said that it made sense in many ways for the company to stay in the town, since that's where its skills base is, and many workers would not be keen to move, although he said that no decision had yet been made.

Links

• Blackpool Today story
• British Motor Show

[targarama]

Maybe Peter Wheeler should re-consider his rent charge, at least for a few years. Not very nice of him to do this. I know he's a free agent and can charge what he likes and Smolenksy shouldn't have signed up in the first place, but after all those years running TVR is he really that much of a b'stard?

BTW, Editor - you need to replace the Tuscan pic with one of a Tuscan convertible (or at least change the caption!).

[morebeanz]

I've always had a view that Smollensky might be positioning himself for some sort of handout. It makes sense, but unfortunately often needs some brinkmanship before it's recognised...

[RichardD]

All rather positive, the previous factory to close stories getting interpreted that TVR are closing down / moving to Wales / Poland / China / Mars / delete as appropriate - seems to have made them realise the importance of raising the profile

That Red Tusc II conv really is a stunning car and should be out and about as much as poss

[anonymous-user]

300,000 sq ft stand.

Are you sure?

One in the eye to those small Fry at Ford if it is.

[DJC]

High rent?
Pmsl!!

Man there is either going to be a lot of egg on a lot of faces or just plain sh1tloads of hilarity if half the truth ever comes out behind all this!

Let's not even start on the "negotiations" with Blackpool council! Good on Moleskins for sticking his boot right between their balls though, Blackpool Borough have deserved this for yrs and all things considered, I really he hopes he moves to er "the other site" now, just to teach the b@5tards a lesson.

[jonnyb]

All in all good news.

IF it all happends its hardly a sign of a company about to go under.

[BossCerbera]

About f@cking time. Now let's hope it comes to pass.

[anonymous-user]

If we, the people, have indeed been used to generate the internet buz that has forced some peoples hands then TVR management have just gained a huge amount of respect from me for one. Sounds like the result of strategic planning...

>> Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 19th May 11:59

[dinkel]

Just a post to show on My Topics

>> Edited by dinkel on Friday 19th May 13:06

[225]

Excellent news and I shall be buying motorshow tickets today with the view to make a beeline for the TVR stand.

[MarkoTVR]

unrepentant said:

300,000 sq ft stand. Are you sure? One in the eye to those small Fry at Ford if it is.

It's the new factory!!

[b2tus]

Good news to my ears.
The least we TVR owners can do, is to support NS and turn up in droves to the TVR stand at the Motor Show.
The more of us that wave the flag instead of burning it - the better.

[Fire99]

Well i know we don't all agree on many things TVR but This has gotta be good news all round!
If they stick to this plan i for one 'll certainly be attending the motorshow to show my support!

Positive TVR news.. Just what the doctor ordered!!

[TUS 373]

RichardD said:

moving to Wales / Poland / China / Mars / delete as appropriate:

Wales?

[anonymous-user]

MarkoTVR said:

unrepentant said: 300,000 sq ft stand. Are you sure? One in the eye to those small Fry at Ford if it is. It's the new factory!!

I notice that whoever wrote the piece has now changed it to 30,000 without so much as a "thanks for pointing out that glaring error unrep".

[mikedavis1]

b2tus said:

Good news to my ears. The least we TVR owners can do, is to support NS and turn up in droves to the TVR stand at the Motor Show. The more of us that wave the flag instead of burning it - the better.

[griffter]

Hold on - last week the 'good news brigade' were very excited about 3 new models (or whatever) at the motor show ("Can't be sign of a company about to go under" etc). Now it's good news that there won't be any new models (well maybe a concept...)!! As for "the company is keen not to cannibalise sales of existing cars", I thought low sales were the whole problem in the first place. Surely new models, new interest = new money?
Don't get me wrong, I'm as keen for TVR to get the market back as anyone - but this all strikes me as a bit inconsistent.

[rfisher]

Driving around yesterday when white van man lowers his window and leans out as I'm about to pass.

Ho-hum methinks this one looks like it's not a 'nice car mate' jobby.

He goes past and yells "bankrupt" at me.

I couldn't help but laugh - must be a Guardian reader.

[BossCerbera]

griffter said:

Hold on - last week the 'good news brigade' were very excited about 3 new models (or whatever) at the motor show ("Can't be sign of a company about to go under" etc). Now it's good news that there won't be any new models (well maybe a concept...)!! As for "the company is keen not to cannibalise sales of existing cars", I thought low sales were the whole problem in the first place. Surely new models, new interest = new money? Don't get me wrong, I'm as keen for TVR to get the market back as anyone - but this all strikes me as a bit inconsistent.

You're right, of course. But let's give them a round of applause for a piece of outbound communication first and worry about consistency another time. I hope they get the hang of it.

[richb]

unrepentant said:

MarkoTVR said: unrepentant said: 300,000 sq ft stand. Are you sure? One in the eye to those small Fry at Ford if it is. It's the new factory!! I notice that whoever wrote the piece has now changed it to 30,000 without so much as a "thanks for pointing out that glaring error unrep".

Which by my calculations is still a stand that's roughly half the size of a football pitch - go for it TVR football pitch is approx 300' x 200' = 60,000 sq ft Rich...