Laying off TVR staff
Discussion
I agree, but they're dropping the V8 in favour of the speed 6 engine, and the Griff chassis won't take it, plus you have to applaud TVR for developing the models and engines, and as some people have said within these fora, the Tamora looks like the Griff - I think it was said as a "why bother" type comment, but you have to look to the future, and just maybe the Tamora will be the next Griff, but with even broader appeal, even if it doesn't quite have the drop-dead gorgeous looks of the Griff - I hope so, 'cos I've ordered one!
I have to agree with PetrolTed.At times such as now TVR ownwers need to give support to TVR and not keep winging about build quality and reliability.If you think you get that with the mass market ,think again,I know because I have a Mondeo ST24 for main day to day stuff and whilst it goes well things keep breaking or wearing out.
I bought a TVR because it was fabulous to look at,a great drive and an individualistic car.
If we want this this to continue then lets all give TVR support .Sure things can be improved but overall its still a great marque.
Sorry, but I have to make a few points on this subject.
1. Demand for 'discretionary purchase' cars such as TVRs has slowed markedley in the UK (look at resale prices). This is not purely a TVR problem.
2. Prices of competing imported products have fallen, basic economics dictates that TVR volumes will fall as competing products offer improved value.
3. TVR's business model is high variable cost / low fixed cost ON PURPOSE, so that it can respond to fluctuating volumes. Any one who's ever read an interview with wheeler should appreciate that. Unfortunately the largest variable cost element is people, but the alternative of high sunk cost and having to make thousands of cars a year to break even would mean that ALL TVR employees would loose thier jobs...
4. Because of the business model, there are few economies of scale, so not many advantages to consolidating the range into fewer models. That's why TVR can produce such a range of models.
Sure, TVR need to improve quality, and longer production runs help this (chimeras are more relaible than anything else) niggling faults detract from the overall awesomeness of the cars, but if you want sub 10 secs to 100, you can spend £50,000 on a TVR or two or three times that on a Diablo. Your call. But please don't sound off about TVR as a business without understanding the issues -we're not talking about Ford here!
is it me or is this BS topic getting repetitive?
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T11SCN
------It strikes me that the PR dept. at TVR, and their general marketing policy, are spot on - Look at how many people know and care about the marque, check out the number of websites, the number of hits to those sites. look at the exposure the cars get in the motoring press, the excitement a new TVR model causes, and the HUGE swell of goodwill towards the company. All of this without a single advertisement, poster, or TV campaign. I'm sorry, James, if you're one of the employees recently laid off, I'm sure we all wish it hadn't happened, but it has, so stop whining, and taking pot shots at the personnel you think are to blame.
quote:Good points, although I don't necessarily agree with the economies of scale argument. Fewer models means more time spent learning how to build & test each component (assuming total volume remains fairly constant). Unit cost would probably not be reduced but quality should improve. To a lesser extent this is true of component sharing between models. Classic manufacturing theory would also suggest that some level of sub-contracting (especially with respect to electrical / electronic assemblies) would also help improve quality at a small cost premium - service level agreements with sub-contractors would provide TVR with more of a lever to ensure consistent unit quality. Of course its easy for me to say, less simple in practice. As I've stated before, kudos to TVR for doing what they do - I'll be driving their cars as long as they keep making stuff with such a high grin to price ratio... Edited by paul on Thursday 25th January 16:58
Sorry, but I have to make a few points on this subject. 4. Because of the business model, there are few economies of scale, so not many advantages to consolidating the range into fewer models. That's why TVR can produce such a range of models.
TVR PR? What PR, they haven,t even bothered to reply to any of my letters or ring with an appology for all the car,lessness and upset they have caused me(see cebera files).On this front they really let themselves down,how long does it take to send a reply or phone.Sorry if i,m going on a bit but the attitude of them at the top seems to be "TOUGH"...put up or push off.Sad really as i love the cars.
The good news (for the punters) is that dealers are said to be reporting back that build quality has improved dramatically of late. No I am not one of the employees, just a customer, who bought 3 cars and went up to the factory and spoke to people on the shop floor. Some of whom had been at TVR a long time.
1990 S3
1995 Griff 500
1996 TVR Tuscan race car
The Government have just given Nissan/Renault £40 million, may be a few million to keep the TVR employees in their jobs might be a good short term idea.
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