Max,
Let's imagine a somewhat theoretical situation, I say somewhat because I'm
basing it on lots of factual information.
1. Peter Stevens, designer of a number of supercars, joins the Rover
Group. (fact)
2. One of the heads of Lola (supercar producers among other things) holds
a position on the board of directors of the Rover Group. (fact)
3. The supercar design and production is apparently being handled by
Lola, and the car could very well be badged as an MG Lola - as noted in a
few news reports: BBC, Pistonheads, and AutoWired...
http://www.autowired.com/news/default.asp?ExpandStory=True&storyid=3402
(being reported consistently, and given #2, taken as fact)
4. The largest investor of capital in the Rover Group is the American
bank, First Union. (fact)
Now, if I may, I will draw a likely (or unlikely) scenario that could play
out and I will also address some of your concerns.
If Lola is designing and producing the car inconjunction with Rover Group,
under the leadership of Mr. Stevens we know that Lola can draw from it's
vast experience in the past producing race proven supercars. We also could
theorize that some of Lola's components could be used in the Rover/MG
supercar. So Lola provides the "experience" and the parts, and who knows
how much Lola is also kicking into this... they have much to gain by being a
partner in this also. So the car is not being designed from "scratch" Rover
is going into this by letting an experienced firm handle it for them.
Lola's facilities include a composite manufacturing facility, and its own
wind tunnel. Smart move to choose Lola, IMHO.
So we have a supercar here that is capable of reaching 240MPH and holding
its own among other former supercars. Until this point, everything I've
said is pretty much fact (other than, I really don't know how much Lola is
involved). We know that a viable, and I continue to say viable because
another DeLorean will be laughed at, supercar from Rover/MG will gain much
press coverage as would any new supercar. Rover Group's current market does
not included North America, but news of it's supercar WILL transgress the
oceans and every school boy in the USA will want an MG Lola as his "dream
car." Rover has managed to create a favourable face in the North American
market just using this media coverage.
Rover/MG begins selling it's cars through specialist dealers in the USA, and
this is possible. Not 25 minutes from where I live there is a Jaguar, Land
Rover and Saab dealer... which 3 months ago were all owned by seperate
companies (Ford, BMW and Saab/GM). This dealership (named The Great
Britians, if anyone is interested http://www.greatbritains.com/) has been
there for as long as I can remember. Rover/MG does not need to launch its
own line of exclusive dealerships, they just need to get these already
existing specialist dealerships to carry and tout the Rover Group's
products. I don't think Rover/MG needs to sell cars over here in any great
number, they just have to become visible and establish the brand (which the
supercar has already helped to do).
As for some of other issues mentioned. You had said that MG is well known
and associated with competition racing. I would say that in the rest of the
world this is true, and in North America this WAS true. Currently you have
the MGF Cup in Europe, and I believe there is a similar race series in
Japan.
I think I have satisfactorally addressed the majority of your concerns about
such a supercar. I do agree, and had said a while ago, that an 200+ MPH MG
wouldn't be very much in line with past MGs. We can again also look at
other marques (such as TVR and Marcos) and see how they're currently using
composites and other materials which helps produce low production sports
cars on small budgets. TVR manages to build everything in house, and
manages to undercut the likes of Lotus and Ferrari yet TVR is profitable and
expanding. Marcos too is producing some incredible cars right now,
undercutting the competition, and managing to increase and expand it's
production. TVR is currently racing and has just produced car three of it's
Cerbera Speed 12, a wicked car with 800BHP on tap... top speed unknown,
speculation that it could be a member of the 200+ MPH club. The racing
Speed 12 is having moderate success when it is on track, if only they could
KEEP IT ON THE BLOODY TRACK.
If you think I am completely nuts that is fine, I don't think I'm too far
off the mark from what will become of Rover/MG in the coming months/years.
\
chocks away,
--
Kai M. Radicke -- kai@radiohead.net
1966 MGB -- 1974 Triumph TR-6
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