I thought they wanted to, but the problem was no easy access to a dealer
network - it's not like the cars just ship and show up on the shelves at
Wal-Mart (though I think Sam's Club is moving in this direction) - there
has to be established showrooms, dealer repair facilities, etc.
Since they are now owned by... who? BMW? I've lost track - I thought they
were going to try to piggy-back on that somehow. But my understanding was
that it was more of a distribution network problem than the thought that
it'd be an unappreciative audience.
- Tab
At 08:54 AM 9/25/03, Paul M. wrote:
> > And a Midget *is* being discussed and
> > MG Rover aren't denying. But none of
> > them are likely to reach
> > North America.
>
>What's the official reason why MG isn't planning a
>return to North America? They seem to have a very
>appealing range of cars, and they wouldn't have to
>come back with ALL of them. I mean, I can understand
>companies like Renault (whose model range doesn't
>really "translate" well into North America) and Alfa
>Romeo (who would be battling one of the worst image
>problems in US automotive history, right when they can
>afford failure the least), and maybe even Peugeot
>(who's tepid attempts to sell cars toward the end of
>their US presence included primarily their
>least-appealing models), but why not MG?
>
>I think there used to be a misconception that US
>buyers would shun sporting vehicles developed for
>continental tastes, but I think that misconception was
>largely based on the dismal sales failure of cars like
>the BMW 318ti, Peugeot 405 mi16 and Alfa 164, which
>all failed (in my opinion) for other reasons. But
>recently, the wild popularity of cars like the Subaru
>WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (and the
>multi-billion-dollar aftermarket industry that now
>supports sport compacts) have proven that we will
>embrace specialty cars with premium brand recognition,
>and stand in line to buy them. In fact, everyone is
>trying to jump into the act, most notably Ford with
>the acclaimed SVT Focus and Dodge with the Neon SRT-4.
>
>
>It strikes me that some of the sporting small sedans
>that MG builds - even more so than the TF - could
>carve out a small but highly profitable niche market
>here. As far as I know there is no negative brand
>awareness to overcome (as there would be for Peugeot,
>Renault and Alfa Romeo). Sell one "halo" car over
>here for a little while, build killer brand awareness
>through that and things like the IRL and IMSA racing
>programs, and then start broadening the product line.
>
>But then again, what the heck do I know? What's the
>party line? Why does the Rover Group say they don't
>sell cars here?
>
>=====
>Paul Misencik
>1971 MGB Vintage Race Project
>Huntersville, NC USA
>www.sopwithracing.com
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