Folks:
At 11:03 AM 02-06-05, Max wrote:
>Repeat after me... "They... will... not... sell... MG TFs... in... the...
>US".
>
>This fantasy keeps popping up on this list, but isn't it time everyone
>realized that they aren't the only people who have thought of it? As in,
>perhaps it might have occurred to the factory 5 or 10 years ago? If it
>hasn't happened yet, it isn't going to, because it was deemed impractical
>years ago, and nothing has happened to change that. Oh, except the company
>ceasing to exist... minor point...
>
>If MG Rover couldn't swing it, TVR certainly isn't...
The main reason that MG Rover has not introduced the MGF and TF to the US
market is the lack of a dealer network - not a problem for TVR as far as I
know? The car largely meets all the safety & emissions regulations. The
cost of certifying it would be small compared to setting up a sales &
service infrastructure in the USA.
Granted the car has been around since 1995, but it received a fairly
significant update as recently as 2002/3. I don't buy the "it's too
dated" argument. First, it would be entirely new in the USA - most
Americans don't even realise that MG was making cars as recently as a few
weeks ago! Second, it is still an up to date car technologically with
features such as VVT. Besides, as Porsche say (paraphrased): "better to
make continuous evolutionary improvements as opposed to radical changes for
the sake of marketing"
Bottom line is that we will have to wait and see who the successful bidder
is. Hopefully that will be known on June 10th when PWC is scheduled to
hold their next press conference on the companies affairs.
If the successful bidder does bring the car to the US then great. If not,
then as long as they are still being made, I will do everything possible to
get them over here in small numbers either via the kit car method or
through the normal channels if the NHTSA can be persuaded to recognise the
MGTF's safety credentials and they are every bit as good as (or maybe
better than) several cars already sold here. Regarding the latter, I urge
everyone to write, call or fax your congress
person http://www.house.gov/writerep/ to pressure the NHTSA to recognise
European crash standards.
Regards,
Brad Wilson
www.mgfusa.com
www.wedgeparts.com
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