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Re: MG and TVR merge?

To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: MG and TVR merge?
From: Brad Wilson <trijagparts@mindspring.com>
Date: Thu, 02 Jun 2005 20:19:01 -0500
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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