- Joined
- Jan 20, 2011
- Messages
- 893
Couldn't play the news report here, but this could become a snow ball.
Which in turn could be The End.
AC.
Which in turn could be The End.
AC.
JimC said:This from a former executive of Indian Motorcycle,September 2003:
What happened?
The company needed enough money to carry it just a few more months, until its 2004 bikes were ready to be sold. Without the investment it was counting on, O’Hagan said Indian didn’t have the cash to finish building the 2004 models and plan its future products. Even if the company had stopped its product-planning to fund 2004 production, it “would go another six months, and then it would close,” O’Hagan said.
“The motorcycle industry is not for the faint of heart,” O’Hagan said. “(It) takes an awful lot of capital to succeed. ... In the end, the company didn’t have the money.
“On the other hand, our 380 employees and 200 dealers have something to be proud of, and that’s 13,000 beautiful Indian motorcycles driving around the country.”
More Indian motorcycles have been selling than ever before. May was the firm’s best sales month ever, although September was on track to beat it. This year, O’Hagan added, Indian was on track to sell 4,500 bikes, compared to 3,822 last year. Indian planned to build 6,000 machines for 2004.
Indian had been in business for some five years and had actually delivered over 13,000 bikes before its demise.
JimC said:Indian had been in business for some five years and had actually delivered over 13,000 bikes before its demise.
AussieCombat said:Couldn't play the news report here, but this could become a snow ball.
Which in turn could be The End.
AC.
JimC said:It is foolish to assume if someone made an "over the phone" deal on a car from a dealer, that the manufacturer would need to backup the dealers promise on a verbal contract.
As I stated before, Norton is both manufacture and dealer. It doesn't matter which hat they are wearing, they failed to deliver as promised. One need not be a lawyer or a manufacturer to understand this.
ZFD said:JD,
Had you paid a deposit on trust, then been asked a while later to pay the rest of the purchase price because "your bike is on the assembly bench now", then been fobbed off with all sorts of stories for another year, what sort of contract would you think you have entered into?
JAYMAC said:Norton had a large stand at the NEC Motorcycle show last week and it was still one of the stands drawing in the crowds. However they were being more realistic with their delivery schedule compared to previous years. I ordered a 961 Sport at the show two years ago and was given a predicted delivery of June/July 2010 but due to problems with engine supply I did not get delivery until March 2011. I had paid in full 6 months before delivery as I had been given a build date of August 2010 but i was kept informed of progress on a regular basis and I was prepared to wait for the bike I wanted.
I did get concerned when delivery kept getting put back and I did consider at one point asking for a refund(that was a year ago after reading all the stories on here that they were about to fold). However after a visit to the factory I felt reasurred that I would eventually get the bike, Chris Walker was the Sales Manager at that time and he always kept me up to date with progress. I am very pleased with the 961and have covered around 3,500 miles so far and the after sales service has been superb(the bike was collected from my home for the service at the Donnington factory FOC)
I believe that they are currently in the USA at various motorcycle shows for the next month so things can't be that bad!
JimC said:Jeffdavison,
Since you think people who make a good faith contract are stupid and worthy of theft, I have a pretty good idea why you are no longer a manufacture. I would never want to have any dealings with anyone who thinks people should be sheared if they are not protected by a shield of legal boiler plate.
ZFD said:Firstly, I happen to know the background of the story.
Secondly, if your quote "If I didn't have a contract with the sums of monies involved, I would be stupid and a victim worthy of theft." is applied then all the customers of the new company, hoping for the best of the new Norton enterprise and giving their money to make the new start possible, are "stupid and victims worthy of theft."
Don't you think this is a very harsh judgement on Norton enthusiasts?
Stew Garner , adopted a interest free loan plan, heavy sponcership from depositer's . Unfore-seen delays in manufacture and getting bikes out within a realistic time as "buggered up "the job. There is no contract,as proper contracts are normally read over by a business solicitor..i would say "they"the depositers have parted with their dosh on a limb, for an I.O.U note.ZFD said:JD,
Had you paid a deposit on trust, then been asked a while later to pay the rest of the purchase price because "your bike is on the assembly bench now", then been fobbed off with all sorts of stories for another year, what sort of contract would you think you have entered into?