Why Norton should definitely continue to build the 961

BritTwit said:
Hmmmm, so heritage IS that important to the new Norton company.
They're not just talking the talk of heritage, they are investing pretty heavily in it.
Me thinks that Norton is aiming their products at those who already have a sense of Norton's past, an affinity for its history and accomplishments, and brand loyalty.
For just young buyers? Probably not.
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Well , I think you already said no young folk are going to be able to spend 44K on a bike .
 
Direct from Norton on their Facebook page

Just as I thought. You’ll have to purchase direct from factory.
 

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Yet more astonishing comments from the factory. This suggests very small volumes of bikes to be built or real exclusive models. So you buy from the factory and sort out your own export and import of the bike - that's not so exclusive support from what is claimed to be a top end motorcycle from a well known name. Nearly two and half years later and they could have used this time to get potential dealers signed up in principal, mind you if they have 50 dealers globally and only make 40 exclusive models then someone dips out.

Yet again, despite the £100M so far invested you really have to ask if they are employing the right team at various levels at Solihull to take the name forward. The clear lack of ability to run different projects within Solihull side by side seems problematic for them. Really begs the question if the new people in charge at Solihull are the decision makers or are they just being directed by TVS Motor in India using a poorly thought through plan.
 
It's frustrating.
The TVS model here is certainly different from the typical manufacture's model.
We just have to wait to see what eventually materializes.
They obviously intend to remain close-lipped until they're good and ready.
 
The post clearly says they will have a network in place, so that is clearly their aim.

It only says “INITIALLY we will be selling directly from our new headquarters”

So, FIRST they aim to sort out the designs and create a proper manufacturing facility. SECOND they aim to make and sell motorcycles. THIRD they want to establish a dealership network.

Not sure what I’m missing here chaps… that looks like a perfect way to priorities to me…
 
Not quite, they assume that dealers will want to sell their wares, and if the hoops are anything like TVS Motor demand of their dealers (see TVS Motor website) then I doubt many will sign up, The network is an assumption - nothing solid.
Selling from the HQ is effectively a 'test the water' approach - it shows they lack confidence. They should have had designs in place prior to when they purchased the TM, remember the comments from them over 2 years ago 'we were looking for a big brand name' if they were then what were they going to put the big brand name on, with a comment like that they should have had something in their back pocket.
Then they have a legal timescale against them to produce - screw that up and they will be pipped to the post and £100M is a lot to lose. Use it or lose is regimentally ruled upon these days.
Priorities without timescale at the moment are pointless and it seems it could bite them in the backside.
 
Madnorton said:
Not quite, they assume that dealers will want to sell their wares, and if the hoops are anything like TVS Motor demand of their dealers (see TVS Motor website) then I doubt many will sign up, The network is an assumption - nothing solid.
Selling from the HQ is effectively a 'test the water' approach - it shows they lack confidence. They should have had designs in place prior to when they purchased the TM, remember the comments from them over 2 years ago 'we were looking for a big brand name' if they were then what were they going to put the big brand name on, with a comment like that they should have had something in their back pocket.
Then they have a legal timescale against them to produce - screw that up and they will be pipped to the post and £100M is a lot to lose. Use it or lose is regimentally ruled upon these days.
Priorities without timescale at the moment are pointless and it seems it could bite them in the backside.
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Mate, you talk with confidence that you know what is happening/should happen; you don’t.

So how about letting them open the gates before you decide their fate. Call me old fashioned!
 
This is exactly what they stated they would be doing from the investor report which I posted earlier in this thread. I still say you'll see Ural/Royal Enfield type products coming out after the roll out the "Super Premium" because the sales won't be as brisk as they hope. This is like BMW selling 7 series as the flagship then selling the 1 series to the masses.


"The company’s products would be sold in the UK to start with. Subsequently, the company would be selling its products in other European countries, the United States of America and other countries. Norton’s business prospects would depend on the economic activities and growth prospects in each of those geographies in which it operates. Having business spread over multiple geographies would help Norton manage this risk better. Customer preference to products will be critical to Norton’s business. As part of the growth plan Norton is focused on developing the customer attractive products portfolio which would be a mix of premium and super premium motorcycles. Products portfolio is expected to drive the top line and the growth of the business and will also attract the customers of all segments. The company is also working on creating and strengthening the distribution network both inside and outside of UK. Taking the brand and exploring the sales opportunities through digital media and social /networking platforms would also be part of the distribution strategy to reach global customers. With a strong distribution network, well developed supply chain, state of the art manufacturing facility, excellent design and engineering capabilities, delivering superior customer experience with a portfolio of products, the company will be making sustainable revenue and growth in the upcoming financial years. TVS Motor’s vendor network and the supply chain network will be constantly leveraged to bring more efficiencies in quality, cost and delivery."
 
What kind of bike is TVS Norton going to offer to attract younger buyers?

Younger buyers are the ones who will keep TVS Norton in business. Not baby boomers.

How many young buyers are attracted to the Norton brand? Do they even know who Norton is?

I just can’t wrap my head around why TVS isn’t advertising their brand and plan.
It’s so easy in todays social media to advertise to all markets and ages.
 
Voodooo said:
What kind of bike is TVS Norton going to offer to attract younger buyers?

Younger buyers are the ones who will keep TVS Norton in business. Not baby boomers.

How many young buyers are attracted to the Norton brand? Do they even know who Norton is?

I just can’t wrap my head around why TVS isn’t advertising their brand and plan.
It’s so easy in todays social media to advertise to all markets and ages.
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They could really generate some interest if they did this. I agree with you 100% .
 
Voodooo said:
What kind of bike is TVS Norton going to offer to attract younger buyers?

Younger buyers are the ones who will keep TVS Norton in business. Not baby boomers.

How many young buyers are attracted to the Norton brand? Do they even know who Norton is?

I just can’t wrap my head around why TVS isn’t advertising their brand and plan.
It’s so easy in todays social media to advertise to all markets and ages.
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My guess, right or wrong… good or bad… is that they’re waiting until they’ve got some actual buyable motorcycles to advertise…
 
Fast Eddie said:
My guess, right or wrong… good or bad… is that they’re waiting until they’ve got some actual buyable motorcycles to advertise…
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If that’s even so, they still should be telling the world Norton is back and better. I’m going to take a wild guess here……

I’ll wager to say that the majority of people that know Norton is back in business are us here on this Forum. And maybe a few more on the outside of the internet world. Mainly the UK.

Whether they have a bike ready or not, they should / need to start getting the public aware they’re in business and start drawing up public motorcycle riders / owners interest.

When someone in public ask me about my Norton, all of them tell me they had no idea Norton was in business again. Then I’ll hear stories of years gone past about the commando they had in the 60s and 70s.
 
Gojuu said:
And they could be making money while growing the brand. There’s money in merchandise, spare parts and accessories.
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You have that right . They must be having lots of issues getting the parts they want. Or if the V4 comes first then the 961 must wait. It must be difficult unwinding all of the problems they have. At the rate this is going it could be next year before we see anything ready. When is the big show in Birmingham (NEC) November ?
 

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