TVR Discontinues Production in UK

Press Release

Official statement on Bristol Avenue cut-backs

Following TVR's announcement last year that it is to discontinue production at its Bristol Avenue factory in Blackpool by 2007, the company has brought forward its plans to coincide with the cessation of its current lease, which would otherwise require long-term renewal.

TVR is to relocate some of its assembly process to a more suitable, state-of-the-art plant, the exact details of which cannot yet be released. Much of the design, development and engineering will, however, remain unchanged, alongside sales, management and administration, which are all to be based in a proposed new world headquarters.

The cars will continue to be hand-built to customers' orders by highly skilled craftsmen using mostly proprietary components, but the impressive new technology, processes and techniques with which they'll be constructed and tested are considerably more advanced. This will mean a significant and more consistent step-up in precision, quality, reliability and durability, as well as in compliancy with international requirements.

TVRs have been built at Bristol Avenue since the 1970s, so it is regrettable that cut-backs to the local production team have been necessary. TVR wishes to extend its thanks to all of its loyal staff at the factory, as well as its thoughts to all those who have had to be laid-off. The company is confident, however, that this difficult decision is the right one to secure its long-term stability and foothold within the competitive, low-volume sports car industry, as well as to continue to improve its product for the domestic and international marketplace.

The logistics arm of the business will also be modernised to improve the availability of parts and the timeframes within which they're delivered. The entire change-over has, of course, been carefully planned to minimise disruption, and all current authorised dealerships and service centres will remain completely unaffected by the move.

TVR also wishes to clarify that although slow winter sales hit the automotive industry as a whole, its sales have not slumped generally; demand has remained fairly constant at about ten to 15 units per week for a number of years now, which is perfectly healthy for any exclusive and independent prestige sports car manufacturer. TVR's order book is currently very strong and the company remains financially stable and highly optimistic about its future.

As well as its strong order book and an encouragingly high level of interest at its showrooms, TVR is extremely confident in its ongoing plans: it is on schedule for achieving Euro IV emissions approval, which will enable it to sell more concertedly into Europe, and the developments for which will help with selling into the lucrative US and Middle East markets; it is exhibiting at the forthcoming Motor Show, for which it has several surprises planned; testing and production processes and component quality have all advanced markedly, and continue to do so; and a new marketing campaign is under way.

There has been an excellent reaction from the press and the public to TVR's newest and best ever models: the Sagaris coupe, the Tuscan convertible and the completely reworked Tuscan targa, all of which are now backed by a comprehensive three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

TVR is looking forward to enjoying the continued support of its customers and emphatic enthusiasts in the UK and throughout the world, as well as to attracting new ones with the positive progress of the company and its cars. TVR is also preparing for its 60th anniversary celebrations next year.