Friday, September 08, 2006

AC/DC or sound business sense


Is this déjà vu all over again? I don't want to put the mockers on Project Kimber and their new AC smart sportscar, but haven't we been here before? A part of the world that is not known for car production [in this case Wales] is anxious to pony up taxpayers cash to attract a sports car manufacturer. Cue the Bricklin in New Brunswick, Canada. Cue the De Lorean in Northern Ireland. All we need is for the AC smart to be launched with gull-wing doors.
Project Kimber has only one chance to get it right. In short the existing smart sportscar failed because it looked a bit funny, lacked grunt and was too expensive. A bit of a hairdresser's car. We could add that Mercedes-Benz didn't really know what to do with it.
The new version needs to look drop-dead gorgeous, have more power and be priced more competitively from day one. For looks the Dodge Slingshot showcar would be a good place to start. Reports that the car will sell for £13,000 are encouraging but watch that price creep up as time goes by.
By the way does anyone remember the Gilbern? RLT

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