Posts: 2710
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
That is pretty messed up. But at least I am relieved in ONE way. I thought this was a revival of the previous WTF??? post from a couple weeks back... phew
We all knew whatever happened with your job situation, you would somehow land on your feet! And what better way to parlay your world-class American Supercar reputation than with a Chinese SUV imported sumthinorother!! I, for one, applaud your keen eye for business decision making and sound judgement. I can see from this decision that you truly were behind many of the decisions of the Saleen enterprise during the eighties! Just think of the feeling of accomplishment you'll derive from this venture, knowing that you played a small part in Chinese SUV imported sumthinorother production! Maybe SAR a.k.a. Bill Tally can chime in and post some of his thoughts on his work assignment with Chinese SUV imported sumthinorothers....
Well, it seems to me that this new venture will be right up Mr. Saleen's alley.... he'll get to start up a new company, which he has already done once. I say anybody who can get through a startup and come out the other end without a bankruptcy deserves respect. I also respect his view of "entry-level" autos. Americans are used to buying almost everything else in "disposable" form -- why not cars?
Now, here's a really good idea, Steve. Make them energy-efficient hybrids. Make them cool-looking. Make an Ipod hookup standard gear. You can do it under budget... they're made in China, right?
And then the hard part. Make sure you market these cars as second cars for people of moderately high income. These would be advertised as daily driver cars for people who also own nicer, more expensive, gas-intensive cars (such as Saleens). We would feel good about saving the environment during the week with our "green" car, and bring out the baby for the weekend. In reality, most of the cars sold would actually be sold to teens, tree-huggers, and people with more modest incomes. But the right marketing campaign would make it seem like all the rich people you know own one, and thus make them look more enticing to everybody.
In other words, take a Saturn Sky, make it "green," take the damn Saturn logo off it, advertise it as a CEO's second car, sell millions, and save the planet.
- the PonyGirl on Marketing 101
< Message edited by ncponygirl -- 6/8/2007 12:19:59 AM >
_____________________________
1988 White 5.0 GT 'Vert - I miss this car! 130K+ - sold
1998 Black GT 'Vert - sold
2001 Red GT 'Vert - sold
2006 Saleen S281 Satin Silver Speedster - my current obsession!
Well, it seems to me that this new venture will be right up Mr. Saleen's alley.... he'll get to start up a new company, which he has already done once. I say anybody who can get through a startup and come out the other end without a bankruptcy deserves respect. I also respect his view of "entry-level" autos. Americans are used to buying almost everything else in "disposable" form -- why not cars?
Now, here's a really good idea, Steve. Make them energy-efficient hybrids. Make them cool-looking. Make an Ipod hookup standard gear. You can do it under budget... they're made in China, right?
And then the hard part. Make sure you market these cars as second cars for people of moderately high income. These would be advertised as daily driver cars for people who also own nicer, more expensive, gas-intensive cars (such as Saleens). We would feel good about saving the environment during the week with our "green" car, and bring out the baby for the weekend. In reality, most of the cars sold would actually be sold to teens, tree-huggers, and people with more modest incomes. But the right marketing campaign would make it seem like all the rich people you know own one, and thus make them look more enticing to everybody.
In other words, take a Saturn Sky, make it "green," take the damn Saturn logo off it, advertise it as a CEO's second car, sell millions, and save the planet.
Posts: 565
Joined: 9/13/2006 From: Manhattan Beach, CA Status: offline
In principle, like many of you, I'm totally opposed to the idea of Saleen getting in bed with a company importing econobox cars. In my view, importing econobox cars from communist China (likely built by desperate laborers getting paid a few dollars a day) is especially detestable.
Of course, depending on how it is structured, this could be an obscenely lucrative venture for Saleen and Tally (just think of how odd it seemed when Korean cars first started selling in the U.S. not too long ago, and now look at Korea's share of the U.S. market). So if Saleen and Tally can line their pockets with the Chi-Comm's money to enable them to develop "American Performance Cars" that will actually be built in the U.S., then MAYBE this unholly alliance is all worth it.
Then again, maybe my next muscle car will be a Roush...
ORIGINAL: ncponygirl In other words, take a Saturn Sky, make it "green," take the damn Saturn logo off it, advertise it as a CEO's second car, sell millions, and save the planet.
Uhhh.....WHAT?
Hey, bigtone, never mind. I can tell from the commercial you posted in a different post http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVPcsJAjMFM&NR=1 that my marketing idea wouldn't work on you, anyway!
To be fair, it had been a long day at work yesterday and I probably wasn't making much sense either... but thanks for pointing it out so kindly.
_____________________________
1988 White 5.0 GT 'Vert - I miss this car! 130K+ - sold
1998 Black GT 'Vert - sold
2001 Red GT 'Vert - sold
2006 Saleen S281 Satin Silver Speedster - my current obsession!
Posts: 895
Joined: 8/5/2006 From: Alameda, CA Status: offline
The ONLY bright side I can see in this move is that possibly his name will somehow be on the car. You know, it'll be the Chinamoto Saleen. Or the Saleen Xiang. Or.... Anyway, they'll advertise the heck out of it: on the radio, on commercial breaks during Desperate Housewives, Sopranos reruns, American Idol, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, The Bachelor (next year he gets to drive on of THESE Saleens, whereby he looks like a circus clown unfolding out of a toy car), all ESPN channels, etc. And FINALLY, after all that market saturation, people hear the name of the car often enough that they learn to say Suh-LEEN!
WOO HOO!!
EDIT: Hey, I thought of a new name for the car while in the shower this a.m. (where I do all my great thinking and come up with world-saving ideas): how about Saleen Xiao Ping? heh heh
< Message edited by AmyVCTexas -- 6/8/2007 10:26:01 AM >
Posts: 3890
Joined: 3/31/2005 From: Indianapolis, IN Status: offline
I don't think you will see his name anywhere on the cars - and I would hope he wouldn't want it! The way I read it they are working FOR a company that already exists, not starting up a "performance" company on their own. I think it is just a VERY different path for Steve compared to his first 20 years. I'm sure he'll make good money at it and we'll see their cars here competing with the Hyandai's, Kia's, Daewoo's etc......certainly not anticipateing seeing a Saleen banner or bumper numbers on anything like that.
My concern is what is the future of Saleen, Inc and the Saleen Mustang as we have come to know & love since '84 If/when the Saleen mustang's run as the premier "adder" 'stang comes to a close, do you think it will have any negative impact on the collectibility the TRUE (meaning cars that were designed & built with Steve at the helm) Saleen 'stangs?
Posts: 895
Joined: 8/5/2006 From: Alameda, CA Status: offline
As with most things, with every positive there is a negative (and vice versa). It would seem that if the Saleen run (in terms of performance Mustangs) comes to a close, it would make our cars more valuable in terms of collectibility. On the flip side, I worry that it will make parts harder to find and it will take more effort to find someone who knows how to work on them -- which will make THIS forum even more valuable to all of us!
However, I seriously doubt that the investors at Saleen are interested in closing up shop. The "resignation" of Mr. Saleen may have been an effort to save the company, not shut it down. The unknown factor is how Steve's departure affected morale at HQ. If the troops there are thinking the end is near and are jumping ship, it will be very difficult to keep the company moving forward. Perhaps RedDevil (isn't he the aftermarket guy?) could chime in here.
Posts: 2710
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: AmyVCTexas WOO HOO!!
Hey, I thought of a new name for the car while in the shower this a.m. (where I do all my great thinking and come up with world-saving ideas): how about Saleen Xiao Ping? heh heh
How but if Saleen works with Ferrari, you could have the Saleen Bada Bing
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WTF??? - 
