Just Curious About Caterham Sales

[lucky dawg]

Is anyone aware of new Caterham purchases by actual consumers since Superformance became the new US distributor? I don't recall anyone on this forum saying they had bought one yet.

 

Just curious to see if there are early results from the changeover and wondering if/how the experience may differ from before.

[lucky dawg]

Kind of interesting that no one on a 7 forum is aware of any Caterham sales since the first of the year. Not sure what that really means, but cannot be considered a good thing for Superformance. Hope this improves for them.

[mrmustang]

Kind of interesting that no one on a 7 forum is aware of any Caterham sales since the first of the year. Not sure what that really means, but cannot be considered a good thing for Superformance. Hope this improves for them.

 

Remember, this forum is just a small (perhaps as little as 10%) snapshot of the "7" user base. As such, and coupled with the wicked weather that has happened across the country, I read very little in to your statement with any relevance on the market as a whole.

 

 

 

Sorry

 

 

 

Bill S.

[Kitcat]

I think when this issue was raised in the past that it looked like Cat USA was selling maybe 8-12 units a year and the other dealers another 8-12, altogether, for a total of about 25 or so for the USA. That might be on the high side.

 

We shall see what Superformance can do, but I think it will be hard to beat 25 units, given competition from Birkin and Stalker, both of which are a lot less $, and the highly focused nature of this "purist's" car.

[MoPho]

As has been pointed out, this forum is no gauge of sales. Over the years I have met many 7 owners that either didn't know about or had no interest in the forums (even met 2 more last week).

Back in November, while trying to procure a Caterham for a magazine article, I found 3 brand new builds underway just in northern California none of which had been discussed on the forum.

 

.

[MoPho]

We shall see what Superformance can do, but I think it will be hard to beat 25 units, given competition from Birkin and Stalker, both of which are a lot less $, and the highly focused nature of this "purist's" car.

 

 

 

Perhaps, but I am sure there are plenty of people like me who wouldn't even consider anything other than a Caterham.

 

 

.

[Sean]

I think when this issue was raised in the past that it looked like Cat USA was selling maybe 8-12 units a year and the other dealers another 8-12, altogether, for a total of about 25 or so for the USA. That might be on the high side.

 

We shall see what Superformance can do, but I think it will be hard to beat 25 units, given competition from Birkin and Stalker, both of which are a lot less $, and the highly focused nature of this "purist's" car.

 

A recent quote from an interview with Graham Macdonald, previously CEO of Caterham Cars, and now CEO of Caterham Group:

 

"It's quite true that we've just signed a new U.S. distributor - called Superformance; they have a solid sportscar background and they firmly believe there is a big market for the Seven in the United States, far greater than we have ever achieved in the past. In recent times, we have sold in the region of 6 to 12 cars per year - Superformance has signed up to 50 cars to start with and is adamant that there is a bigger market to be developed."

[lucky dawg]

Remember, this forum is just a small (perhaps as little as 10%) snapshot of the "7" user base. As such, and coupled with the wicked weather that has happened across the country, I read very little in to your statement with any relevance on the market as a whole.

 

Sorry

 

Bill S.

 

Wow, for reading very little into my statement, you sure read a lot into a post that was intended as a pretty basic question. I was just curious (see thread title) if anyone was aware of any Caterham sales by Superformance and their experience. And then thought it was interesting that no one knew of any, especially since there are now a few dealers on the forum.

 

I wasn't asking for a poll on the % of 7 owners on this forum, not a request for a weather report (which was quite nice at the large Superformance display at Barrett-Jackson), and not asking for an opinion of my post's relevance (most posts on most forums have questionable relevance, this is for fun).

Edited March 15, 2014 by lucky dawg

[mrmustang]

Wow, for reading very little into my statement, you sure read a lot into a post that was intended as a pretty basic question. I was just curious (see thread title) if anyone was aware of any Caterham sales by Superformance and their experience. And then thought it was interesting that no one knew of any, especially since there are now a few dealers on the forum.

 

I wasn't asking for a poll on the % of 7 owners on this forum, not a request for a weather report (which was quite nice at the large Superformance display at Barrett-Jackson), and not asking for an opinion of my post's relevance (most posts on most forums have questionable relevance, this is for fun).

 

So what you are trying to say is that you did not like my response because I did not play your game. Sorry, but still on point never the less. The 10% I made mention above still holds true, regardless of what you think is relevant or not. Have a wonderful day reveling in your self centered response to my original post in the thread you started.

 

 

 

Bill S.

[MoPho]

Wow, for reading very little into my statement, you sure read a lot into a post that was intended as a pretty basic question. I was just curious (see thread title) if anyone was aware of any Caterham sales by Superformance and their experience. And then thought it was interesting that no one knew of any, especially since there are now a few dealers on the forum.

 

I wasn't asking for a poll on the % of 7 owners on this forum, not a request for a weather report (which was quite nice at the large Superformance display at Barrett-Jackson), and not asking for an opinion of my post's relevance (most posts on most forums have questionable relevance, this is for fun).

 

 

Err, it was your second post which gave something to "read into"

 

Kind of interesting that no one on a 7 forum is aware of any Caterham sales since the first of the year. Not sure what that really means, but cannot be considered a good thing for Superformance.

 

 

 

.

[lucky dawg]

So what you are trying to say is that you did not like my response because I did not play your game. Sorry, but still on point never the less. The 10% I made mention above still holds true, regardless of what you think is relevant or not. Have a wonderful day reveling in your self centered response to my original post in the thread you started.

 

Bill S.

 

Not a game, just curious as stated. Without doubting your methodology or accuracy, how did you arrive at your 10% determination? There are 2860 members here, of which 498 are considered active. So, you could be right. Or not.

[lucky dawg]

Err, it was your second post which gave something to "read into".

 

I understand your point, but no implications were intended. The lack of forum awareness of sales may or may not be a bad thing, but I doubt anyone could consider it as good, especially in light of the recent Caterham publicity and marketing in the US. And to me that was interesting, sorry if it wasn't to others.

[mrmustang]

Not a game, just curious as stated. Without doubting your methodology or accuracy, how did you arrive at your 10% determination? There are 2860 members here, of which 498 are considered active. So, you could be right. Or not.

 

Based on my 30+ years being heavily involved with MG's TR6's, Lotus's,Morgans, Cobras, Shelbys, Mustangs, and a host of others. Some groups have a larger % of online presence than others, but the average is 5-15%. Based on the owners, buyers, and sellers of these cars that have no clue that this site existed before I pointed them here, I'd have to say that my 10% is pretty damn close vs the cars that are out there on the road today. As for buyers, let's face it, a Lotus 7 is not for everyone, and the old distributor food chain did little to properly promote the line. This is one of the reasons why Superformance won the contract to sell the Caterham line. Because they do know how to promote what they offer.

 

Bill S.

[Croc]

Restricting myself to answering the question asked, I am aware of 2 new Caterham sales since Jan 1. I am sure there are others out there that I don't hear about by word of mouth.

[lucky dawg]

Restricting myself to answering the question asked, I am aware of 2 new Caterham sales since Jan 1. I am sure there are others out there that I don't hear about by word of mouth.

 

Thanks, it's good to hear that some Caterhams are being moved, hopefully there will be many more. Any idea on which models were purchased?

[lucky dawg]

Based on my 30+ years being heavily involved with MG's TR6's, Lotus's,Morgans, Cobras, Shelbys, Mustangs, and a host of others. Some groups have a larger % of online presence than others, but the average is 5-15%. Based on the owners, buyers, and sellers of these cars that have no clue that this site existed before I pointed them here, I'd have to say that my 10% is pretty damn close vs the cars that are out there on the road today. As for buyers, let's face it, a Lotus 7 is not for everyone, and the old distributor food chain did little to properly promote the line. This is one of the reasons why Superformance won the contract to sell the Caterham line. Because they do know how to promote what they offer.

 

Bill S.

 

Seems reasonable enough. Using your assessment and the 496 active members on this forum (some having multiple 7s and some having none), it appears you believe there are about 5000 Lotus, Caterhams, Birkins, Westfields, etc. in the US and Canada (the primary member location). Of course this does not count any of the 2300+ inactive members who may still have cars.

 

I don't know if 5000 is about right. Does anyone have an idea on the number of 7s out there based on something other than a SWAG?

Edited March 16, 2014 by lucky dawg

[MoPho]

Seems reasonable enough. Using your assessment and the 496 active members on this forum (some having multiple 7s and some having none), it appears you believe there are about 5000 Lotus, Caterhams, Birkins, Westfields, etc. in the US and Canada (the primary member location). Of course this does not count any of the 2300+ inactive members who may still have cars.

 

I don't know if 5000 is about right. Does anyone have an idea on the number of 7s out there based on something other than a SWAG?

 

 

I hate to break it to you, but most of the 2800 members are probably spam bots. And of those that aren't spambots, many are people who considered one but didn't buy or those that wish they could buy one but can't.

 

What is the criteria set at for being an "active member" on this forum? The default setting I believe is logged in within 30 days and most likely that activity is being bumped up by those spam bots

 

 

Seems to me there really is only like 20 or so(if that) truly active members on this forum.

 

 

And personally I don't want them to sell a lot of cars http://www.websmileys.com/sm/sad/533.gif

 

 

.

[NVP66S]

 

I don't know if 5000 is about right. Does anyone have an idea on the number of 7s out there based on something other than a SWAG?

 

When I bought my Mazda-donor Westfield kit last year, I asked Bill Cardell of Flyin' Miata how many he had sold. "About 20" was the answer. Keep in mind that's just the Mazda based version of one model Westfield. Manik in Texas is the importer and they handle the other models including the bike engined 7-type cars (Mostly Megabusas) as well as the other car engined cars including the S2000 model and the various Ford and Cosworth versions. The Seight is no longer marketed, but people still build their own.

 

This does not include Westfield's other models also from Manik in the US, such as the Lotus XI replica based on the Spridget donor, and the track-only XTR.

[manik]

When I bought my Mazda-donor Westfield kit last year, I asked Bill Cardell of Flyin' Miata how many he had sold. "About 20" was the answer. Keep in mind that's just the Mazda based version of one model Westfield. Manik in Texas is the importer and they handle the other models including the bike engined 7-type cars (Mostly Megabusas) as well as the other car engined cars including the S2000 model and the various Ford and Cosworth versions. The Seight is no longer marketed, but people still build their own.

 

This does not include Westfield's other models also from Manik in the US, such as the Lotus XI replica based on the Spridget donor, and the track-only XTR.

 

 

I'd be happy to chime in an indicate that we have a large number of Westfield 'clubman' customers who do not participate in internet forums whatsoever. An interesting look at the Westfield demographics I think?

 

I believe Superformance will need to revisit their sales forecasts once they reach Q3 of this year. I'm just sayin'.

 

 

tom

[xcarguy]

I'd be happy to chime in an indicate that we have a large number of Westfield 'clubman' customers who do not participate in internet forums whatsoever. An interesting look at the Westfield demographics I think?

 

I believe Superformance will need to revisit their sales forecasts once they reach Q3 of this year. I'm just sayin'.

 

 

tom

 

Well, I honestly haven't given this topic too much thought as this thread was originally pertaining to Caterham sales . . . but . . . I do know there are also several Stalker owners who do not participate in any internet forums as well, or, are very limited as to which forum/s they use and as to how often they post. I, for instance, participate more on this forum than the dedicated Yahoo Stalker forum (or, any other forum) simply because this community is broader and I enjoy chatting with guys who own various makes and models. I enjoy reading and learning about Caterhams, Westfields, Birkins, etc. . . . . and, of course . . . . Storkers. :jester: . . . . . I honestly can't remember the last time I posted anything (or even read any posts) on the Yahoo Birkins forum, or any other for that matter.