John
12 May 2006, 7:58am
Anybody want to rethink that panel kits are the future?
John
John
What's the future of the Kit Industry?
12 May 2006, 10:32am
Anybody want to rethink that panel kits are the future?
John
John
That'll be the MR2 re-body then.
12 May 2006, 2:08pm
the Veranti is great looking conversion for the Toyota mr2, and you could create various body shapes over the mr2, maybe I should sketch something before i say something......
12 May 2006, 4:25pm
Anybody want to rethink that panel kits are the future?
John
John
I did say in concept....not necessarily execution. I'm with you on this one JG....
12 May 2006, 6:17pm
IMO the key is Adding value.
The popular 7 concept takes a clapped out cheap car and turns it into a very special little car that nothing can come close to for the money..... thus clear Added value.
at the other extreme an Ultima takes parts that a readily available at reasonable money and puts together a package of performance and looks that you have to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds more to buy its mainstream rivals..... thus clear Added Value
The replicas demonstrate this in the Kit market as well..... Cobra replicas sell well as they can be built for loads less and a higher spec than an original would cost, wereas to build a Diablo replica to the same spec won't be much shy of a 2nd hand real one.. hence they don't sell as well (even though we lust after them).
With the arrival of production cars like the Elises, VX220's, Ariel Atom etc kit cars have lost the monopoly on cheap, extreme, fast cars.
The popular 7 concept takes a clapped out cheap car and turns it into a very special little car that nothing can come close to for the money..... thus clear Added value.
at the other extreme an Ultima takes parts that a readily available at reasonable money and puts together a package of performance and looks that you have to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds more to buy its mainstream rivals..... thus clear Added Value
The replicas demonstrate this in the Kit market as well..... Cobra replicas sell well as they can be built for loads less and a higher spec than an original would cost, wereas to build a Diablo replica to the same spec won't be much shy of a 2nd hand real one.. hence they don't sell as well (even though we lust after them).
With the arrival of production cars like the Elises, VX220's, Ariel Atom etc kit cars have lost the monopoly on cheap, extreme, fast cars.
15 May 2006, 8:13am
18 May 2006, 2:56pm
How about a Ford fiesta based Dube Buggy......
http://www.stimsondesigns.com/index2.php?link=buggypics
I guess you could do this with any FWD modern hatch.
http://www.stimsondesigns.com/index2.php?link=buggypics
I guess you could do this with any FWD modern hatch.
5 Jun 2006, 8:50pm
Just an idea for the Kit industry Publications.......
http://kitcarmag.com/projectbuild/142_0409_ecocat/
Why not do something similar in Europe?
http://kitcarmag.com/projectbuild/142_0409_ecocat/
Why not do something similar in Europe?
2 Aug 2006, 10:56am
Good news
3 Aug 2006, 11:18am
OK Ferg......so you spent a lot of time in the halls compared to previous year.
What NEW stuff did you see? What I noticed was that there was a lot more accessory stands in the main hall than previous years - for example the stand I had last year was now occupied by an accessory company, PPC mag had a large stand in one hall, etc.
This means there was less manufacturers, which is not good news.
There may be a 'buzz' from the number of people attending, but if manufacturers don't feel it is worth attending to show their products, something is wrong.
What NEW stuff did you see? What I noticed was that there was a lot more accessory stands in the main hall than previous years - for example the stand I had last year was now occupied by an accessory company, PPC mag had a large stand in one hall, etc.
This means there was less manufacturers, which is not good news.
There may be a 'buzz' from the number of people attending, but if manufacturers don't feel it is worth attending to show their products, something is wrong.
Maybe, just maybe the manufacturers can't justify the cost of the stands! Any body know if they are expensive? Perhaps one way to attact more manufacturers to each show would be to lower the cost of the stands and put say 50p on the public entrance price. I think this would up the attendance figures and give a better show for the public.
3 Aug 2006, 11:33am
IIRC Stands are expensive and can run anywhere from a few 1000 to into the 10000 mark depending on how its made and whats involved (based on what I've seen on the consumer electronics side of things!)
7 Aug 2006, 6:16pm
Thats probably why kit manufacturers are short on the ground at recent shows then!
25 Aug 2006, 6:56pm
IIRC Stands are expensive and can run anywhere from a few 1000 to into the 10000 mark depending on how its made and whats involved (based on what I've seen on the consumer electronics side of things!)
Actually Patrick,
Stands at Kit Car shows cost about £250 each.
Den
25 Aug 2006, 6:59pm
Actually Patrick,
Stands at Kit Car shows cost about £250 each.
Den
Stands at Kit Car shows cost about £250 each.
Den
My mistake, I guess the electronics industry pays a lot more! Or more likely they just have more to spend
27 Aug 2006, 5:00pm
I take it one car will fit onto a £250 stand?? Most manufacturers have three or four cars to show? £1000 pounds please! Ching ching!! I'm in the wrong game ! Three or four car shows a year, advertising in a couple of mags and profit gone, unless you have a high end car like the Ultima selling for big bucks/profit.
How much does it cost to run say a quarter page advert for a year in your mag kitcarman out of interest?
How much does it cost to run say a quarter page advert for a year in your mag kitcarman out of interest?
28 Aug 2006, 1:12pm
How much does it cost to run say a quarter page advert for a year in your mag kitcarman out of interest?
As a one-off, a quarter page costs £150 plus vodka and tonic, but if booked as a series for a year it comes down to £100 (or even less if Tom’s arm is twisted).
28 Aug 2006, 9:12pm
Four or five grand on shows and £1200 for mag! Plus overheads of business premises...Mmmm. Don't envy the manufacturers!
28 Aug 2006, 11:23pm
Four or five grand on shows and £1200 for mag! Plus overheads of business premises...Mmmm. Don't envy the manufacturers!
Actually, to run any business, the businessman has to put that sort of money (and more) into advertising and promotion.
The fact is that, if anything, kit car advertising rates and exhibitions are very cost-effective. What’s more; those companies who take advantage of it are those who prosper.
Advertising and promotion is as an important part of the success of a business as its staff and materials. Without all three the company will not prosper.
Den.
29 Aug 2006, 7:57am
Four or five grand on shows and £1200 for mag! Plus overheads of business premises...Mmmm. Don't envy the manufacturers!
That is very cheap.
Our company will spend £20k on advertising /yr, plus extras for trade stands, merchandising and marketing.
A half page ad in most mags will be more like £1200 / issue.
What’s more; those companies who take advantage of it are those who prosper.
This is fully understandable. It is marketing that sells products just as much as quality and value.
If you are not aware something is available, you'll never buy it!
If your marketing is trendy, your product is, therefore more people will buy it.
So does the future of the kit car industry lie with the magazines and the way the industry is marketed?
Sorry Den, but b*tchin' ain't marketing.
29 Aug 2006, 12:19pm
So does the future of the kit car industry lie with the magazines and the way the industry is marketed?
It certainly lies with the way the industry is marketed. I believe that the magazines play a very important part in that. Lying magazines haven’t helped….
Sorry Den, but b*tchin' ain't marketing.
Hmmm… without stirring up a hornet’s nest, my campaign hasn’t been as mindless as your terminology suggests.
Was my spilling the beans the cause of the problem, or the first stage of its cure? I’d like to think that I’ve straightened a bent press – by alerting readers to the fact that beyond the gloss and hype there are real issues.
Standing up for what’s right has cost me dearly but I got there in the end! Now, from a position of financial strength, and having regained my personal confidence, I’m moving forward in promoting this industry. The A to Z Guide presently appearing in Kit Car, at 400+ pages when complete, will be the biggest publication this industry has ever seen. I think it will get people drooling and breath new life into the Kit Car industry.
I’ll be following it up with further innovative marketing in the New Year.
Den.
29 Aug 2006, 2:48pm
Den
You know I am not saying you were right or wrong in what you set out to achieve etc. My point relates more to newcomers and others that want to read a mag.
If you were new to kit cars, say you had just visited TKC Live and got very excited about the prospect of buying a kit.
Off you go to WH Smiths to buy a mag. Which one would you buy?
Why?
Marketing (magazine) can be geared towards many things. One of which is the appearance & layout. The first thing that attracts anyone is the cover, so this has to jump out at you.
Next most people pick up the mag and flick through. So pictures need to be a good quality, attractive to look at and a good selection need to be on the right hand page. I also like the highlighted text. I know its a filler, but it gives you the gist of a story, thus gaining interest.
What you don't want to draw a browser's attention to is anything that would turn them off reading it. I believe this is one of the things that has happened to the main mags in the industry.
I know this is common knowledge to any publisher (and many of the public), but it's always worth revisiting your ideals on how the mag should look and take into account some trends from mags in other sectors.
Den, this ain't a dig, hopefully it's constructive to everyone.
BTW, I look forward to the 'innovative marketing' in the new year
You know I am not saying you were right or wrong in what you set out to achieve etc. My point relates more to newcomers and others that want to read a mag.
If you were new to kit cars, say you had just visited TKC Live and got very excited about the prospect of buying a kit.
Off you go to WH Smiths to buy a mag. Which one would you buy?
Why?
Marketing (magazine) can be geared towards many things. One of which is the appearance & layout. The first thing that attracts anyone is the cover, so this has to jump out at you.
Next most people pick up the mag and flick through. So pictures need to be a good quality, attractive to look at and a good selection need to be on the right hand page. I also like the highlighted text. I know its a filler, but it gives you the gist of a story, thus gaining interest.
What you don't want to draw a browser's attention to is anything that would turn them off reading it. I believe this is one of the things that has happened to the main mags in the industry.
I know this is common knowledge to any publisher (and many of the public), but it's always worth revisiting your ideals on how the mag should look and take into account some trends from mags in other sectors.
Den, this ain't a dig, hopefully it's constructive to everyone.
BTW, I look forward to the 'innovative marketing' in the new year
29 Aug 2006, 3:13pm
[QUOTE=Ex-Biker]Den
Next most people pick up the mag and flick through.
What you don't want to draw a browser's attention to is anything that would turn them off reading it.
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]So i'm not alone when I [COLOR="Red"]flick [/COLOR]through a mag to see if I wish to purchase it? Maybe you would increase sales if you removed the covering Den? What am I saying, you've got more money than you can spend now! £1200 x 50 adverts = How much!![/COLOR] Ha Ha
Next most people pick up the mag and flick through.
What you don't want to draw a browser's attention to is anything that would turn them off reading it.
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]So i'm not alone when I [COLOR="Red"]flick [/COLOR]through a mag to see if I wish to purchase it? Maybe you would increase sales if you removed the covering Den? What am I saying, you've got more money than you can spend now! £1200 x 50 adverts =
How much!![/COLOR] Ha Ha
29 Aug 2006, 4:00pm
[COLOR="DarkOrange"]So i'm not alone when I [COLOR="Red"]flick [/COLOR]through a mag to see if I wish to purchase it? Maybe you would increase sales if you removed the covering Den? What am I saying, you've got more money than you can spend now! £1200 x 50 adverts =
How much!![/COLOR] Ha HaHow much? Not a lot from what I see.
How much do you think it costs to produce a magazine?
29 Aug 2006, 4:22pm
The Host site has no interest in the kit car market, their business is display space.
As for the cost of stands, i had 2 days at Earls Court this year £7,500 was my share. The stand was shared between 7 of us!!
Manufacturers need to improve there product, get them right up to date with tecnology, even if it means a much higher purchase price.
Fast, Lightweight & cheap in comparison to the new car market.
Cheap, out dated parts have no appeal
As for the cost of stands, i had 2 days at Earls Court this year £7,500 was my share. The stand was shared between 7 of us!!
Manufacturers need to improve there product, get them right up to date with tecnology, even if it means a much higher purchase price.
Fast, Lightweight & cheap in comparison to the new car market.
Cheap, out dated parts have no appeal
29 Aug 2006, 5:23pm
Fast, Lightweight & cheap in comparison to the new car market.
When you have worked out how to achieve this impossiblity please let all the manufacturers know......
I have been through it before.....simple production numbers mean that to develop a car/kit which is only going to have say 20 units produced a year will have a massive R&D cost per unit, so they wont be 'cheap'.
Mainstream manufacturers can do it due to the massive production numbers.