Saleen doomed?

[79TA]

Before, I was under the impression that Saleen was preparing to move its operations to Troy Michigan, where it built Ford GT's. However, that doesn't seem to be the case as the whole company, not just the Irvine branch, has been downsizing. The Irving HQ just went through another round of layoffs. I'll reiterate, no S7's have been built for quite some time. More alarming though, are the sales figures. Lately, Saleen has been selling about 11 Mustangs a month, a far cry from their monthly sales figures of the recent past.

Saleen has just really been missing the market. For instance, the Saleen truck was realeased two full model years after the initial release of the latest Ford F150. Another mistake was the money dumped into R&D for the Saleen Thunderbirds. Since many have not seen or heard of a Saleen Thunderbird, one can see how that was a total waste. Also, the N2O Focus project flopped and the related lawsuit didn't help either. Things just aren't looking good for Saleen.

[nthfinity]

The investment group isn't getting any favors from customers when they forcibly escorted Steve Saleen off the premises... people remember that kind of thing... but, honestly, there have been great deals that Saleen have been giving people for some time.... "If you buy this(at a discount) we will throw in that(for free)" The future for Saleen is uncertain to say the least.

[79TA]

whaa, when did that happen? I guess I'll look that up now.

On another negative note, their own website isn't up to date with their products.

[dangerously_cool]

I just read about his resignation. What happened? Where are they in Irvine. They just opened up a store at either Spectrum, South Coast or something.

We've already got heavy ass cars for 60 grand. Now it's not that special. Just get a Z06. I'm sure other minds reached the same conclusion.

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by dangerously_cool I just read about his resignation. What happened? Where are they in Irvine. They just opened up a store at either Spectrum, South Coast or something.

They just closed the Saleen store in Irvine. And Steve Saleen's setting up somethings, one of which includes importing Chinese pickups.

Originally Posted by dangerously_cool We've already got heavy ass cars for 60 grand. Now it's not that special. Just get a Z06. I'm sure other minds reached the same conclusion.

True, but it's awesome having a car manufacturer in your back yard (so to speak). I've been to their factory twice and they were great experiences. Irvine isn't Modena, but it sure beats Troy, Michigan, I'm sure. Now we only have Cizeta and Fisker. And some random mass manufacturers.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by HeilSvenska They just closed the Saleen store in Irvine. And Steve Saleen's setting up somethings, one of which includes importing Chinese pickups. True, but it's awesome having a car manufacturer in your back yard (so to speak). I've been to their factory twice and they were great experiences. Irvine isn't Modena, but it sure beats Troy, Michigan, I'm sure. Now we only have Cizeta and Fisker. And some random mass manufacturers.

Have you been to the Troy facility?

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by nthfinity Have you been to the Troy facility?

No. How is it?

[HeilSvenska]

Oh great. Now Fisker's considering building the Karma in Detroit.

[79TA]

^^^

whyeeee? Not all cars built in the US need to be built in the rusty states!

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by 79TA ^^^ whyeeee? Not all cars built in the US need to be built in the rusty states!

There are many reasons why to choose Detroit over everywhere else

[79TA]

So cars would rust out and need to be replaced sooner?

[HeilSvenska]

I have nothing against Michigan. But it's sad to see a company that I love move so far away. Like how Seattlites must have felt when Boeing moved to Chicago of all places.