Re: [DML] RE: Vendors, new product development...

["Joe Thome" <joethome@xxxx>]

Stian,

Your suggestion about vendors getting their money up front for a product
they are interested in bringing to market is an excellent one. If any of the
established vendors were to propose a product and it appealed to me I'd be
willing to pay for it in advance with the idea that my money would be
returned in a reasonable time if the development was abandoned.

Speaking of side mirrors, one idea I'd like to see come to market is a side
mirror which could easily replace the original side mirror but that would
incorporate a red turn signal on its outer edge. A white curtsey light at
the bottom to illuminate the ground below it might not be a bad idea either.
I've seen both those features on some high end new model cars and SUVs I
think they both are a good safety feature. The mirror would have to rather
closely resemble the original mirrors so as to not spoil the original
beautiful look to the car.

Joe Thome
VIN 6467

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stian Birkeland" <delorean@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 12:47 PM
Subject: [DML] RE: Vendors, new product development...


> A few comments -
> If there is trouble to have people pay after a part has been developed,
why not make them pay in advance?
> I, for one, would have absolutely no trouble with that. I'm one of DMC
Houston most satisfied customers, their service and knowledge is great, and
lets face it - it is only they who can take the DeLorean on to "another
level" based on their warehouse of DeLorean parts.
>
> Again, I would like to remind people of the poll concerning new
re-developed parts.
>
> James, does DMC Houston have plans for a small temperature gadget that
could be fitted in the space of the centre console clock? It would be very
nice to know the outside temperature. Wide angle mirrors are also a thing
that would make the DeLorean more modern.
>
> And the torsion bar issue. Do you have the blueprints/info on how to make
these bars or is this info lost?
> If it is lost, be sure to get in touch with the retired engineers at
Grumman before they pass away. We need this info.
>
> Finally, you have mentioned that a bracket is coming soon, the bracket for
holding down the T-panel behind the rear louvers. When will that be ready?
>
> Other than this, can you tell us what other parts DMC Houston are
considering to re-manufacture?
>
> Very best wishes
> Stian Birkeland
> Norway
>
> VIN # 06759
>
> Unfortunately unable to attend Memphis :-( But you guys have a great time,
you hear! :-)
>
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 10:18:01 -0500
> From: James Espey <james@xxxx>
> Subject: Vendors, new product development...
>
> Precisely why I had to smile when Stian mentioned this - it's a great idea
> to have people pre-pay to order a part that's being developed, but when
it's
> time for people to put their money where their mouth is, it's often a
> different story.
>
> On things like the switches, door handles, etc - in order to make the cost
> reasonable (note that the three aforementioned products actually came DOWN
> in price from previous retail), a relatively large minimum order for
> production is required. Particularly when you consider how many cars are
> left and actively used.
>
> So it becomes a numbers game - how many can you sell, at what price, to
get
> a return on the investment (at least recovering expenses, preferably
making
> some money if for nothing else than to have something ELSE
remanufactured)?
> A lot of stuff doesn't make the cut (yet) based on that.
>
> Stian mentioned the two tank senders, and Martin pointed out that
> competition is healthy. In this case, Tankzilla is a fine product, and we
> have used them for several years. But the price turns a lot of people off,
> and at times, we have had problems with availability (though not very
> often). Our tank sender will retail for considerably less than half the
> price of Tankzilla, and as we had them manufactured ourselves,
availability
> shouldn't be a problem for us.
>
> James
>
> >> Why don't some of the vendors do this?
> >> Put forward an offer on a part that will be reproduced. Let people
> >> pre-order, and hold the credit card on file...so when the part has
> >> been reproduced they charge the card and ship it out.
> >> This method could boost development time for replacement DMC parts
> >> of higher quality...
> >
> (SNIP)
> > prior to embarking. He didn't ask for a "credit card commitment" up
front as
> > suggested above, just an indication of interest. As a vendor for 16
years,
> (SNIP)
> > support expressed, how hard could it be to sell 100 sets?
> >
> > Harder than we thought. After 5+ months of fairly high visibility on
the DML
> > we have sold exactly 59 sets. Many of those who expressed initial
support
> > never came through with orders.
> (SNIP)
> > Was it worth putting up close to 6 grand to see so little (less than 1%)
> > interest in the TABs? Not from a business perspective. But we who
support the
> > hobby the rest of you enjoy will keep doing it. Or most will. Its up
to you.
> > Darryl T.
> > Specialty Automotive
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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