Does HSV understand its Market?

[nailit]

Everyone notice just how quickly nailit and Martin D, both residents of Adelaide and quite well known to each other, avoided like the plague the question I posed about the hidden agenda of this thread???
It's there people...trust me.

Martin and the Old Man are known to each other . . . . I have met Martin in the past and have probably spoken a couple of dozen words to him

. . . So get over yourself

[Strick]

This is quite a good read and am taking alot in.....

[701let]

So what is the agenda?? This is great!

[steve_t]

I thought the agenda was Nailit trying to get his post count up but I could be wrong...

How can you guys enjoy this? You've not posted a lot but you've both been members for ages. Surely you've got deja vu for the 10th time?

[701let]

Mate these guys seem to have a bit of history and are probably alot more in the know than I am so it's interesting to read their opinions and the different takes on it..

Fwiw I think HSV are doing a great job. I have an E1 R8 and I love it! I think the E series in general are by far the best model HSV have produced, and I think it's vindicated by the fact that for example the new fpv which has the 'superior' power train still sell nowhere near the units hsv do. People love them and maybe alot of the true enthusiasts want/expect more but at the end of the day as pointed out by PD its really only a small percentage of HSVs market. So yes i think they understand their market very well

[Evman]

[jai]

hsvmeeting by jketteridge, on Flickr

[Wonky]

Surely you've got deja vu for the 10th time?

I suspect more likely deja VE.

[Martin_D]

So what is the agenda?? This is great!

I am not sure of Nailits agenda...they do their own thing....at their own pace.

My agenda is a simple one, and thats to push Davo to spill information on the new releases he has been carefully assisting in the engineering and development of for HSV. I know that there is a HSV Cruze in the wings or at least under evaluation, and I think if HSV are to survive they need to go back to their roots, while Nissan were still in the Clayton plant and do some more joint venture stuff. HSV Jackaroo with Isuzu, HSV SV1800 with Nissan, they were all part of a diverse marketing platform that gave HSV manufacturing credibility to a wider audience. They were good cars and built the brand.

If HSV were forced to race against other manufacturers in proper production series they would have one of two choices to make - build faster more durable better value cars, or disappear. We would all win and tons more of us would drive them

[Pickles]

John Crennan......"Crenno"......gotta agree there......will forever be the "Father" of HSV.
And the other HSV "Legend" that has not been mentioned recently is John Harvey. Of course John was instrumental in a massive amount of the original "setting up" of HSV, and whilst I don't know much about that stuff, I do know how much importance John placed upon HSV's customers......and he was HSV's "face" of customer service, until he retired. There was never an email, or a phone call, to him, that went unanswered. ANYBODY, could ring up, speak to John, and if he couldn't fix your issue, he'd find some-one that could.
In my opinion, sinse john "left", HSV's customer support has gone downhill......maybe that's an area where they could improve.
Cheers, Pickles

[rgmast]

I am not sure of Nailits agenda...they do their own thing....at their own pace.

My agenda is a simple one, and thats to push Davo to spill information on the new releases he has been carefully assisting in the engineering and development of for HSV. I know that there is a HSV Cruze in the wings or at least under evaluation, and I think if HSV are to survive they need to go back to their roots, while Nissan were still in the Clayton plant and do some more joint venture stuff. HSV Jackaroo with Isuzu, HSV SV1800 with Nissan, they were all part of a diverse marketing platform that gave HSV manufacturing credibility to a wider audience. They were good cars and built the brand.

If HSV were forced to race against other manufacturers in proper production series they would have one of two choices to make - build faster more durable better value cars, or disappear. We would all win and tons more of us would drive them

Thats total crap Martin

How would Davo find the time to assist HSV when he is in with Red Bull and assisting them so much

And Davo maybe the reality is that people arent buying HSVs, is since the E1 they went awol and create something weird that the real punters just dont like them and arent just going to buy one cos they are a HSV.
Yes ya common miner(as u would call them) will but the people with real money are a lot smarter than that. My money is staying in my pocket until I see something I like/want. If FPV ute was 1 whole body and didnt have leaf springs I would be buying that in a second. I cant have a sedan for business reasons or else I would have the GT.

"Build it and they will come"

Good businesses dont sit on their hands . Hsv might not be but from where im looking thats what its looks like to me. They think the product will sell no matter what they produce. WRONG.

[mjrandom]

John Crennan......"Crenno"......gotta agree there......will forever be the "Father" of HSV.
And the other HSV "Legend" that has not been mentioned recently is John Harvey. Of course John was instrumental in a massive amount of the original "setting up" of HSV, and whilst I don't know much about that stuff, I do know how much importance John placed upon HSV's customers......and he was HSV's "face" of customer service, until he retired. There was never an email, or a phone call, to him, that went unanswered. ANYBODY, could ring up, speak to John, and if he couldn't fix your issue, he'd find some-one that could.
In my opinion, sinse john "left", HSV's customer support has gone downhill......maybe that's an area where they could improve.
Cheers, Pickles

I bought one of the first VN Clubsports when they were released and as it was a rush to get them out I had a minor defect in the wiring to one of the add ons. No big deal but the dealer wouldn't touch anything because it was "HSV and we need guidance and they are closed for the weekend" so instead I rang HSV (mid morning Saturday) on the off chance I could get hold of someone and John Harvey answered the call. I explained what was happening and how I thought it was a simple thing to fix but the dealer was nervous. He laughed and we worked out what the issue was and it was a simple fix. Spent the next 20 minutes or so talking with him about the car and my first impressions, his vision for HSV etc. Fixed the problem myself in about 2 minutes and then later found out I had a conversation with the CEO. Damn nice bloke and very down to earth.

With regards to the topic and not the conversations I think HSV know what they need to do to get sales and they are doing just enough to keep their market. Like some others the products out of the box aren't exactly my cup of tea but hey it is easy to make those changes. I understand the restraints that HSV have but it would be nice to have a bigger option list to select from if you are ordering the car, you know being able to option a senator rear spoiler on the Clubbie or GTS or vice versa. I saw an E1 Senator with the R8/GTS front on it and GTS wheels and it looked fantastic and you should be able to do this from the factory and not have to go to the trouble of buying the bits. Not bothered about the different engine specs because it is so easy to get more kW with a tune and cat back so a couple of kW is no big deal just looking at the W427 brakes and appearance add ons and yes I know this adds cost but if you are ordering a car that has to be built and the parts are there for other variants it shouldn't be such an impost to get the combination you want.

[nailit]

With regards to the topic and not the conversations I think HSV know what they need to do to get sales and they are doing just enough to keep their market. Like some others the products out of the box aren't exactly my cup of tea but hey it is easy to make those changes. I understand the restraints that HSV have but it would be nice to have a bigger option list to select from if you are ordering the car, you know being able to option a senator rear spoiler on the Clubbie or GTS or vice versa. I saw an E1 Senator with the R8/GTS front on it and GTS wheels and it looked fantastic and you should be able to do this from the factory and not have to go to the trouble of buying the bits. Not bothered about the different engine specs because it is so easy to get more kW with a tune and cat back so a couple of kW is no big deal just looking at the W427 brakes and appearance add ons and yes I know this adds cost but if you are ordering a car that has to be built and the parts are there for other variants it shouldn't be such an impost to get the combination you want.

When I started this thread . . I probably should have defined it as "Does HSV know its Market in 2011" . . . cos thats exactly my point and where I was coming from with this topic . . . as I feel that many things are a little adrift and their Marketing MIndset!!! its . . . err. . . strange at this time

But as I said earlier. . . watch this space.

Crennan & Harvey were great . . . I have so many stories to tell (but dad has a thread on the hsvforum that says pretty much all of it) . . . . but in relation to your post re options . . way back in the early to mid 2000's . . . I can remember Crenno coming up tp our place for a visit . . . me and my brothers wagged school for the day cos it was just so special to have him coming to home we just couldnt miss it . . . and Mum lets us get away with it!!

I can still remember Dad and Crenno wandering around the garages talking about all sorts of stuff but one thing sticks in my mund - Dad said to Crenno - why dont you do something like Porsche "Tequipment" . . . which is much like your suggestion mjrandom . . . Crenno was a starter - if my memory serves me well . . . dunno what happened but the upheaval at TWR & Arrows might have put Crenno's mind into other Area's and nothing eventuated . . . . until much later when they did the WP thing . . . but that wasnt the answer as HSV had (and still has) most of the necessary resourses in house!!!

[jc_sv8]

With everyone carrying on about small cars how about an LS3 power HSV Cruze hatch.

The stillborn TT36 concept may yet live...

[BEARWOOD]

For those who are not in "the circle" but are members here can someone tell me who nailit & his father is..and Planetdavo what is your role with Holden?
I'm sick of reading post after post and having to try and read between the lines to understand what is actually being said or meant.
Get it out there so everyone can enjoy the threads.