British sports car maker TVR’s future is secured, according to Autocar magazine.
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The UK magazine reports that despite recent job cuts (260) and the imminent closure of its Blackpool plant the company is planning new models and relocating the company to purposely designed premises – possibly overseas.
The report says that TVR’s Russian owner Nikolai Smolenski has ambitious production targets in his sight, to more than double TVR production to 5,000 cars a year with a focus to export to expanding markets like Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Making this many cars would put it on a par with Aston Martin.
Autocar says that there are three live relocation possibilities on the table: Wales, the Midlands or overseas.
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By GlobalDataHowever, no details will be released until TVR has informed Blackpool union officials of the decision.
Insiders say that TVR anticipates that production will be up and running this time next year.
The magazine adds that die hard TVR fans can expect to see a three-tier model range of models broadly based on the current Sagaris, Tuscan and Cerberra with roadster, targa and coupe variants.
Sources reveal that the appearance of a new luxury expensive supercar is very likely to be added to the range within a couple of years.
Chas Hallett, Autocar editor said: “News of a TVR rescue is terrific, but it’s precarious position should still not be under-estimated. It still needs to secure premises and find skilled workers. But a world without TVR is a grim one for anyone interested in cars.”
TVR was bought in 2004 by ‘baby oligarch’ Nikolai Smolensky, the son of Russian banker Alexander Smolensky.
TVR was founded in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson (the name Trevor creating the TVR name) and the cars have a strong following among sportscar enthusiasts in Britain.
Their light weight and powerful engines make some TVRs as quick as Ferraris, but for considerably less outlay.
The cars have, however, a poor reputation in terms of reliability. Over the past year sales have dwindled and the announcement at the end of last month that the owner wanted to shut the Blackpool plant was not unexpected.
