XTR2Turbo Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 Seeing all this news of factories such as Aston and Rolls Royce laying off staff just wondered how Westfield were holding up. I did hear that some companies such as Zcars had sold lots of cars recently into Europe with the weak pound. I see there is a build site from a US buyer. I hope the same is true for Westfield. I wonder if the kit car industry is more or less vulnerable than the car sales overall. Track days still seem to be growing. Quote
fatbaldbloke Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 Well, I'm going to have a bit of a grumble (which is unusual for me). I'm trying to buy some parts and I have called the parts desk 6 or 7 times over the last 10 days. Every time I've been put onto voicemail, I've left several messages to call me, but to no avail. I've now sent an email. We'll see if that works. I really do want the company to do well, as my Westfield has brought me so much pleasure, but somewhere along the line they surely have to help themselves. If I get a prompt response to the email, rest assured, I will post my satisfaction. Quote
pete g Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 and i emailed a tech question last week and have had no answer . so have phoned 3 times so far today and got cut off 3 times. Quote
ludo Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 there is a new westfield to be revealed in january fitted with an opel 1.6L turbo engine, EU4 compliant so that it will have a european certificate of conformity. That will surely bring a lot of new customers, for france alone I would guess an extra 15-20 sales for 2009. Quote
Mark Stanton Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 QUOTE there is a new westfield to be revealed in january fitted with an opel 1.6L turbo engine, EU4 compliant so that it will have a european certificate of conformity. Not much to be revealed now is there Ludo Quote
Carl Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 New model or not we (the western world) are heading into a deep recession which will surely effect the sales of high cost luxury goods. The "std" Automotive market is in the worst condition for over 20 years and with no sign of improving. I fear for small Automotive companies all over Europe. Quote
ludo Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 well, it's official on the french website for a week now! lol picture of the test mule here: http://www.tho.fr/WESTFIELD/WESTFIELD%20news.html Quote
Mark Stanton Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 Doesn't quite show the full length of the proto-type exhaust does it Quote
fatbaldbloke Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 QUOTE If I get a prompt response to the email, rest assured, I will post my satisfaction. email replied to within an hour - so the advice based on my experience is to go for email contact rather than phone. Quote
Jenko Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 I talked to them a few weeks ago about my track rod ends, and why the escort ones would not fit the Westfield fabricated uprights.... Alas, they could not give me an answer (although help from people on here revealed the fabricated uprights use cortina track rod ends!)....But they asked me to email some photos, which I spent some time doing....Absolutely no response since. Obviously, there has been a fair amount of people dissatisfied with the service on this forum....Unfortunately, I'm going to have to go on that list also for the lack of response.....Previous times they have been fine, but mostly I've been buying bit's from them!. PJ. Quote
Tim Reid Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 New model or not we (the western world) are heading into a deep recession which will surely effect the sales of high cost luxury goods. The "std" Automotive market is in the worst condition for over 20 years and with no sign of improving. I fear for small Automotive companies all over Europe. Looking at the flip side... if people are buying less "high cost luxury good" (read Porsche/Caterhams/etc) people will still want to have fun and do things (read Driving on sunny days or trackdays) so will find more economical ways of doing it (read, buy a Westfield). I am not devalueing the brand but I think we all know they are much cheaper than a Caterham but just (if not more ) Fun! Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 Bought a new header tank from them recently; was (after the stories on here) dreading the new 'phone system, answerphone etc. Very pleased to say, the system all worked flawlessly for me. It was lateish when I rang, and so had to leave a message. Dave called back first thing next day to say that they were out of stock at the moment, but took my details and got it on back order. A weekish later, I got a message to say they were in, and received mine next day. I know some people have had real trouble, and don't want to make light of that. But they do get it right too! Quote
XTR2Turbo Posted December 2, 2008 Author Posted December 2, 2008 New model or not we (the western world) are heading into a deep recession which will surely effect the sales of high cost luxury goods. The "std" Automotive market is in the worst condition for over 20 years and with no sign of improving. I fear for small Automotive companies all over Europe. Looking at the flip side... if people are buying less "high cost luxury good" (read Porsche/Caterhams/etc) people will still want to have fun and do things (read Driving on sunny days or trackdays) so will find more economical ways of doing it (read, buy a Westfield). I am not devalueing the brand but I think we all know they are much cheaper than a Caterham but just (if not more ) Fun! It was similar thoughts to this that prompted my Topic. I think business will decline but I really don't know how much compared to the more mainstream sectors of the motor trade. On the up side track days are increasing and Westfields and the like are one of the most cost effective ways of doing this. As far as road cars I think it will be incresaingly difficult. SVA going up to £540, a second car is a luxury for most, the current economic environment has hit the price of some quite tasty motors which would have previously not competed with Westfields but are an option now. I think for the next couple of years export will be more critical than it has been. Quote
Norman Verona Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 When I was in Bordeaux in 2005 with 7 French Caterham owners they approached me to ask if I could have a word with the MD of Catrham about the French Caterham distributor. I've never seen hatred of one person as I did that day. They really hated him because of his attitude towards them once they had paid thier money. Apparantly he is also hated by anyone who buys a second hand car as he believes he's the only one who should import usd cars and creates huge barriers to anyone trying to buy in the UK (from France) Interesting to see he's now Westfields distributor. Quote
CedricTheBrave Posted December 2, 2008 Posted December 2, 2008 Spoke to Gavin in spares at WF the other day and he indicated the european race series was doing really well and keeping them very busy. Quote
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