[gsharapa]

I myself love Cobras and feel all cars represent the true reason many of us are in this: To feel the power and expression of a true 60s performance car! Some can spend $ 15K and some $ 500K but it's what you like and can afford. I've looked at many and could buy most, but now finishing my 4th and except for my first entry car in 1993, the past 3 have been Superformance. Love the cars, the value and dealers.

Saw this little statement which kind of expresses SPF's take;

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“Mike: What about the recent and sudden influx of other South African replica manufacturers into the US market?


Jim: These small operations have taken note of our success and believe they should get into the same business. I have no problem with that - competition is a fact of business life. We do, however, have a problem when the facts are misrepresented in order to try and gain a competitive edge. You have seen for yourself what our capabilities are. It is, of course, upsetting when others try to create the illusion that their product is equal to ours.

For instance, a recent new Cobra replica contender from SA does not have a manufacturing plant, they have no real technical engineering capabilities in house, and they did not design the vehicle they offer in the US. They purchase locally made kits from Kit Car Centre, assemble them and paint them. The body is a splash of the UK-made DAX from many years ago. The BMW 3 series suspension components they use were never designed for a sports car like the Cobra.


Another manufacturer in Cape Town was started by a friend of mine, to build GT 40 replicas. In the early days we helped them out with advice and parts. Andre sold out and some of his employees decided not to go with the new management. I decided to bring our own GT program forward, and employed those people. That is why I established the satellite plant in Cape Town.


Earlier this year they employed three of our workers who had at that time already left our employ, and had been replaced. Although they had a headhunter offer employment to other senior Hi-Tech employees, none accepted. They can hardly impact on our business, nor can they emulate our performance. As a matter of fact, we build more cars in two days than they build in a month. None of our competitors has the capabilities, infrastructure and capital to compare with us. No other company in this field can provide a comparable product, sell it at the same price that we do through a network of dedicated dealers, offer a comparable level of service, and make a profit. It cannot be done. We can do it because of our infrastructure and our volume. We are able to do just about everything in-house, thereby reducing costs and improving quality and supply. That, and our volumes - now approaching 700 units per year.”

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Something to keep in mind when your putting down a deposit on a car you have not even seen yet!