Give the Aussie Importers a Go

[Component Cars]

Thought we had better chime in here and try to clarify some points.
First, I do appologise to Mudbrick, our site has been under development and we have had a problem with updates not being retained.
Tenrocca, we do have Factory Five Racing's 100% support as their exclusive agent and they will no longer ship direct to Australia.They have invested heavily in our relationship and will only issue the Certificate of Origin through Component Cars Australia. Unfortunately everyone one wants to compare the US price to the Aus price but to make the comparison of the $20k US model and the $39k Aus model is really a bit like apples v oranges. The AUS cars have a unique RHD chassis with engineering modification to assist with local requirements and certified as an Authentic Australian Factory Five Model. We also include some rather "big ticket" items such as a complete rear end and brakes along with several other spec changes.
Personally we believe that our cars are extremely under priced for what they offer but to explain you need to understand the Factory Five Racing(F5R) ethos. The owner of F5R, Mr Dave Smith only imposed 1 condition on our agreement and that was.
"The sale price of the cars was to remain available to the Grassroots Car Guy. The kit price is set and represents what it would cost the average guy to import the kit himself to the equal specification with a minimal charge allowed for the RHD conversion.
We have discussed pricing with many F5R owners in Oz that had imported their kits and all agree that they paid more. I havent done the exercise but I believe our options are priced more than competitively with other local suppliers.
As for our Competitors Products I really dont see that Component Cars is in direct competition with them.
To try and explain (and sorry in adavance to those whom I offend here) I see the local suppliers as "true" Kitcar suppliers where as they sell you a body & chassis at a very low entry level price and provide the blueprints and list of 2nd hand parts required to build the car. Cheap entry level, super expensive end build cost
We supply a Component Car which is a complete car minus Engine,Transmission, wheels, tyres and paint. Our cars are made from all brand new parts utilizing the lastet technology all purposely engineered to go together. You get everything, every nut bolt and rivet and a step by step comprehensive build manual. Higher start cost, much lower total build cost.
We currently have our NSW RMS Accredited Engineer working directly with F5R in the USA ensuring certification to all the latest requirements. On thursday we shipped our first Mk4 to NSW (congrats Tim, Im sure you'll be reading this) and we will all be working very closely with this build.
We're confident that in time the Australian market will embrace the Complete Component Car concept and would welcome any quiries you may have.

[OZCOBRA]

..................

[750hp]

Originally Posted by Component Cars

Thought we had better chime in here and try to clarify some points....
We have discussed pricing with many F5R owners in Oz that had imported their kits and all agree that they paid more. I havent done the exercise but I believe our options are priced more than competitively with other local suppliers.
As for our Competitors Products I really dont see that Component Cars is in direct competition with them.
To try and explain (and sorry in adavance to those whom I offend here) I see the local suppliers as "true" Kitcar suppliers where as they sell you a body & chassis at a very low entry level price and provide the blueprints and list of 2nd hand parts required to build the car. Cheap entry level, super expensive end build cost.

I'm sure some local manufacturers might wish to disagree with your broad summary, but either way I wish you well and I hope you spend some time on ClubCobra assisting all current and potential Cobra owners rather than only coming to the forum with a pure sales agenda.
Cheers,

[OZCOBRA]

...........................

[400TT]

OZCOBRA, I aksed 750HP to remove what he posted about our products. Our new kits are not production ready yet, so I did not want it mentioned in comparison. We do not off turnkey minus, just kits in different levels much like FFR. Our product and pricing will be VERY competitive and our current listed prices will only get get more competitive. This is not the time or place to talk about our products.

As a general comment about the topic of this thread, times have changed and it is a global marketplace now and I think the big winner out of this is the Australian Cobra enthusiast.

Cobra enthusiasts shop worldwide to find the right products at the right price.

The landscape has changed and there is a whole new level of competition and variety of both kits and parts available now and much more that will be available in the future.

Registration requirements are becoming more complex.

A lot of local suppliers are struggling, a lot have downsized or moved into other areas to survive.

It's a challenging business environment. For the kit car market you need to look at new approaches, techniques & ideas for both the way the business runs and the products it creates.

[Component Cars]

Originally Posted by 400TT

OZCOBRA, I aksed 750HP to remove what he posted about our products. Our new kits are not production ready yet, so I did not want it mentioned in comparison. We do not off turnkey minus, just kits in different levels much like FFR. Our product and pricing will be VERY competitive and our current listed prices will only get get more competitive. This is not the time or place to talk about our products.

As a general comment about the topic of this thread, times have changed and it is a global marketplace now and I think the big winner out of this is the Australian Cobra enthusiast.

Cobra enthusiasts shop worldwide to find the right products at the right price.

The landscape has changed and there is a whole new level of competition and variety of both kits and parts available now and much more that will be available in the future.

Registration requirements are becoming more complex.

A lot of local suppliers are struggling, a lot have downsized or moved into other areas to survive.

It's a challenging business environment. For the kit car market you need to look at new approaches, techniques & ideas for both the way the business runs and the products it creates.

Craig I couldnt agree with you more.
Seems people are pretty quick to go the jugular round here but I believe we have a common vision as to where the suppliers could possibly better help the most import people in the chain, the customer. We have met once and you seem like a top fella. Really like what your doing up there and with the fresh start I guess we have a couple of things in common.
Guess we can either be brothers in or at arms, seems you have a couple of friends who would prefer the later.

750....thanks for the warm welcome.lol

ozcobra.. you too. to write what you did, then delete it, then replace it with an applause.. what is that...brown you off in a previous life also did I.

[Beejay]

Originally Posted by Component Cars

Thought we had better chime in here and try to clarify some points.
First, I do appologise to Mudbrick, our site has been under development and we have had a problem with updates not being retained.
Tenrocca, we do have Factory Five Racing's 100% support as their exclusive agent and they will no longer ship direct to Australia.They have invested heavily in our relationship and will only issue the Certificate of Origin through Component Cars Australia. Unfortunately everyone one wants to compare the US price to the Aus price but to make the comparison of the $20k US model and the $39k Aus model is really a bit like apples v oranges. The AUS cars have a unique RHD chassis with engineering modification to assist with local requirements and certified as an Authentic Australian Factory Five Model. We also include some rather "big ticket" items such as a complete rear end and brakes along with several other spec changes.
Personally we believe that our cars are extremely under priced for what they offer but to explain you need to understand the Factory Five Racing(F5R) ethos. The owner of F5R, Mr Dave Smith only imposed 1 condition on our agreement and that was.
"The sale price of the cars was to remain available to the Grassroots Car Guy. The kit price is set and represents what it would cost the average guy to import the kit himself to the equal specification with a minimal charge allowed for the RHD conversion.
We have discussed pricing with many F5R owners in Oz that had imported their kits and all agree that they paid more. I havent done the exercise but I believe our options are priced more than competitively with other local suppliers.
As for our Competitors Products I really dont see that Component Cars is in direct competition with them.
To try and explain (and sorry in adavance to those whom I offend here) I see the local suppliers as "true" Kitcar suppliers where as they sell you a body & chassis at a very low entry level price and provide the blueprints and list of 2nd hand parts required to build the car. Cheap entry level, super expensive end build cost
We supply a Component Car which is a complete car minus Engine,Transmission, wheels, tyres and paint. Our cars are made from all brand new parts utilizing the lastet technology all purposely engineered to go together. You get everything, every nut bolt and rivet and a step by step comprehensive build manual. Higher start cost, much lower total build cost.
We currently have our NSW RMS Accredited Engineer working directly with F5R in the USA ensuring certification to all the latest requirements. On thursday we shipped our first Mk4 to NSW (congrats Tim, Im sure you'll be reading this) and we will all be working very closely with this build.
We're confident that in time the Australian market will embrace the Complete Component Car concept and would welcome any quiries you may have.

I think this summary is misleading.

Does the FFR kit include-
wiring?
seats?

Ben

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by Beejay

I think this summary is misleading.

Does the FFR kit include-
wiring?
seats?

Ben

Misleading???? How do you figure?

Yes its got a complete wiring harness and seats.
It also has
Authentic 427 Hand Laid 3/16" laminate composite body
6061-T6 Aluminum panel construction (Not a cheap body plug)
Koni fully Adjustable front a rear suspension.
Complete front and back Ford Mustang disc brakes
Complete Steering System
Complete Fuel System
Complete Cooling System
Complete exhaust System
Engine Accessories
Gauges, Dash & Complete Electrical system
Complete Interior
Exterior fnishing Accessories and Lighting
Complete 'Wllwood' pedal box
Complete fastner kit.
200 Page Build manual also available in full colour PDF version.

[Beejay]

Originally Posted by Zeus

Misleading???? How do you figure?

Yes its got a complete wiring harness and seats.
It also has
Authentic 427 Hand Laid 3/16" laminate composite body
6061-T6 Aluminum panel construction (Not a cheap body plug)
Koni fully Adjustable front a rear suspension.
Complete front and back Ford Mustang disc brakes
Complete Steering System
Complete Fuel System
Complete Cooling System
Complete exhaust System
Engine Accessories
Gauges, Dash & Complete Electrical system
Complete Interior
Exterior fnishing Accessories and Lighting
Complete 'Wllwood' pedal box
Complete fastner kit.
200 Page Build manual also available in full colour PDF version.

Lots of good stuff included there no doubt. CR can supply most of not all of these parts too. Personally I think researching and buying those bits for the best price is half the fun of the build.

Tell me, are the seats fully Euro IV and ADR compliant?
Are the brakes compliant in NSW including dust seals on the calipers?
If I wanted to drop in an LS3 for NSW rego would the wiring, cooling systems and power steering all be ok to use?

Like I said, I am not bagging the product, I just think the costs are misrepresented in this thread.

Ben