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Top down in Tiananmen China

Bloomberg's Stephen Engle speaks with Jim James, a Morgan Motor Company roadster owner who's asked the British automaker for permission to market the handbuilt luxury cars in China. Luxury-car sales in China will rise 20 percent this year after surging 48 percent to 459,000 vehicles last year, according to industry researcher JD Power & Associates. (Source: Bloomberg

This looks like a "no brainer" and will probably be so successful it might just change Morgan. Come to think of it haven't they changed already, 3 new models, intensive production of the M3W, publicity everywhere. Pity you can't buy shares.

Just as well you can't buy shares you mean. In my opinion the stock market is too impatient for anything that doesn't provide quick returns. When John Bloor set up the revitalised modern version of Triumph motorcycles he financed it privately for that very reason. In listed companies these days decision making often seems to be made in the short term interest of senior management rather than in the long term interests of shareholders and employees. The obsession is with growth, often at the expense of profitability. Private companies often have a much better record of long term investment. I suspect that with a stock market listing morgan would have gone the same way as many other small manufacturers.

I totally agree with Pandy, I would hate to see VC and MA organisations being directly involved in the long term decision making. The due consideration needed to plan the future of the company cannot be sustained under a short term strategy that they usually drive companies to.

Morgan has a tiny footprint in a market which demands massive resources so the room for error is probably quite small given the limited investment funds etc. Due consideration and the ability to maintain a long term plan is critical in this situation ?

They could still have shareholders but private investment would be better than an IPO or traded package. Private shareholders with a strong understanding of the legacy and values could bring value through their personal values and connections.

They do well with what they have, worthy of a case study in our difficult times.

How about turning it into a documentary to raise money for the company - a Troubleshooter 3 with

1. (Sir) Alan Sugar hosting it, Dermot doing the voice over and the prize of a new singing career.

2. Mary Queen of Shops hosting it, the bloke from Come Dine with Me who does the sarcastic voice over doing his typical hatchet job and a new M3W as the prize. (if she is good enough for government...)

3. Cat Dealy doing the presenting, Prince Charles doing the voice over and talking about the sustainability and green angles within UK industry and a new Arbour as a prize.

I can feel the hairs on the back of neck climb in fear.