Every Morgan model has "Quirks", and the CX models are still revealing their "Quirks".
Agreed. I believe, whether restored or new, Morgans take two years to fully "sort". Though those involved even before I was tell me they could be confident their Morgans were solid for years after purchase. The car industry, even after extensive testing, considers the 5000 of any model, "beta" cars.
Originally Posted by DaveW
Morgan has had supply issues with spares as long as I've been involved, which is not that long. Trying to get the parts to add over-riders to my 2012 Plus 4 in 2013, when that model was still in production took WEEKS. I think MMC are reluctant to supply parts which are needed for production.
Your comment above is very astute...almost prescient. The following is from memory as I stopped tracking the MMC as closely after I ended eMog and the companies wholesale reorganization, both occurring in 2011.
As background, when I began with Morgans, one could get ANY part from the MMC by return mail and at a price cheaper than one could find from any other source. I could never figure out why some non-Brits would buy odd second class bitsa replacement parts when the originals were cheaper from Morgan!
But the Aero development brought on very tough times. PM lost control and then passed. The MMC decided to divide Parts procurement and their inventorying into two separate substructures, under different accounting and control. The Service Department was also separately spun off. The Production Department was given a priority on everything, creating the MMC you describe. The former Parts and Service departments also became responsible for warranty work, which is a break from the normal automobile manufacturer systems where warranty is normally a charge against production. In an instantly, the old Parts and Service became, on the books, HUGE losers, and Production became the darling. Parts and Service prices skyrocketed and the delay to receive parts became infamous.
To understand, you would have to examine how the bonus structure for management worked.
Well that's an interesting insight. Is it still the case or has someone in charge resolved this.
Sorry Alistair. I no longer have any current insider contacts any more. I let them lapse after 2011. Aside from what is posted publicly (Companies House) and an old familiarity with America's Carlyle Group, the big daddy associated with InvestIndustrial, the current MMC owner through a UK holding company.
However, I have been puzzled as the Morgan company's purchase is/was VERY much smaller than these mega-giants would normally deal with. And the opulent financing after purchase seemed done in a casual here-go-play-with-this manner, though that was a joy to hear of.
However, it may all be falling into place. The leading light of II is a former New Yorker by the name of Andrea Bonomi. He also turns out to be the team leader/owner of the two brilliantly prepared older Plus 8 entries in the East African Rally thread recently. The other Bonomi driver, Carlo, is likely his brother. It appears they are lusty moggie car nuts like we are, saving that THEY can get anything from Pickersleigh Road they wish for. So far, aside from ending the trads and the first M3W, along with having the MMC decision makers resign/retire, the habits of the previous regime have been kept, namely the habits DaveW speaks to. Bonomi has replaced them with appointees CEO Massimo Fumarola, formerly Chief Project Manager Lamborghini (2.3 billion$), and Thomas Kiesele, formerly President of Aston Martin Lagonda (3.2 billion$) and ex-Head of Ferrari (6.3 billion) Sales. Curious choices for a company with sales of 41 million.
I have a huge soft spot for crazy Morgan enthusiasts so I am now completely predisposed to liking the Bonomis. As to what they and this quality of management fellows are doing at the new MMC is a mystery. But automobiling is a passion no one is immune to.They can certainly afford to go back to the old traditions I encountered prior to DaveW's experience. But they are not exactly trained in the PM style of running a business. Who is any more?!! And if the previous regime's internal divisions are still the same, the figures they see won't give them the real story any more than it did the Morgan family shareholders. However, any industry person will tell you there is much higher profit margins in parts supply and service than car production. And those in charge of those departments at the MMC are brilliant.
Jumping slightly sideways, which is always permitted on TM......Inchcape, the Jaguar & Land Rover Dealer in Deby was flooded out during the last big deluge, to a depth of around four feet. Every vehicle on site was affected, and there were significant numbers of EV Jags there for repair.
This guy has an amusing take on the fall out, where nobody wants to pay out. He's also anti EV which may irritate some of you but which I find amusing.
[video:youtube][/video]
DaveW '05 Red Roadster S1 '16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
Stock holding costs money. Stock in excess of production numbers means buying more from suppliers. There are stock holding costs where the money to physically store them ( buildings, staff, insurance value, to name some). Money that might be deemed “dead” money by some in the company. There are arguments to be made that it isn’t really dead money as it can give benefits in customer satisfaction, good customer care and feedback. Keeping the company reputation high. Bean counters ( accountants with ££££ signs and tunnel vision) often have higher sway over engineers, marketeers, sales, customer relations. A balance is a good idea. Engineer...I want to use aerospace grade bolts to save weight. Accountant ...too expensive for normal cars but come back to ask if a weight sensitive car is being built ( One-off as SP1?). A good decision. Usually. “Customer car repairs are causing cars off road for months. We need stocks to keep customers on board.” How can it be managed/funded? Take a one off hit to build a manageable stock that can be kept stable. Get suppliers to hold some stock that can be called on. Allow suppliers to sell direct ( free to them or get a percentage/unit cost for each sale). All these are used in various forms already. I remember when in Uni doing stock management. We were doing manual modelling of various options and then writing programs to do them. It included modelling different scenarios to evaluate costs, effect on production, after market, company profile and customer perception/satisfaction, then deciding on a model to adopt. Also make the system adaptable to changes. Include multiple supplier options to avoid shortages. Preferred suppliers etc. Adopt a partnership mentality with suppliers. My car is currently at a dealer and needs a replacement loom section. How long before I get it back? This isn’t a recall as with brakes/ cooling system, just a simple ( in theory) repair. From my side as a customer it shouldn’t be a silly delay. It’s a new car not an old one so supplies should be ok. How long before I get annoyed?
Re DaveW’s post about JLR dealership flood. There’s topic on Pistonheads about it. The core appears to be around insurance. Which insurer picks up the cost? JLR/Dealership/individual car owners insurer ? A significant influence being touted is negligence. Failure to act on flood warnings forming the dealer liability part. Then the chain effect of multiple insurance companies having to pay out, chase others for costs post payment... Your car was affected? Claim on your insurance. Let them deal with your car then they might pursue the other parties to reclaim their payout. Chase the dealership and their insurer. Lots of the usual rubbish being spouted and good inside knowledge coming through.
Its not only morgan.a few years back I had a fairly new BMW touring, one frosty morning the tailgate glass desided to explode. When I tried to get a replacement I was told they were not stocked in the UK. I had to drive for about a month with a sheet of plastic taped over the back. Worst car I've ever bought.
.+8 Now gone for a 1800 4/4. Duratec in bright yellow.
A couple of years ago my i3 had a faulty pyro device in the main loom from the battery that physically cuts the cable in the event of a crash, dealer had never had same fault on another car, call to Germany VOR, please help...just 3 days later new loom arrived, which must have been plucked from production line JIT supply
So, it can be done if the supply chain is willing to respond !
It's a small world a Morganeer mate of mine live's down the road from Sospan and Ray he had a bit of a bump in his Dacia about six months ago and was given a courtesy car from the local dealer, he has only just given the car back been waiting 5 months for a headlight unit the car was fixed and waiting for the light in a matter of weeks. You would think a main dealer would keep a couple of headlights in stock but if Dacia themselves don't have any the blame must lie with them. Em
So far, aside from ending the trads and the first M3W, along with having the MMC decision makers resign/retire, the habits of the previous regime have been kept, namely the habits DaveW speaks to. Bonomi has replaced them with appointees CEO Massimo Fumarola, formerly Chief Project Manager Lamborghini (2.3 billion$), and Thomas Kiesele, formerly President of Aston Martin Lagonda (3.2 billion$) and ex-Head of Ferrari (6.3 billion) Sales. Curious choices for a company with sales of 41 million. 
As to what they and this quality of management fellows are doing at the new MMC is a mystery. But automobiling is a passion no one is immune to.They can certainly afford to go back to the old traditions I encountered prior to DaveW's experience. But they are not exactly trained in the PM style of running a business. Who is any more?!! And if the previous regime's internal divisions are still the same, the figures they see won't give them the real story any more than it did the Morgan family shareholders. However, any industry person will tell you there is much higher profit margins in parts supply and service than car production. And those in charge of those departments at the MMC are brilliant.
