I'm going to agree with Pat. It is more likely that you would be able to convince them to add the "lost" features to the current 1003 model than to start making a discontinued model. I personally think that my 2007-2008 Honda Fit is a better car than the 2009-2011 Honda Fits, but I would guess that Honda doesn't agree with me. I certainly don't think that Honda would consider making an older version of the car.
Moving to a much lower volume item, I could say the same about my discontinued MSR Firefly backpacking stove. The newer WhisperLite and SimmerLite models are lighter, simpler, with less manintenance (better for most people) but they aren't as easy to simmer with (SimmerLite seems like a misnomer) When I ruined my old FireFly stove during maintenance (galled threads on an aluminum part) I was told that the factory did not have that replacement part, however they did offer a generous trade-in for one of their newer models. I asked them why they removed my favorite feature from the newer models, they said that is was more difficult (expensive) to make and caused half of the reported problems and repairs with their stoves, so I can understand why they removed the extra metering valve from the design. I bought another used one on ebay, so I still have a working FireFly stove, along with a newer SimmerLite and a few other backpacking stoves.
So the first step would be to identify those "lost" features from the 801. Why do you think that the 801 is practical electric outboard and that the 1003 isn't? If there is something that you liked about the 801 that didn't make it into the 1003, there is a definite reason. Companies hate to alienate existing customers by removing features without good cause.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "greenpjs04" <greenpjs@...> wrote:
>
> Another thing to consider is "why" did they cancel the 801. These days, it is not uncommon for electronic parts to suddenly become unavailable. Usually, there is a chance to place one last order for the part. Manufacturers are then left with the choice of doing a partial redesign with a few newer parts replacing the obsolete ones or dropping the product and starting over. They often choose to start over with all new parts that are just starting their lifespan. Afterall, there is no guarantee that a partial redesign won't use parts that will go "end of life" a month after your update hits the streets.
>
> Anyway, it might be better to lobby them to add the features you want to the new product rather than get them to restart the old one. (Note: I have no inside knowledge of Torqeedo. But I spent many years designing products for mid to low quantity production lines in a different industry.)
>
> Pat
>
>
> --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <sstuller@> wrote:
> >
> > Those of us who think the 801 is a practical electric outboard are frustrated by the cancelling of its' production. So I came up with the idea that an escrow account (managed by Torqeedo) would allow interested buyers to put down a deposit on an 801 and when there were enough orders Torqeedo would have enough motivation to resume production. Does anyone think this idea would have a chance to get off the ground? Thanks. Steve S.
> >
>
No comments:
Post a Comment