I'm curious how you envision the long term viability of your business model. What I mean by that is that as I recall Ford saw fit to dump the E-series except (for now?) the CC versions. With no new E-blood entering the consumer market, how long before you run out of potential customers? From a business standpoint I'm not thinking 5 yrs down the road is an issue, but what about 15? Twenty?
MG Metalworks Van Build
- Thread starter mgmetalworks
- Start date
dcguillory
Adventurer
From what we have seen of his method of short term limited production, 5 to 8 years is all that's needed. Then on to the next thing. His business model (from our perspective) is innovation. That can be transferred to anything as long it can be CNCed, lasered, 3D printed, whatever.
mgmetalworks
Explorer
People sure do seem concerned about my business model... you're like the 4th person to ask (though this time publicly). Do y'all ask Ujoint or CCV or Agile the same things? I haven't said what my business model is but I get a handful of folks pointing out the end of the E-series and whatever will I do after that??? I don't post everything about my business in here...just snapshots of my current (van) projects.
The E-series won't be the only platform I develop parts and do build outs for. I am getting ducks in a row to buy a Transit and begin work on some exciting stuff on that platform after the new year. Also, my fabrication background is deeply rooted in street rods, classic trucks and muscle cars. I'd take on a classic car/truck resto-mod project any day of the week.
I'm an engineer and fabricator. I get paid for my skill set...whatever the project may be.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I think he'll do fine... we'll be running these trucks for long enough for him to get his business established. Afterwards he can come up with new products for all the new vehicles that people want to lift, convert, or modify.
My apologies, sincerely. I didn't mean to offend or question your abilities, as those more than speak for themselves, evidenced all through this thread. I was simply curious if you had plans beyond the E-series because I've heard the "what you gonna do" questions more than once myself, and the focus seemed to be on this specific platform.
Again, and as publicly as I asked the initial questions, I'm sorry for stepping out of bounds, though I assure you it was unintentional.
mgmetalworks
Explorer
Dances with Wolves
aka jk240sx
I hope the Transit deal works out. I would be interested. I wanted an E series then wandered over to Sprinters(Too expensive). I've settled on a Transit in the future. I rented one from U-Haul last week to move some stuff and because I wanted to drive one in real world conditions without a yappy salesman riding shotgun. $19.95 plus gas for a good 24 hour test drive has me sold. Get one!
Edit: For E series. Just found out Comcast is selling off their entire national fleet of E series vans. Still scrounging for auction info. They have owned and maintained their entire fleet. They will go to leasing Transits in the future.
Edit: For E series. Just found out Comcast is selling off their entire national fleet of E series vans. Still scrounging for auction info. They have owned and maintained their entire fleet. They will go to leasing Transits in the future.
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thebigblue
Adventurer
MG will do just fine, some of us still buy 20 and 30 years old trucks to renovate and transform into travel-rigs, Steyr 12M18, Unimogs, MB 508/608/, MB Varios, MB 917, 1222, 1017, 1029 and so on. In EU theres dedicated firms for Unimogs (Atlas) and Steyr (Xcap) and they will be around for years....
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Exactly, he's always a source of inspiration. But, the question does have to be asked about the E series vs the Cruisers of Broncos that they build (for big $) Does the E series have the following they do? No way. Nor are there that many people who will drop 100-150k for a bad dude top notch van.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I agree with your points Chris.
That said, I've seen MG's quality of work, and there's always a demand for fine quality work. I'm sure he could build a cruiser, hot rod, muscle car, monster truck... At least as well as the next guy. Johnathan isn't the only guy earning a living off of Cruisers.
I've also seen the work that comes out of Ujoint, and have no concern Chris will be going out of business before he wants to retire... If even then. Skilled fabricators and mechanics are a dying breed, and we need more of them.
That said, I've seen MG's quality of work, and there's always a demand for fine quality work. I'm sure he could build a cruiser, hot rod, muscle car, monster truck... At least as well as the next guy. Johnathan isn't the only guy earning a living off of Cruisers.
I've also seen the work that comes out of Ujoint, and have no concern Chris will be going out of business before he wants to retire... If even then. Skilled fabricators and mechanics are a dying breed, and we need more of them.
SHAFT
Observer
......Yet! I think the more e-vans that are converted and appear around town, passing you on the highway or parked in a campground, the more buzz and demand grows. I've talked to three separate dudes lately, who've had 4wd vans in the past (factory and aftermarket) and all said that they miss the van, should've never sold it, would get another if they had the money etc etc....
Was there a bronco cult straight away? Pretty sure International would've continued making scouts had the demand been the same as today (though i understand the gas crisis prob had something to with scouts getting the eventual axe). ok rant over....
MG is incredibly talented and versatile (i've been to his skunkworks) so he won't be begging at intersections anytime soon.....or Chris for that matter.
sixstringsteve
Explorer
So excited to see the pop tops you come up with. I'm loving your work and innovation.
Backcountry Pursuit
Risk Taker
That's my thoughts on it. This E series/van thing in general is gaining a lot of momentum. Just look at the #vanlife hashtags on pintrest and instagram. I am an avid outdoor adventurer in my mid 30's and I know of more than a few folks my age who have gotten vans and are doing these conversions. And everybody they are friends with wishes they had one. And some of those will eventually get their own. And I will tell every single one of them to reach out to MG. It's not like there is a shortage of these vans out there running around even though Ford stopped making them. Personally, I think this market is going explode and I am jumping on the bandwagon.