Hunting for new manufacturers

ChexOrWrex

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NASCAR ‘aggressively pursuing’ new manufactures

http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/07/10/nascar-aggressively-pursuing-new-manufactures/amp/

NASCAR is in “aggressive conversations” with manufactures to join the sport, Steve O’Donnell told “The Morning Drive’’ on Monday.

“We are aggressively pursuing new (manufacturers),’’ O’Donnell said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio without divulging details. “We want to make sure that they come in similar to how Toyota did and it’s really changed the sport. They’ve done a tremendous job and really helped the industry...
 
“We want to make sure that they come in similar to how Toyota did and it’s really changed the sport. They’ve done a tremendous job and really helped the industry...

Damn straight! Here's the problem....Huge investment/commitment. Driver's Title in 9th year. Manufacturers Title after in 10th year. Who is willing to wait that long for a return on the investment? The worst thing that could happen to this sport is a manufacturer who enters and then quickly exits. Likely, a new guy on the block will have to take its lumps as Toyota has while committing long term to an uncertain future. Tall order. NOTE: ...and I am not even talking about the work Toyota did in the Dash Series and Truck Series before the big jump to Cup and Xfinity. A 17 year commitment already. Wow.
 
nothing could be better for the sport than to have new makes in the mix, IMHO

I agree, but they need to commit long term.....and they need to commit to the "industry" as O'Donnell said. Contrary to what some posters believe....Toyota hasn't really dumped any more money into the competition side of things, but indeed, they have spent a ton on the industry side of things (sponsorship, TV ads, etc.).
 
Damn straight! Here's the problem....Huge investment/commitment. Driver's Title in 9th year. Manufacturers Title after in 10th year. Who is willing to wait that long for a return on the investment? The worst thing that could happen to this sport is a manufacturer who enters and then quickly exits. Likely, a new guy on the block will have to take its lumps as Toyota has while committing long term to an uncertain future. Tall order. NOTE: ...and I am not even talking about the work Toyota did in the Dash Series and Truck Series before the big jump to Cup and Xfinity. A 17 year commitment already. Wow.
Certainly a championship is a huge ROI, but its not the sole ROI. Team owners making the switch to X manufacturer is positively the ROI they are seeking. Competitive performance is a marathon.
 
Certainly a championship is a huge ROI, but its not the sole ROI. Team owners making the switch to X manufacturer is positively the ROI they are seeking. Competitive performance is a marathon.

I agree, but it is a tall order to convince CEO's of automotive companies that it will take time to win. This is a results oriented endeavor. Toyota had it better with Akio Toyoda (an avid enthusiast) as the CEO. Chevy and Ford have had other things to worry about (like staying in business) during Toyota's tenure in NASCAR. Even with Akio, Toyota Racing and TRD have to constantly prove their relevance to Toyota North America. Huge pressure. Many of the money guys don't know Kyle Busch from Kyle Larson IMO, but they do understand Victory Lane celebrations, victory hats, and trophies.
 
Damn straight! Here's the problem....Huge investment/commitment. Driver's Title in 9th year. Manufacturers Title after in 10th year. Who is willing to wait that long for a return on the investment?
Yeah, I don't think Dodge ever did win the manufacturer's title after coming back and didn't win a driver's title until their 12th (and final) season.

I don't really see what the value proposition would be for a prospective manufacturer. Dodge and Toyota came in during NASCAR's boom time, but things are a lot different now. Plus, which teams would switch?
 
Dodge and Nissan would be the only new additions I would want to see. Nothing else makes sense IMO.
Dodge had their championship ans Fiat decided to pull the plug. I hope they are not the first manufacturer to join. Nissan is to small so Hyundai could fit.
 
There has been numerous manufacturers that have entered and left the series over the years. Easier today than ever to build a racing team and cars IF you have a racing series that opens all the doors for you. Andretti was ready to shoot the gap and go with Dodge when Penske dropped out, but Dodge was just bought (again) out and not in good financial shape had second thoughts. But Dodge/Penske proved that a two car team could win a championship if all your ducks are in a row. I suspect that G.M. wasn't that unhappy losing some of the teams they were supporting recently, Ford needed more teams, and Toyota with all of the teams they support in all three series might be feeling a bit bloated now. Time will tell if they lose a team in cup when Kenseth leaves. Visser has made it known that he would like a second Toyota team, time will tell.
 
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I agree with Rev that if another manufacturer jumps in it has to be for the long term as getting in for 3-4 years and leaving hurts a lot of people and wastes a lot of resources. My opinion is that a manufacturer would be extremely leery of pouring millions and millions of dollars into joining Nascar at this juncture due to decreasing interest and a very old fan base. As a manufacturer I have to look at the WIIFM's (what's in it for me) and participating in Nascar doesn't appear to impact sales or dealer traffic and it doesn't create brand awareness as one would need to be living under a rock to not have heard of Nissan or VW. Being able to entertain clients at a Nascar race is going to be a non starter for most people and you don't learn anything that can be used in your production vehicles. I don't see the hook.

I will get be tarred and feathered for this but Nascar should really just issue crate motors that manufacturers can gussy up with their branding as it would make it a lot easier for a new manufacturer to enter the series. Funny cars look about as stock as the car Nascar uses so dropping all pretenses may be a way to stir up interest.
 
Dodge had their championship ans Fiat decided to pull the plug. I hope they are not the first manufacturer to join. Nissan is to small so Hyundai could fit.

Hyundai doesn't make a truck. That's also why I don't want Honda or Audi/VW. I would like to see a new manufacturer participate across the board, which includes a model for the truck series
 
I will get be tarred and feathered for this but Nascar should really just issue crate motors that manufacturers can gussy up with their branding as it would make it a lot easier for a new manufacturer to enter the series.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......;)
 
Not sure in what capacity they're too small, Nissan is the 5th best selling car company in America behind only GM, Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler. As far as too small relating to car size, I think the Altima would probably qualify, if not, the Maxima for sure.
I thought they are 6th behind Honda?
 
Not sure in what capacity they're too small, Nissan is the 5th best selling car company in America behind only GM, Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler. As far as too small relating to car size, I think the Altima would probably qualify, if not, the Maxima for sure.

Out of curiosity, where is Honda on that list? I expected them to be in the top three
 
Plus, which teams would switch?

I think that any of the satellite teams would switch if the manufacturer was willing to take a hit initially. Everybody wants to be the top dog. JGR came to Toyota because Hendrick will always be the top dog at Chevy. Let's remember, however, that Toyota never tried to cherry pick a big team. They preferred to enter with Red Bull and MWR because they didn't want to be perceived as buying the series. They were very, very careful about how they were seen. They took time in Trucks to prove their commitment.
 
I agree, but it is a tall order to convince CEO's of automotive companies that it will take time to win. This is a results oriented endeavor. Toyota had it better with Akio Toyoda (an avid enthusiast) as the CEO. Chevy and Ford have had other things to worry about (like staying in business) during Toyota's tenure in NASCAR. Even with Akio, Toyota Racing and TRD have to constantly prove their relevance to Toyota North America. Huge pressure. Many of the money guys don't know Kyle Busch from Kyle Larson IMO, but they do understand Victory Lane celebrations, victory hats, and trophies.

It is highly unlikely that the CEO of an automotive corp would still be in that position once the brand started to enjoy success either as they come and go.

I look at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and IDK what the naming rights cost but the Nissan name is visible from Interstates and area locales. To me that seems like a better way to get your brand noticed and mentioned as even in the rare occurrence that Nascar highlights are shown on local TV they never mention the manufacturer.
 
It is highly unlikely that the CEO of an automotive corp would still be in that position once the brand started to enjoy success either as they come and go.

I look at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and IDK what the naming rights cost but the Nissan name is visible from Interstates and area locales. To me that seems like a better way to get your brand noticed and mentioned as even in the rare occurrence that Nascar highlights are shown on local TV they never mention the manufacturer.

I agree. As much as I would like to see a new manufacturer enter, I can't imagine why they would.
 
I think that any of the satellite teams would switch if the manufacturer was willing to take a hit initially. Everybody wants to be the top dog. JGR came to Toyota because Hendrick will always be the top dog at Chevy. Let's remember, however, that Toyota never tried to cherry pick a big team. They preferred to enter with Red Bull and MWR because they didn't want to be perceived as buying the series. They were very, very careful about how they were seen. They took time in Trucks to prove their commitment.
B.S.
 
Not sure in what capacity they're too small, Nissan is the 5th best selling car company in America behind only GM, Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler. As far as too small relating to car size, I think the Altima would probably qualify, if not, the Maxima for sure.

If a Fusion or Camry fit an Altima would have to I believe. In reality it is all fantasy anyway when it comes to the exterior of the cars other than decals, IMO.
 
As far as world wide numbers VW has been right up there in the top 3 for quite a while. They don't seem like the Nascar type to me though. Dodge make some bad ass street machines. VW is big in Global Rally though
 
If NASCAR wants to attract more millenials, I think going after Subaru is a smart choice.

grandam-scc-daytona-january-test-2013-35-subaru-road-racing-team-subaru-wrx-sti-andrew-aq.jpg
 
I would be okay if Dodge came back and Honda was brought along as a new entry. I wasnt a fan of Toyota and still not for age old reasons of them not being made here ( that is false I know. I still adhere to the idea, that Chevy and Ford are built exclusively here. call me old fashioned. or an idiot. but Im sticking by it....) but I've gotten used to the fact that they are doing good things by pumping alot of money into the sport as far as sponsorship of tracks and young up/coming drivers. They have passed Ford and Chevy in driver development, when I was watching the Truck race on Thursday night it seemed like every young driver with talent was sporting that Toyota badge on their firesuit. Chevy especially has fallen asleep on driver development and sponsorship of tracks, so while I dont like Toyota they have done some really good things for the sport, they are the leading manufacturer IMO for the sport right now. The interesting question is what teams would jump ship to these new manufactures? I think itd be neat of Ganassi jumped in with Honda while also bringing Andretti Autosport with them, but Ganassi would be the number 1 factory team that the whole Honda initiative is built around. I cant even begin to speculate Dodge, maybe Petty. Some have said RCR but I could never see them leaving Chevy while Richard is alive. I also think new manufacturers would open doors to NASCAR for other teams outside the series such as Michael Shank Racing, and other IMSA or Indy Car teams like Action Express Racing to get involved on the ground floor.
 
thats bad ass.
The WRX is a bad machine.

Although I dont think certain manufactures will enter unless NASCAR alters their templates. The cars now do mock the street cars but really in nose design only. The rest of the body is basically squared off and has lame decals. Crap like tailpipe decals and front grill decals is laughable in other motorsports.
 
If they want to keep with the old fan base GM could bring Buick back in.
 
Foust and Scott Speed are handing everybody their butts driving 4WD VW's in the global rally series
 
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