As I write, the Vectrix Board of Directors are meeting to decide the final chapter of Vectrix. from my understanding, the board is debating one of two alternatives;
1) Declare Chapter 11 and recommend that the assets be sold to one of three contenders, the preferred candidate to be E-Max, which would see the IP and manufacturing base moved to china.
2) Refer the decision to a specially convened shareholders meeting.
After so many false starts and rumours, it will be good to see a decision at last.
yeah...right...i'm also expecting a fast decision...
When you know something new, post here please!
Any news?
I don't know for sure, but I believe Vectrix will annouce Chapter 11, with the preferred buyer, being the Chinese based Emax syndicate sponsered by the current CEO, Mike Boyle.
This will see the end of the Polish factory.
Since this move will be highly unpopular with the majority of shareholders and some creditors, I would expect a good deal of legal drama in the court room come filing day!!!
There is already accusations(usually followed by writs) of lack of fair play and corruption in the bidding process, and a lack of transparency and dishonest conflicts of interest in the entire process of the conduct of the directors.
This is all a shame, because this will relect badly on the future of the EV acceptance.
marcopolo
This is better than Dallas! Where's JR and Bobby when you need 'em?
Any idea when an announcement will be made?
p.s. sorry for the Dallas joke - I know this is serious stuff but I can't help imagining the board meeting and the writs etc.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
Chinese businesses are as honest as the day is long, and any accusations against Mike Boyle are clearly a slur on his good character! :D
Very true, and certainly not his fault if the day in question, just happens to fall on an full solar eclipse?
marcopolo
Did you know that Solar Eclipses are more likely to fall on the day of the Full Moon than any other day of the month? (two points if you can explain why)
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
Actually, solar eclipses can only occur at the moment of a New Moon. Lunar eclipses must happen on the Full Moon. The phase of the moon is a function of the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun, and they all have to be in a near perfect line for an eclipse to happen.
My electric vehicle: CuMoCo C130 scooter.
Solar eclipses??? Quite interesting... BUt in my opinion this has no direct relation with this treath... I do declare that any new knowledge about the future of Vectrix is quite important... May it be possible to stay on topic??
Sadly, not really! The whole Vectrix saga has got completely out of hand!But to be serious, the various Vectrix factions are about to move into the twilight world of legal proceedings. For a while it looked like Mike Boyle's Emax consortium had the front running but then another bidder from the former founders seems to be gathering credence, not the least because the other factions may find anything better than Boyle's crew. Nonetheless, Boyle and CO. are putting up a helluva fight (its a pity they couldn't have found that energy to run the company properly). Well anyway, we must wait and see!
marcopolo
It's of stellar importance and eclipses everything else...So keep the lunatics out of the thread! ROTFLMAO!!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Latest rumour!
The second, third and forth bidders are attempting form a coalition with the major shareholders to resist Mike Boyle and Emax's bid. An attempt to hold an EGM, probably to oust the board and prevent filing for chapter 11, was thwarted by the CEO and current board. This should greatly increase the threats and counter threats of lawsuits from the various parties!(no doubt much to the lawyers delight).
It is amazing, if this much tenacity had been displayed when Vectrix was operating, Vectrix may still be in business?
marcopolo
Too many bidders, acording to your posts marcopolo... Sure there is plenty of interest in vectrix; the product still has a great potential. How different was vectrix's future a month ago, when it was utterly impossible to point out anybody interested in vectrix... Vectrix deserves the best bidder. Let's cross the fingers...
Any news on the Vectrix future ?
Mario
Yes, I too hope that the right bidder(s)is successful. it would appear that it is the old story, nobody wants something until somebody wants it, then everyone wants it!
Still, it must be remembered that not all the bidders would continue to make the VX1, some just wants the IP and sales network, others just the IP. Only one would continue to produce in Poland, and continue to produce and improve the VX 1.
But like you, I hope for the best! If the bike had better (and cheaper) battery technology, it may still have a future.
marcopolo
Who is it? This is my favorite. The bike has potential and with a few changes (well identified by now) could be almost perfect.
Maybe that is not the objective?
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Gee, just what happened at the end of the 19th century. Let me guess, Finally the Hydrogen car is going to win?
Yep, it's really time we got rid of all those steam cars! Stanley's dominated the market far too long!
marcopolo
Marcopolo, I'm starting to get a little tired of your game of smoke and mirrors. Where do you get all these information?
You've been sending confusing information for some months. The only logical explanation is that you are directly involved in the bidding...
Smoke and mirrors? Confusing information? I think you confuse the commentator, with participants. If you find the situation confusing, it's not my fault! I have no control over the events. You are correct, the conduct of the Vectrix board is pretty bizarre, but then most companies in crisis are confusing and circumstances continually change. I have no 'secret' information, perhaps I am more more experienced, and I undertake more research into corporate failures, but I have no inside 'deep throat' source. It is not so very hard, with a little research and analysis you can gain a fairly accurate assessment of developments.
I have no influence on the ultimate outcome, and I really don't think the bidders would be influenced by what's published here!
As a Vectrix fleet owner, I do have a vested interest in the disposal of Vectrix.
If I were a bidder, I would hardly be publish information in a public forum!
marcopolo
Nice smoke&mirroring. I do declare you're pretty good at this, this does not need any further comment.
If you don't, when you write:
And
And so on, how is that possible?? it's just that:
So it's your experience that gives wings to your imagination and let you invent everything?
Where do you get all this information? Come on!
Marcopolo, you say you are more experienced.
I think that you have more information than others, but not more experience. As far as its gone, if you had more experience you wouldnt have done big mistakes.
Mistake 1 : You threw yourself to VUK's neck saying they were a fraud etc.. etc.. and here they are, alive and very very helpful, this is a good injection of faith for all Vectrix owners.
Mistake 2 : When i said that the Vectrix failed because of some type of conspiracy-negative interests-bribes (like in all buissness) which i have experience in (not the bribing but the buissness), you said it was bullshit and that Vectrix failed because of bad management!! Come on i told you that Mr. Boyle has a degree has gone to universities and has been in other companies and they chose him for something!! Because he must have had some contrasted successes. You said it all goes down to bad management.
Mistake 3 : When i told you that companies would be fighting over Vectrix, specially chinese ones, you said it was impossible, no one was interested. When i went to china i was astonished with the EV scooter market and how popular and advanced in terms of design,models and availability.Offcourse all this in the cheap, low tech segment. So it is very simple to know what would be their next step in EV scooter market ; The EV MaxiScooter market!! , Imagine if they could get hold of Vectrix four a few Dollars!! They would give a giant leap and be Nº1 from the go, with a Vectrix (or something close to it) at some reasonable price for them (also at their quality).
So whatever happens with Vectrix, lets just try to be possitive and wait. Its always better than being negative and waiting.
Another mistake you made was saying that i was not being realistic, as you can see by the facts that you yourself have posted, i was being totally realistic.
Finally one more thing, if Vectrix survives, whoever takes over it, the first thing that will happen is they will start selling their Li-ion battery pack upgrade (which had been hidden away until things cleared or Mr. Boyles plan with Emax succeded). And maybe also a gasoline range extender, which im sure they have developed and have ready. These 2 will not only give them some instant sales with actual owners, but also amplify their range of clients for new bikes with a better range or an extended range.
Im only being realistic.
RaDy
No he didn't say VUK was a fraud. He said that if they were representing themselves as a part of the Vectrix Corporation then continuing to operate seemed to be at odds with the actions of the corporation and it could be interpreted that the corporation was acting fraudulently.
Two unrelated things here:
(1) You say you think Vectrix failed because of a "conspiracy" vs. Marcopolo says he thinks Vectrix failed because of "bad management". I go with the "bad management" theory personally.
(2) You say Mr. Boyle must have some good attributes. Yes, you're probably right. "Bad management" can imply many, many different problems - pricing, expansion plans, dealership relations, inter-company relations etc. etc. I've no experience of Mr. Boyle and I suspect marcopolo's assessment may be somewhat harsh. However, Mr. Boyle is the CEO and the buck stops with him - so whatever ills befell Vectrix he is responsible for negotiating around them. Sound harsh or unfair? That's the supposed reason why CEOs get paid the big bucks. So, Boyle's to blame regardless of prior track record and diplomas on his wall.
A couple of things mixed in here:
(1) I agree that marcopolo said no-one would be interested and I think you've "got" him on that one. But that's OK - he's allowed to be wrong. marcopolo - any comment on your initial analysis of no one is interested to today's lots of people interested.
(2) You seem to relate the chinese market for EV scooters vs. the chinese interest in Vectrix. I don't think the two are particularly related - very different markets. So IMO it seems like it's a question of "who wants to expand into expensive, high-quality EV scooters" or "who wants to lock up the IP" or "who wants to try and turn a quick profit by buying the rights and splitting up and selling on". I don't think it's got much to do with "who already builds electric scooters".
I think you mean "let's be positive about the future of Vectrix"? Rather than the more general "let's be positive". It's hard to enthuse people to be positive by making a negative post pointing out your supposed "right answers" vs. marcopolos supposed "wrong answers" and describing them as mistakes.
I missed a few steps in your logic here. How did you get from "the facts posted by marcopolo" to "everything posted by RaDy was realistic"? Seriously, this may sound like a jibe but I'm interested in knowing what specific things you're talking about.
No, you're not being realistic you're simply making a couple of really big guesses and a lot of really big assumptions. If the folks who acquire Vectrix are interested in selling VX-1's and VX-2's I agree that Lithium is the way to go. I've no idea of the battery pack upgrade is ready - I've seen no evidence that it's sitting on a shelf ready to use. Part of the Vectrix problem was that it seems to have been incredibly difficult for them to go from Nickle to Lithium - why else would they have had to spend $5MM on this so far?
I strongly doubt they'll ever do a gasoline based range extender. In case the new owner's are reading... IMNSHO that would be a really bad idea!
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
I am being realistic if i was the company CEO and i wanted to make a buissness. First i would spend millions of the shareholders money in developing all types of li-ion batteries, range extenders, new software etc.. etc.. then i would try to sink the company by managing it like Mr.Boyle and finally i would assosiate myself to a Chinese Ev manufacturer with expertise and with cheap manufacturing prices and buy off Vectrix at a few Dollars!!!!!
Its being realistic as a buissness point of view
RADY
I believe I said no-one would be interested, in the context of, No seriously funded 'white knight' is interested in rescuing Vectrix and continuing the existing business (model). This has proved to be correct. The current bidders are mostly interested in the IP. Only one bidder appears to be interested in continuing the VX1 and European manufacture, (no 'secret' info, in fact posted by another reader,)and that bid comes from a consortium led by the original founders. How serious this is, and how successful has yet to be seen. One thing has changed since I originally posted, the value of Vectrix assets, which have been dramatically deteriorating.This fact may elicit other less funded bidders.
The EMax bid may have stalled because of all the threats of litigation between the parties. Chinese companies generally hate to be embroiled in protracted and potentially scandalous lawsuits. Again, that is just speculation.
I still maintain that no serious "white knight' has come forward capable of continuing the high volume manufacture required to resurrect Vectrix, and no-one is interested.
It is interesting to note that Rady, is the sole remaining defender of the "wait one week and all will be revealed brigade" now even he seems to accept the inevitable, but believes it to all be a plot by M Boyle.
I not sure how to reply to your long, confusing, contradictory post. You seem to be saying that Mike Boyle must be a capable and able CEO because he went to University, therefore Vectrix must have failed because he meant it to fail, so he must be a cunning crook? Well, sadly, just going to Uni, doesn't prevent you from being an incompetent CEO, but it doesn't make you a crook either! (well not necessarily!).
I am not sure what evidence you have to accuse Mr Boyle of malfeasance, But after reading what you would do if placed in charge of a public company with hundreds of millions of dollars, I am very glad that you've not had the chance!
Do you really think that if we all pretended that nothing was wrong with Vectrix, it would have just miraculously fixed itself? What is so hard to understand? Vectrix has gone from being a Publicly Listed, $400 million, manufacturer with an Industry leading product, and world-wide distribution network, to an insolvent, moribund organisation seeming only to exist in its board room, lawyers, and a couple of quixotic tech guy's operating from a shed in the UK. Both factories have ceased to operate, and the thousands of warranty problems will never be solved, just wiped away by US bankruptcy law.
Exactly where is that analysis is inaccurate?
I guess its hard for you to understand, but the Chinese do not want a high quality, high priced scooter! They simply don't have a market. Those who can buy scooters want them very cheap, those who could afford Vectrix buy a car! If china thought there was a market, they don't need to buy Vectrix, China is the land of copying!
But the fact that neither Japan, Korea, or even Taiwan has shown any interest should indicate something. The natural home for Vectrix was BMW or Harley-Davidson, both of whom passed.
But you are right about one thing, I was very alarmed at the concept of VUK continuing to sell Vectrix to an unsuspecting buyers without informing them of the companies pending bankruptcy, and that there maybe no warranty and no spare parts! If I scared them away, then I believe that is a very good thing!
marcopolo
Thanks Rady, for outlining some of the "confusing" informations from Mr Marcopolo. It's seems to me endlessly pointless to carry on discussing all these issues here, I suggest it's better to wait for any official announcements, and stop making all sort of speculations, except for one:
Yeah, nice smoky shot, but when you say:
Whow! that posted by another reader also??? Would you mind outlining the exact place where you read all this kind of news?? I'll be very grateful...
Thanks for the clarification - it makes sense to me. Purchasing Vectrix IP would be great for a fledgling company like mine - but, trouble is, even at the "discount price" we can't afford it and we can't afford the distraction of potential lawsuits.
Off topic: I wonder how the VX-1 would really fare with a 5kWh LiFe pack. Of course it's easy to say "it would succeed" - but would it really?
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
John, is the 5kWh Life pack, cheaper? One of the big killers for the VX1 was the huge price of the battery, caused by the nickel boom. The other limiting factor was the relatively complicated battery operation, while you guys may love to potter with best battery maintenance procedure the average punter can't be bothered!Would a different battery be more idiot proof?
marcopolo
OK, ENOUGH about who is right vs who is wrong! WHAT if anything is actually HAPPENING?? And YES, a 5kWH (or better)Lithium battery pack WOULD be a very welcome improvement! Also desirable would be a "charge select" feature, to allow slower charging from circuits with limited capacity-perhaps only 5 or 6 amps from the 100-130 volt A.C. line, as well as a FAST mode, for use with 200-260 volt, high current A.C. service!-Bob
Robert M. Curry
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