Let Battle Commence
I stole the text from our American brother forum, BenzWorld, where a Mike G. had kindly typed it for everybody to read:
For 60 years it has carried British Troops into action around the world, from the Falklands to Sierra Leone and from Northern Ireland to Iraq.
But now the trusty Land Rover is heading into the biggest battle yet with the Ministry of Defense eyeing up a Mercedes off-road vehicle to replace its entire fleet of the British workhorse.
Military leaders say the German rival has edged ahead in the race (or the latest lucrative
contract, impressing Britain's top bosses with its load-carrying capability and performance over rugged terrain. If Mercedes-Benz clinches the deal worth an estimated £50 million, Land Rover's links with the British Forces could be over for good.
It's vehicle has had a fine military career. The Army bought the first Land Rovers in 1949 and today maintains the world's largest fleet of 15,000, which act as everything from battle ambulances to mobile command posts, missile platforms or Special Forces long-range desert raiders(?).
The SAS drops stripped-down versions armed with machine guns deep behind enemy lines. Others are adapted for Arctic conditions or fitted with "snorkels" so they can drive through water.
But under the MoD's Operational Utility Vehicle System project, the entire military fleet will be replaced from 2009.
Officials insist a final decision has not been made, but a spokesman said, "We are looking at all the options. Alot of factors will come into play, including cost and budgets."
Unlike the land rover, the Mercedes-Benz G-wagon was designed specifically for the military and is favored by France, Germany, and dozens of other countries.
Adding heavy modern armour and other equiptment to Land Rovers can severely limit their carrying power over rough ground. It means the G-Wagon's cargo capacity of two tonnes is twice the capacity of Land ROver Defenders. Lastnight Land Rover, now owned by the U.S. giant, Ford, but with a plant in Solihull in the West Midlands, was putting a brave face on the challenge.
A spokesman said: 'Our last major delivery was in 1993. We are still selling 30,000 Land Rovers every year, so it's fair to say that the outcome of the deal is not a threat to our plant in Solihull.
Technically if the G-Wagon does win the deal, it will not be the first time that the British Army has used it. When British forces liberated the Faulkland Islands in 1982, they "inherited" dozens of G-Wagons abandoned by the Argentines.
But the Argentinian government had never paid for them, and the MoD would not pay, so Mercedes refused to supply spares and the vehicles fell into disrepair.
This is excellent news for the GWagen.... not so good for Solihull. Land Rover already lost a contract to SDP to supply medium trucks to the British Army and thus making this one the biggest customer for the Pinzgauer..... thus eventually finding its way to be made exclusively in the UK.
What if the G-Wagen wins the bid..... will it end up being made at the Automotive Technik factory in Guildford? Not bad a proposition for me..... I live 15 miles away!
Good for the G, shame for LR, stil there owned by Ford now, so tuff..
Just wondering when the news is gonna appear over at the difflock forums :twisted: :lol:
it was only a matter of time, when Howard green and myself went to visit automotive technik they were already importing the G under the puch badge, for obvious reasons, they had the know how to push it into the military. But merc uk put a stop to it. If they can produce the Pinz in the uk then why not the G, more jobs for us. Anyway lets face it the g is far superior to the landrover and was back in the late 70's.
the best newns
we will end up with loads of g parts trucks
thats if it happens?
peter
It will happen, its only a matter of time! if Graz is finishing in Dec 2006, because of Brussels and the end cap crash tests I bet that Toscalossa will continue to produce the G for the US market and UK MOD.
Nothing new. I refer you to my pictures of the fleet of Gs I had at BRIXMIS from the mid 80s.
2nd point how much of Daimler Crysler Benz do you think Ford owns. Where is the M class built?
3rd point, it is already planned to discontinue the defender range and turn production over to higher added value civilian vehicles.
4th All uk military vehicles are to be supplied on a lease basis through Ryder Truck rentals the first LaFranch tank transporters have been delivered.
All the current DAFs are leased DAF is owned by Ford.
Get into military vehicle maintenance contracts if you want to get rich because thats the way it will go.
Bill Moss
Get into military vehicle maintenance contracts if you want to get rich because thats the way it will go.
Perhaps they could get Jarvis to do it. They are at a loose end after Rail Track......outsourcing what a wonderful model!!!!
Don't get me going. the perfect example of a Pheonix.
Surely you are talking about "Network Rail"...Or does it go by a different name this month?
Network rail plays with the trains. Rail track plays with the track. it used to be all one. British Railways. but that was to simple. and didnt make enough money for a number of individuals.
I was referring to Rail Track.
Procurement process probably went along the lines of:
Q. What do you know about railways?
A. Nothing but we’re cheap.
Q. Are there any hidden costs?
A. No. We’re cheap.
Q. You do realize we will have penalty clauses if you don’t perform.
A. Oh we’re REALLY scared now. (not)
Result. Railtrack consultants walk away with barrow loads of cash. Ditto. Contractors consultants. Ditto contactors Directors. Ditto Railtrack Directors and no work actually gets done apart from a bunch of people figuring out how to screw the customer and the customer trying to figure out who messed up the legal stuff.
So referring to original thread just replace Railway with Army fleet maintenance, or just about anything you feel like.
PS. Have no attachment to any of the above, just very cynical.
A long way from G Chat but my experience with these and other similar contractors is they never actualy get to do the work, thats ussualy left to gangs of labourers recruited by people like Sky Blue "Carillion" aka "Tarmac" aka "URS"aka "Atkins" aka "Carillion Joint Venture"aka"Carillion Rail"
there was an article in 4x4 magazine hinting at this, lots of very nice pictures of the gs in all there different guises and they were awsome according to the army bod test driving them, the mighty unimog was also on show and very nice they are too. :)
WHICH OF THE 4X4 MAGAZINES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY HANDS ON A COPY AND I AM SURE ONE OR TWO OTHERS WOULD TOO!
Hi david
That is the actual name of the magazine ( 4x4 magazine)it's the october issue i think. will check and make sure whe i get home.
mahoney .
Hi david
yes it was the october issue and your in luck, i have an extra copy of the mag in question so if you want it drop me a private post and i will post it to you.
regards
mahoney
Hi Mahoney,
Please organise that for me and let me know the cost?
You`re a star!
Many Thanks Regards DAVID.
Use my work address for the delivery.
hi david
consider it done, it`s in an envelope on it`s way to you now.
mahoney.
what`s your work adress david :?:
VIKING TRAILERS LTD.
TAYLOR HOLME IND EST,
ATHERTON WAY,
STACKSTEADS,
BACUP.
LANCASHIRE.
OL13 OLE.
It is in the front of the club magazine.
Thanks David.
Dont forget how much?
I`m not a full member yet but i guess should be really :oops:
no charge david.
mahoney.
I`m not a full member yet but i guess should be really :oops:
no charge david.
mahoney.
Hands up all those who are not a gwoa member yet but use this site. you are missing out on my 25th anniversay issue of G wizz and will miss out on the next exciting colour production in march, serves you right. Now get your cheque book out please.
where do i send the check peter :?:
can`t hold it off any longer i suppose.
p.s. Gwiizz 25 had better be bloody good :twisted: :wink:
Good Morning Mahoney,
I owe you one! whats your postal details?
Your cheque will give you a lot! even a colour mag as Peter mentioned.
send it to me as the above details.
Regards DAVID.
thanks alot david.
who do i make the check payable to.
Here's the site page with the application form.
http://www.gwagen.fsnet.co.uk/id16.htm
thanks mark
mahoney
Re origional title " let battle commence", came across a reference today stating that MAN ERF UK have been awarded preferred bidder status for the supply of 4,851 cargo vehicles; 4 by 4 ( 6 tonne payload ), also 6 by 6 ( 9 tonne ) & 8 by 8's ( 15 tonne ) plus some 314no 8 by 8 hi-mobility recovery vehicles. This contract had origionally been anticipated to be for some 8000 vehicles.
No mention of light 4 by 4 for pax, though article did state in title that " MAN ERF UK has been awarded the lot".
Marcus
Hi Marcus,
Good source for the info many thanks for that, Our contacts are`nt giving us much at the moment, BUT a future trip to the factory next near might?
Although hard for a Merc fan to say,, that’s good news really. I've not seen what MAN ERF have to offer in the light 4x4 class.. If MAN have any sense, they'll make DC an offer they can't refuse and we'll have MAN badged G Wagens for the next 25 years :lol: :lol:
Have a look at 4x4 magazine's website, http://www.4x4i.com/index.html they are featuring the G in next months issue for its 25th birthday
Is that the December issue?
Ta.
Printed Dec but issue Jan 2005
link for article is on the guardian the link http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0.2763,1325970,html
sh*t :evil:
link for article is on the guardian the link http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0.2763,1325970,html
sh*t :evil:
Officer,
Paste the text of the article in your posting... we have no access to the Guardian article.
Cheers
Is this the article? http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1325861,00.html
Looks like it! but I will have to read it later, copy is now being printed .Thanks Jesus
Regards David.
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Have a look at 4x4 magazine's website, http://www.4x4i.com/index.html they are featuring the G in next months issue for its 25th birthday and you can also order back issues of the magazine from the publishers site... http://www.mags-uk.com/all/acatalog/uk_4_x_4.html if you want to get hold of the one in question.