You're correct Rick, I have seen a drastic change over the last 2 years. My animosity towards Ronnie Kruger is based on an idea that I proposed concerning an alliance with Shelby and eliminating the frivolous lawsuits that were draining both companies bottom line. A close friend and I initiated the dialog between both companies and shortly after signing an agreement with Ronnie Kruger, we were both grooms left standing at the altar. This appears to be their corporate M.O. in that they capitalize and implement constructive, profitable ideas while carefully eliminating the originators.
There has been a definite change in customer based service and the prompt attention, recognition of structural problems as exemplified with the spontaneous windshield fracturing and continued delamination of early production windshields. In the past, the dealers worked in harmony but that changed once dealer innovations were adapted into the next generation cars with little or no remuneration, which subsequently inhibited creative dealer input. The cause of the windshield fractures has never been identified and has been poorly addressed. When any company forgets that the customers insure the success of their products, they need a serious business refresher course. Several of the Superformance issues have been quietly sequestered by the loyal owners, who until recently, were properly respected. Now we are relegated as "customers" when questions are presented and summarily talked down to by dealers like Doug Reed, when those same questions remain unaddressed and reissued. Does that philosophy bother me, you bet. Given the cost of these expensive play toys that can only be enjoyed on perfect weather days, owners should receive special attention. There are plenty of viable high performance marques available at the price most of us have invested. What is equally bothersome is that many of us have actively recommended SPF's to potential cobraphiles and have invested the time and effort to promote the very manufacturer who has now adopted The Big Three attitude of telling us what we need rather than what we want. Kruger was part of the upper echelon at VW and should know that philosophy might fare well in Europe but won't succeed in the U.S. It didn't work with Mercedes, VW or any of the domestic manufacturers here....if it had, Toyota wouldn't be challenging the top 3 and GM wouldn't be cutting 28k jobs. Mercedes lost it's significant market share in the luxury car line to vehicles that were never contenders in the past. Minor nuances should be expected in performance cars but issues that compromise safety and even the convenience of passing licensure inspections, should be addressed promptly, aggressively and without political sounding rhetoric.
I still believe Superformance produces one of the best replicas available but they have fallen well below the quality interdealer service and respect that owners deserve.
Competition keeps businesses sharp, attentive and insightful to their customer base. Once Superformance eliminates the turf wars craeted by territorial delegations, we'll enjoy the company that fought hard for recognition and their customers.