ADV Production Modular Hardtop!

[ADV Fiberglass]

We have said numerous times what the reason for the recent delay was in this thread. However the fact that more and more posts come in this thread, start to bury the old post. So to clarify, here is the current update:

We could have been shipping the tops back in May. However they were not dialed with foam injection and paint (This was the final assembly QC problems). We made the executive decision to dial in the process by investing MUCH more money and time in foam injection steel tools and other equipment.

The tops were technically acceptable back in May and was better than the OEM hardtop but we do not settle. We always need to ensure that we are very happy with the end product. Our level of detail and product development is unmatched by any other company out there. We never had any intentions of taking this long to develop and produce the hardtops. However, between supply chain delays (out of our control) and our dedication to perfection (Fixing QC issues) that has caused many, many delays.

So to put it in perspective, we could have either shipped products in May and dealt with potential customer complaints of product quality or we push out ship dates, dial in the quality and ship at a later date and produce happier customers from the quality. Yes, there are trade offs. We decided that although it will be tough to deal with angry customers because of another delay, it would be harder to deal with customers complaining about quality. So to summarize it, we are always chasing the best possible product. Some customers see that, others only see the delays which is fine. No further delays are in the equation, we are simply working through the final assembly process and taking care of a large backlog. If the customer wishes to wait (A little longer) then they will be happy once they receive the hardtop. If they do not wish to wait, then we are more than happy to offer a full refund.

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[AZBaseSquatch]

My 2 cents....people just want to know you haven't abandoned them. Even if its just a weekly check-in from you guys to re-state the same stuff, would still be better than going radio silent. Just say....Hey guys, happy Friday....here's a few things we worked on this week...etc. Again, I know that would make me feel better...and its only my opinion.

 

[Kjbeggs]

My 2 cents....people just want to know you haven't abandoned them. Even if its just a weekly check-in from you guys to re-state the same stuff, would still be better than going radio silent. Just say....Hey guys, happy Friday....here's a few things we worked on this week...etc. Again, I know that would make me feel better...and its only my opinion.

Agreed.
I know @ADV Fiberglass had stated in the past that they did not want to broadcast any more expected ship dates because they just lead to more irritation, but a weekly "Hey guys, we are currently on target for our October shipping date" or "currently we are two weeks behind our planned shipping schedule" would go a long way for me personally. (As opposed to checking in myself every couple weeks, only to be given the same old "final assembly... happy to refund..." corporate line).
I also think a lot of us here are wondering exactly what the shipping plan is as well.
What number of tops have to be shipped at once, what's the expected delivery time, once shipped, etc.?

Thanks @ADV Fiberglass for coming back on here and providing an update.
Whiny as we can be, we do appreciate it.
Now, can we get a glimpse of the headliner/sound-deadening?

 

[Bluewheels]

My 2 cents....people just want to know you haven't abandoned them. Even if its just a weekly check-in from you guys to re-state the same stuff, would still be better than going radio silent. Just say....Hey guys, happy Friday....here's a few things we worked on this week...etc. Again, I know that would make me feel better...and its only my opinion.

As I once was told professionally, an update of " No meaningful update this week" is better then no update at all.

Only holds up for so long, but also tells people you haven't left them at the alter.

 

[Bluewheels]

We have said numerous times what the reason for the recent delay was in this thread. However the fact that more and more posts come in this thread, start to bury the old post. So to clarify, here is the current update:

We could have been shipping the tops back in May. However they were not dialed with foam injection and paint (This was the final assembly QC problems). We made the executive decision to dial in the process by investing MUCH more money and time in foam injection steel tools and other equipment.

The tops were technically acceptable back in May and was better than the OEM hardtop but we do not settle. We always need to ensure that we are very happy with the end product. Our level of detail and product development is unmatched by any other company out there. We never had any intentions of taking this long to develop and produce the hardtops. However, between supply chain delays (out of our control) and our dedication to perfection (Fixing QC issues) that has caused many, many delays.

So to put it in perspective, we could have either shipped products in May and dealt with potential customer complaints of product quality or we push out ship dates, dial in the quality and ship at a later date and produce happier customers from the quality. Yes, there are trade offs. We decided that although it will be tough to deal with angry customers because of another delay, it would be harder to deal with customers complaining about quality. So to summarize it, we are always chasing the best possible product. Some customers see that, others only see the delays which is fine. No further delays are in the equation, we are simply working through the final assembly process and taking care of a large backlog. If the customer wishes to wait (A little longer) then they will be happy once they receive the hardtop. If they do not wish to wait, then we are more than happy to offer a full refund.

Also appreciated but should be remembered that these are paid customers. You accepted our money in exchange for your product. Just need to see some progress, because winter really is coming.

 

[woodsman44]

We have said numerous times what the reason for the recent delay was in this thread. However the fact that more and more posts come in this thread, start to bury the old post. So to clarify, here is the current update:

We could have been shipping the tops back in May. However they were not dialed with foam injection and paint (This was the final assembly QC problems). We made the executive decision to dial in the process by investing MUCH more money and time in foam injection steel tools and other equipment.

The tops were technically acceptable back in May and was better than the OEM hardtop but we do not settle. We always need to ensure that we are very happy with the end product. Our level of detail and product development is unmatched by any other company out there. We never had any intentions of taking this long to develop and produce the hardtops. However, between supply chain delays (out of our control) and our dedication to perfection (Fixing QC issues) that has caused many, many delays.

So to put it in perspective, we could have either shipped products in May and dealt with potential customer complaints of product quality or we push out ship dates, dial in the quality and ship at a later date and produce happier customers from the quality. Yes, there are trade offs. We decided that although it will be tough to deal with angry customers because of another delay, it would be harder to deal with customers complaining about quality. So to summarize it, we are always chasing the best possible product. Some customers see that, others only see the delays which is fine. No further delays are in the equation, we are simply working through the final assembly process and taking care of a large backlog. If the customer wishes to wait (A little longer) then they will be happy once they receive the hardtop. If they do not wish to wait, then we are more than happy to offer a full refund.

what an absolute clown show of a business...

Hey ADV, what about all the customers interest you collected though the two years of delays?

 

[CTwaterfowler]

what an absolute clown show of a business...

Hey ADV, what about all the customers interest you collected though the two years of delays?

The issue I have is that not one top has yet to be shipped.
I sincerely hope that tops start shopping in November. Even if it's only a few.
I do not see any need to throw out insults, etc.
As a first hour day 1 order, I am as justified as anybody in frustrations. However I do believe adv is trying their best to get perfect tops out,.just keep the angry beasts soothed with timely information.
Everybody wants this project to go in the best possible way.
THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE UNDERTAKING BY ADV, every thing has to fit perfect and last.
Look at the webasco top fiasco.
Thank God I switched my order to a soft top.
KEEP UP YOUR SPIRITS ADV, AND KEEP OURS AS WELL.
Also, be thankful your favorite critic grumpy old man is no longer posting.
Unless of course he's changed his handle

 

[Kjbeggs]

The issue I have is that not one top has yet to be shipped.
I sincerely hope that tops start shopping in November. Even if it's only a few.
I do not see any need to throw out insults, etc.
As a first hour day 1 order, I am as justified as anybody in frustrations. However I do believe adv is trying their best to get perfect tops out,.just keep the angry beasts soothed with timely information.
Everybody wants this project to go in the best possible way.
THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE UNDERTAKING BY ADV, every thing has to fit perfect and last.
Look at the webasco top fiasco.
Thank God I switched my order to a soft top.
KEEP UP YOUR SPIRITS ADV, AND KEEP OURS AS WELL.
Also, be thankful your favorite critic grumpy old man is no longer posting.
Unless of course he's changed his handle

Agreed, and I fully understand why @ADV Fiberglass would not want to ship out tops with subpar fill/paint. That's going to lead to cancellations far faster than delays would. (Obviously)...
I still don't necessarily understand why these issues were not identified/rectified while they were sitting on their hands waiting on rubber?
(I know they have many other products they were working on as well, but it was their words saying all they could was wait).
I'm sure they had parts piled up, just waiting on the final pieces (rubber), that went untouched until they started that much-mentioned "final assembly", but they should have been triple checked by that point, in my opinion.

I still believe they are trying to deliver a quality, long-lasting product, I'm just hoping they are up to the task.

(Note: I also believed the Dallas Cowboys were trying to deliver a Super Bowl caliber team this year, so what do I know?)

 

[Ninjak]

I like ADV products, hell I have the forge carbon fendors with the ram air hood that also has the forge fiber in it. Quality products. But this top fiasco has been handled wrongly IMO.

While I agree that they wanted to get everything right, the messaging, even the one they just stated, was wrong. You can not blame your lack of communication on the forum movement of threads. People who have spent good money 1 year+ ago, have reasons to be vexxed about this process. The goto "supply chain issues" excuse has run its course. People in this forum are in different industries and know what is happening on that side of things.

Communication is key here. Even a drop-in to give an update on the process is better than full radio silence. Also, the message is part of it. If there was an issue with quality, say so. It goes further with people who want the product to understand you are trying to get it right. Though that was said now, it comes with other caveats and honestly a looooooooong silence of things to be met with the responses that are being seen now.

I do hope the product will be worth the wait. I do like ADV products. But again, this top debacle is just that. A debacle. So accept the criticism, learn from it, and improve and be better.

Just my two cents.

 

[jonwithanelcamino]

no skin in the game. But have been following the story.

if they’ve fixed the QC and supply issues, sure they’ve made 1 top since May?

can’t they just ship them as they make them? I think that’s the issue with their response. Just ship one!

 

[indio22]

Seems like double wall construction can spell trouble. It dinged a major manufacturer like Webasto, and sounds like ADV has also been having some related issues. If making a top I'd go for single wall and avoid issues with sandwiching materials.

Anyway hope ADV with this top and all these 3rd party makers are a great success with their products. Looking forward to the day we have lots of options including on the used market, like we have for Jeeps, it's got to start somewhere and there are bound to be some growing pains.

 

[Area51BS]

I have no money in this. I’m holding off. But I would be a little upset myself. They jumped the gun. Money shouldn’t be taken if you(manufacturer) doesn’t already know your manufacturing process, quality and ability to deliver. Going forward if someone chooses to leave a deposit ADV should know the lead time and provide it. The customer would then have no reason to be upset.

 

[CTwaterfowler]

no skin in the game. But have been following the story.

if they’ve fixed the QC and supply issues, sure they’ve made 1 top since May?

can’t they just ship them as they make them? I think that’s the issue with their response. Just ship one!

That's my issue , just ship them as they are completed, 1 has to be ready by now

 

[jonwithanelcamino]

That's my issue , just ship them as they are completed, 1 has to be ready by now

Probably haven’t made one

You’d think they wouldn’t have the space to just let them stack up . I’m not accountant but they probably can’t recognize the revenue until they actually deliver them…. So they’d be delivering if they actually had any built

 

[flowingaway]

The tone in that first paragraph

Read the room @ADV Fiberglass

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