ADV Production Modular Hardtop!

[Hokiemike87]

I don't know what to say about the allegation they were 50/50 and that meant they were both patent holders for X. That's what a court will determine, I assume. That's why you have lawyers, and to wit, having competent investors would also presume ADV didn't step into a fiasco, since the investors have something at stake, too. Sometimes selling part of the business or proceeds is the wise thing to do.

However, APG would definitely go a long way to putting the onus for this debacle on ADV if they were to give tops to order holders that haven't been refunded. I would think a court would look on that very favorably, especially if some of ADV's claims don't bear out.

I wouldn't hold your breath on APG doing the right thing after all the lies and deception they have perpetrated so far.

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[JediMcMuffin]

I'm still disappointed that this product isn't available. I am probably one of few who laid their hands on it. John was very welcoming when I went to go see his prototype early on. I wanted a 1-piece as this thing really is no longer a convertible for me, its a family camping rig.

Edit: Wow, I just looked, I took these photos in September 2022

https://mcnicholas.smugmug.com/Cars/ADV-Fiberglass-Bronco-Hardtop

 

[userdude]

Thats just business. Do you know how many products are white labeled and produced by someone you may know but have no idea? They should not have to sit there and disclose every contact and manufacture of a product.
Lets not forget that APG was directing sales in June of 2022 so before we say thats not the contract etc APG knew it was listed as a ADV product and was okay with it then so seems like they had a white label approach in this agreement because it was the only way APG could get the quantity sold to make it worth the effort (this is 100% an assumption)

On the other hand, if ADV was a true white label legally and there's evidence APG disclosed that, that would presumably be in contravention to their agreement. Maybe that's why APG removed that comment? Maybe it was made at the time when all parties were still confident things were going to work out?

But I return to my point, ADV is a manufacturer; they do make products themselves? Them saying they were producing a top themselves is facially believable, until it wasn't. Nobody seems to have caught that message and it's import at the time, at least as far as I know.

What we don't know is if this was all some scheme to induce ADV on APG's part to commit fraud so they could fund design and manufacturing of a top. Only insiders know what's going on here, and frankly ADV's actions are well known, APG's simply aren't. APG made a factual statement about ADV's pre-orders. That's what we know.

 

[chris@pandamotorworks]

On the other hand, if ADV was a true white label legally and there's evidence APG disclosed that, that would presumably be in contravention to their agreement. Maybe that's why APG removed that comment? Maybe it was made at the time when all parties were still confident things were going to work out?

But I return to my point, ADV is a manufacturer; they do make products themselves? Them saying they were producing a top themselves is facially believable, until it wasn't. Nobody seems to have caught that message and it's import at the time, at least as far as I know.

What we don't know is if this was all some scheme to induce ADV on APG's part to commit fraud so they could fund design and manufacturing of a top. Only insiders know what's going on here, and frankly ADV's actions are well known, APG's simply aren't. APG made a factual statement about ADV's pre-orders. That's what we know.

Oh 100% we dont know minus them but I think at this point with that said I have seen enough that we can not say just because ADV took the money is the only at fault. I think both play a part here and will be interesting to see it played out and hope there is money left to make everyone whole at the end.

about 7 years ago in the Focus ST world a business went belly up and took a bunch of money and left cars for dead. We rescued 2 of them and helped get them on the road and the community all helped out to get them back and we ate the labor on 1 entire build and the transport because we cant stand when this happens. I am no hardtop manufacture and we build cars/ sell parts so we sadly cant do much here other than provide some outside insight and hope everyone get made whole!

 

[KillerPenz]

Screw the book, I wanna see a docuseries!

Screw the docuseries, I'm waiting for my free month of Only Fans!

 

[Hokiemike87]

Oh we got discounts for sure but that’s because of OUR relationship with companies. It was not because of APG. We used OUR wheels, OUR tires sponsored by nitto. We got all the armor and sliders from Next Venture Motorsports who sponsored us for years. Spicer provided the axle set, Baja Designs supplied the lights and that’s again All Due to OUR relationship with these companies and has nothing to do with APG or anyone else’s money so did we receive discounted or free parts, absolutely! But that’s due to our working with these many companies. Was our labor discounted from APG? Absolutely, why wouldn’t it be? We will be the only APG bronco being used and abused and taken to events all over the country. We are a business and have to operate as such but you can ALL be rest assured that no matter what we get for free or discounted we will ALWAYS be real and truthful and forthcoming with any problems, failures or changes that any of these companies or parts have while in use. Weather they are damaged from misuse or fail due to poor design or anything in between. ALL companies we work with are told that we will never lie on video about any parts failure or issues we encounter while testing the products.
This was just clearly bad timing on us having a bronco built but I still wouldn’t change a thing. APG has been absolutely amazing to work with. The products produced have been nothing short or amazing the the craftsmanship is incredible and top notch. When these hard tops are finally available people will be very happy with them. George is a stand up guys and only wants to produce the best possible products from his company. No corners cut and nothing left on the table. We know nothing about the dealings with ADV and APG but they need to work this out and I hope all of you get your products because you will absolutely not be disappointed because even our prototype is an amazing product and the little issues it does have were already addressed and fixed.
If you have anything else to say please just be respectful and kind and I have no problems answering anything you want truthfully but I won’t give time of day to anyone to just bashes or slanders us over baseless accusations.
And for the people who said we’ve done plenty wrong in the past… look in the mirror, I’m sure you aren’t perfect. NOBODY is perfect and nobody makes every decision correctly. We all make bad choices and live and learn.

Oh come on man after reading that whole 35 page lawsuit you have the gall to say George is a "standup" guy??? If I wasn't out $7,100 I would be laughing my butt off at your comment but I'm not. The guy is a total scam artist that took over $4.4 M in with only a handful of tops to show for it. Come on man.

 

[j_marinelli]

Screw the docuseries, I'm waiting for my free month of Only Fans!

 

[userdude]

Oh 100% we dont know minus them but I think at this point with that said I have seen enough that we can not say just because ADV took the money is the only at fault. I think both play a part here and will be interesting to see it played out and hope there is money left to make everyone whole at the end.

about 7 years ago in the Focus ST world a business went belly up and took a bunch of money and left cars for dead. We rescued 2 of them and helped get them on the road and the community all helped out to get them back and we ate the labor on 1 entire build and the transport because we cant stand when this happens. I am no hardtop manufacture and we build cars/ sell parts so we sadly cant do much here other than provide some outside insight and hope everyone get made whole!

The whole BAMF thing with buying the bumpers from the company that just disappeared and trying to fulfill orders last year is similar. I think most people are trying to do the right thing. The off road community is pretty tight, as Big Rich says, it's still like a family, unlike NASCAR, say.

I'll give a similar anecdote my old boss told me years ago, as a warning. He had a buddy who ran a printing company here in North Texas that made all the cups, wraps etc. for a large regional fast food chain. After a couple decades of making a ton of money, he decided to sell it and other businesses and invest instead of running businesses, so he could enjoy life.

This rich guy shows up and buys the company; he says he wants a company for his son to run, whose graduating MBA from some silk tie university. Profitable company, doing well, contracts going into the future. They just had to run it and retain the staff who knew how to do that.

Fast forward a few years and a contact at the fast food company contacts him and says, hey, your old company is up for sale. If you buy it and run it, we'll make sure you get the contracts.

He's like, what's going on. So he starts looking into it and realizes this guy's son has fired everyone, changed things that didn't need changing, and basically run it into the ground. Not because he meant to, but because he didn't know better. It's now losing money and his father is done with it.

So the guy buys it back and within six months has it profitable again.

Maybe not a parallel but sometimes you don't know what you don't know and the world is eager to show you.

 

[KillerPenz]

The unprofessionalism in the language and tone of your posts in this forum as a representative of your company is a red flag to prospective customers. Maybe it’s unfair to question your business’s connection to this mess and maybe it’s not. Regardless, I’ll never do business with a company that speaks this way to its customer base.

Well in his defense, the only thing I know of that they sell is Only Fans! I'm guessing rest of money comes from sponsorships and YouTube videos.
But I'm not backing them, just stating a fact (what I believe to be factual). As for APG, well.... People here saying the owner nothing but nice to "me"... Well how else will he get you to buy stuff? Treat you like a asshole?

 

[userdude]

Well how else will he get you to buy stuff? Treat you like a asshole?

Being nice isn't a prerequisite for making sales. All depends on what you're selling and how much others need/want what you have. I mean, Apple ain't nice and plenty of people fall all over themselves to buy their products and services.

 

[Hokiemike87]

So what will the total cost of the top be now? $7k top/freight, lawyer fees, more lawyer fees, buying an actual real top that is actually produced- $5k. Man this top is adding up quickly.

Lol dude you will never get a top from either of these companies and if you are still considering it please take my advice as someone that is out $7k to run, not walk away as fast as possible!

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Lol dude you will never get a top from either of these companies and if you are still considering it please take my advice as someone that is out $7k to run, not walk away as fast as possible!

Uh- I lost interest the moment they said “100% deposit required”. I’ve been outspoken in this thread warning people to get out while they still could. I wouldn’t buy a top from either company. Ever.

 

[KillerPenz]

Being nice isn't a prerequisite for making sales. All depends on what you're selling and how much others need/want what you have. I mean, Apple ain't nice and plenty of people fall all over themselves to buy their products and services.

Well I can't vouch for you Apple sheep, and I said I'd stop picking on you guys... But come on, are Apple employees screaming in your face when you walk into a store? Or are the salespeople nice?

 

[NatureMan]

Riddle me this, what are APG and lite brite most famous for?

 

[Toccoa]

Riddle me this, what are APG and lite brite most famous for?

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