Open Letter to Motorsports??
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2003 11:47 pm
After reading Cannondale's "open letter to the past, present, and future customers" that is on their website - I snapped. I am tired of management's apathy for the motorsports division and e-mailed this to them, in response:
Dear Cannondale,
As a very loyal owner of one of your "motorsports" products (2002 Speed), I am becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of information regarding the fate of the motorsports division. I just read the "open letter" from Mr. Montgomery where he referred to the "cash drain" of motorsports, the motorsports "project", and the "distraction of motorsports". It seems as though the management has turned their backs on all of the loyal motorsports customers and supporters. As an early Cannondale supporter and owner for nearly a year and a half (Speed #72), I am absolutely outraged. Many loyal owners of your product are quite concerned whether they will be able to get parts, service, or warranty work. Your company only seems too anxious to sweep the motorsports division under the rug and forget about it. Many owners of your product have backed Cannondale unconditionally - even through tough times of product recalls, updates, and warranty work. If it wasn't for the loyal Cannondale owners acting as your "salesmen", I don't think you would have sold half as many units as you did. Your advertising and marketing efforts were sparse and half of your dealers were clueless about what they were selling, how to service it, and which part was which. Many, many units were sold as a result of word of mouth, praise, and personal "test rides" from owners like myself. Your management is well aware of the impact of internet forums like atvconnection.com, cannondaleriders.com, and cannondaler.com which also helped to promote the products. In fact, Scott Montgomery used to visit those sites regularly. We haven't seen him around those parts for nearly six months. It wouldn't hurt to drop in and calm (or confirm) our fears with a little information.
How about an "Open Letter" to the motorsports customers of past and present to let THEM know what the FUTURE will be? I am quickly losing faith in a company that I once believed in. Without some type of update from Cannondale management, I can no longer support Cannondale Corporation. I will ALWAYS support the Cannondale motorsports product and vision.
Sincerely,
Dave Walnoha
Dear Cannondale,
As a very loyal owner of one of your "motorsports" products (2002 Speed), I am becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of information regarding the fate of the motorsports division. I just read the "open letter" from Mr. Montgomery where he referred to the "cash drain" of motorsports, the motorsports "project", and the "distraction of motorsports". It seems as though the management has turned their backs on all of the loyal motorsports customers and supporters. As an early Cannondale supporter and owner for nearly a year and a half (Speed #72), I am absolutely outraged. Many loyal owners of your product are quite concerned whether they will be able to get parts, service, or warranty work. Your company only seems too anxious to sweep the motorsports division under the rug and forget about it. Many owners of your product have backed Cannondale unconditionally - even through tough times of product recalls, updates, and warranty work. If it wasn't for the loyal Cannondale owners acting as your "salesmen", I don't think you would have sold half as many units as you did. Your advertising and marketing efforts were sparse and half of your dealers were clueless about what they were selling, how to service it, and which part was which. Many, many units were sold as a result of word of mouth, praise, and personal "test rides" from owners like myself. Your management is well aware of the impact of internet forums like atvconnection.com, cannondaleriders.com, and cannondaler.com which also helped to promote the products. In fact, Scott Montgomery used to visit those sites regularly. We haven't seen him around those parts for nearly six months. It wouldn't hurt to drop in and calm (or confirm) our fears with a little information.
How about an "Open Letter" to the motorsports customers of past and present to let THEM know what the FUTURE will be? I am quickly losing faith in a company that I once believed in. Without some type of update from Cannondale management, I can no longer support Cannondale Corporation. I will ALWAYS support the Cannondale motorsports product and vision.
Sincerely,
Dave Walnoha