Last Tango
04-01-2008, 09:41 AM
:eek::eek::eek::shocking::shocking::shocking:
Sarasota Sun Times
AP
Sarasota, FL
Lee Kimmel, President and CEO of Donzi Marine, has closed the doors at the famous performance power boat builder after nearly 45 years. The boats made famous in racing and on the TV program Miami Vice during the 1980's, were originally created by boat racer Don Aronow, who then sold the mark after just a couple years at its helm.
Kimmel blamed the current recession for the fall of the company fortunes. "We just cannot maintain the level of quality our customers expect, and there is a very tiny margin of boat buyers at this level." Kimmel states that Donzi was probably its own worst enemy because so many boats have survived over the years. "The popularity of Donzi has encouraged many potential new boat buyers to look for, and restore, older Donzi's, particularly in our Classic line, thus robbing us of potential sales. There is even a rogue website of owners who encourage these restorations." Kimmel went on to say, "I've talked to Reggie Fountain about acquiring the Donzi brand." Fountain, also a legendary racer and builder, did not comment, and no calls were returned from their headquarters in North Carolina.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
This was posted today! April 1, 2008.
Sarasota Sun Times
AP
Sarasota, FL
Lee Kimmel, President and CEO of Donzi Marine, has closed the doors at the famous performance power boat builder after nearly 45 years. The boats made famous in racing and on the TV program Miami Vice during the 1980's, were originally created by boat racer Don Aronow, who then sold the mark after just a couple years at its helm.
Kimmel blamed the current recession for the fall of the company fortunes. "We just cannot maintain the level of quality our customers expect, and there is a very tiny margin of boat buyers at this level." Kimmel states that Donzi was probably its own worst enemy because so many boats have survived over the years. "The popularity of Donzi has encouraged many potential new boat buyers to look for, and restore, older Donzi's, particularly in our Classic line, thus robbing us of potential sales. There is even a rogue website of owners who encourage these restorations." Kimmel went on to say, "I've talked to Reggie Fountain about acquiring the Donzi brand." Fountain, also a legendary racer and builder, did not comment, and no calls were returned from their headquarters in North Carolina.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
This was posted today! April 1, 2008.