Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]As usual I agree with Gerard. To add some more figures, consider = this.The growth in the period 96/97 against the period 95/96 ( the = fiscal year ends 1 april) for the M has been 9%, for the R: 51%, but = for the projectors 22% and the binoculars and spectives 28%. As the = growth figures for the camera systems include the lenses it is not = quite clear how much the cameras as such contributed. So in fact the = unspectactular projectors and binoculars had a much higher growth = figure than the M. The M still is the biggest single profit maker. At = 28.6% it is however down from 29,2%. The R grew from 17,8% to 24,4%. = But how much of this can be attributed to the lenses? We know that at least 5000 units of the R8 have been produced, with = 3000 more in the pipeline. Production for the R8 at the moment is = about 1300 units/month. This is very positive, given the fact that = the Nikon F5 is rumoured as being produced at a rate of =B14000/month. These figures bring into perspective also some speculations about = forthcoming models. Given the slender production capabilities, what = should we make from a production line comprising the M6, M6 wide, M6 = tele, M6 Electronc, M6 High Point, R6.2, R8, R8.2 and R9. If these = options will be realised then we can expect a delivery rate of a few = hundreds/month per model. And waiting lists of at least half a year. BTW the R7 is officially buried. Erwin Puts