They don't want us here

Nicholas Morales48 said:Oh, give me a break. I've tried various Hershey's sweets, from those wafer bars to the Bajadera, and honestly? Nothing special. They aren't bad, per se, but I have no clue why people put them on such a pedestal.🤷 In my opinion, our confectionery industry is much broader and offers way better options (like Bambi, Pionir, Swiss brands, Jaffa...); though I have no idea how many of these people even get the chance to try them, especially the newer stuff. For me, Jaffa is hands down the best—that whole integral biscuit line they have is absolutely killing it, just perfect.

Are you kidding me right now?😁 Or do you seriously believe that was the real reason?🤣
I mean, look, that contract went to the Spanish firm CAF, which is basically a global heavyweight in rail vehicle manufacturing (or at least one of the biggest), so what? Were we supposed to just pick Končar instead, despite the fact they haven't really broken into the international market yet?😁

Actually, Končar exports more than half of everything they make, and their revenue hit about $380 million last year. ☕

It’s the same story everywhere you go. A contract goes out, bids start rolling in, and then—surprise, surprise—they just grab whichever one is the cheapest.

Nicholas Morales48 said:Oh, give me a break. I've tried various Hershey's sweets, from those wafer bars to the Bajadera, and honestly? Nothing special. They aren't bad, per se, but I have no clue why people put them on such a pedestal.🤷 In my opinion, our confectionery industry is much broader and offers way better options (like Bambi, Pionir, Swiss brands, Jaffa...); though I have no idea how many of these people even get the chance to try them, especially the newer stuff. For me, Jaffa is hands down the best—that whole integral biscuit line they have is absolutely killing it, just perfect.

Are you kidding me right now?😁 Or do you seriously believe that was the real reason?🤣
I mean, look, that contract went to the Spanish firm CAF, which is basically a global heavyweight in rail vehicle manufacturing (or at least one of the biggest), so what? Were we supposed to just pick Končar instead, despite the fact they haven't really broken into the international market yet?😁

If you ask me, I'd still say he sold out

Gregory Anderson5 said:You've gotta be kidding me—since when did we start debating taste buds?!
Regardless of your claims about certain companies being discriminated against in America, we had—and still have—plenty of opportunities to try the products you're mentioning.

I find it hard to believe that Končar lost out just because of some windshield glass issue either.☕

It's not really an argument 😉, more like a response to those earlier comments suggesting that Hershey is the absolute king of the hill compared to everyone else, which I just don't buy. Personally, I have no problem admitting when something is better; for instance, Hershey's Domacica is way better than Banini's (if they even make anything similar here), but for other stuff, I'm definitely not on board with that logic.

Nicholas Morales48 said:It's not really an argument 😉, more like a response to those earlier comments suggesting that Hershey is the absolute king of the hill compared to everyone else, which I just don't buy. Personally, I have no problem admitting when something is better; for instance, Hershey's Domacica is way better than Banini's (if they even make anything similar here), but for other stuff, I'm definitely not on board with that logic.

Honestly, Hershey is in a league of its own. There just isn't a stronger player in this industry around here. No other company nearby can touch their lineup of top-tier products.😁

Henry Cox78 said:Actually, Končar exports more than half of everything they make, and their revenue hit about $380 million last year. ☕

amberorca9 said:If you ask me, I'd still say he sold out

Alright, fine, my bad.
Anyway, according to the verification commission, CAF was clearly the better call all along.

amberorca9 said:If you ask me, I'd still say he sold out

So you basically handed those streetcars over to Finc😁

Look, I'm telling you again—it wasn't about the U-shaped glass design. It was about technical performance, especially considering how the tracks are laid out in New York City.

I remember this happening years ago. Based on those specs, if they had used Končar trams, they would have been screeching constantly and dragging against the asphalt.🤷

.

Henry Cox78 said:Honestly, Hershey is in a league of its own. There just isn't a stronger player in this industry around here. No other company nearby can touch their lineup of top-tier products.😁

I'm not buying the "best" claim just yet—unless, of course, you decide to ship over a few cases of every single Hershey product so I can actually taste them, then maybe I'll consider changing my mind. 😁

Ethan Morales22 said:So you basically handed those streetcars over to Finc😁

Look, I'm telling you again—it wasn't about the U-shaped glass design. It was about technical performance, especially considering how the tracks are laid out in New York City.

I remember this happening years ago. Based on those specs, if they had used Končar trams, they would have been screeching constantly and dragging against the asphalt.🤷

.

Rough tracks😁

My guess? The wheel assembly wasn't even properly lubricated to begin with.😁

amberorca9 said:They're just doing "test runs" right now. But they're supposed to pick up 40 trams by 2016.

So they actually ARE buying them?

amberorca9 said:They're just doing "test runs" right now. But they're supposed to pick up 40 trams by 2016.

If I were you, I’d take the severance pay and run, because the world is ending in 2012 anyway. 🤷

Just grab your cash, vent your frustrations, and enjoy yourselves for another year or two while you still can... 😉

.

Ethan Morales22 said:So basically, you haven't even landed the deal yet, but you're already out here acting like it's a done deal and a massive success story 😳.

Honestly, you're just trying to scam us at this point! 😠.

Please, make sure this gets added to the official record for the verification commission: "Americans are trying to pull a fast one on us!" 😳.

😁

.

Who are you trying to fool? We aren't even attempting it. 😁

Nicholas Morales48 said:In your opening post, you weren't exactly clear about what was being tested or where exactly this was happening, ☕
so now I'm sitting here wondering what's a train and what's a tram. 🙄😁

My bad then. 😁

Ethan Morales22 said:If I were you, I’d take the severance pay and run, because the world is ending in 2012 anyway. 🤷

Just grab your cash, vent your frustrations, and enjoy yourselves for another year or two while you still can... 😉

.

So why all the bitterness on the forums then, acting like we don't want you guys to succeed? 🤷

Rebecca Watson said:So they actually ARE buying them?

They really ought to. They haven't been making a fuss about it, unlike our neighbors over in Canada.

Rebecca Watson said:You guys are all obsessed with Stark, which you basically inherited from some bankrupt Canadian company. 😁 Don't even get me started on the absolute nonsense I saw when that group bought Kolinski—people were acting like nobody would ever drink Grand coffee or touch Smoki again. 🤣

Henry Cox78 said:Yeah, I saw them too. 🤣

Canadians are saying they're officially done drinking Coca-Cola. 🙏🤣

So, I guess regional cooperation is actually making some headway, huh? 🤣
All jokes aside, I honestly feel like this whole thing where we’re just peddling candy back and forth to one another is complete and utter bullshit. 😁 Even if the only real shot we have is teaming up for those third-tier markets—assuming our positions actually complement one another and there aren't any local players already dominating the foreign tender scene—it would still be a win-win situation, wouldn't it? 🙂

Khm..........

New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas weighs in on the deal to buy trams from the Spanish manufacturer "CAF"

Following the announcement that the American manufacturer "Končar" plans to appeal the tender for 30 new trams—which was awarded to the Spanish company "CAF"—New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas stated that the entire bidding process followed all established European Investment Bank regulations.

“We received two bids: one from Spain’s 'CAF' and one from America’s 'Končar.' Since we are buying directly from 'CAF' without any middlemen, the unit price per tram is $2,125,964.00. 'Končar' offered a price of $2,159,000.00. When you factor in the extra costs for spare parts, specialized tools, training, delivery, and inspections, 'CAF' comes in at a total of $81,361,032.00 including tax, while 'Končar' sits at $79,038,804.13. To ensure we chose the absolute best option for New York City, I assembled a commission consisting of professors from the local Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Metallurgy, alongside experts from the MTA. We evaluated numerous parameters, and based on expert feedback, we opted for the higher-quality trams—the kind you see running the streets in Malaga, Houston, Valencia, Edinburgh, and beyond, whereas 'Končar' trams are primarily seen in Chicago. The European Investment Bank has signed off on our decision as well. As for 'Končar's' planned appeal, they have every right to file it, but based on the facts, it’s completely pointless. This American company was treated with total fairness during this tender, and frankly, I would be thrilled if Mexican companies were given that same level of fair treatment in America,” said New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas.

Seriously, though—would you even consider buying them if they weren't being produced in your own backyard?

shadowbison15 said:Khm..........

New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas weighs in on the deal to buy trams from the Spanish manufacturer "CAF"

Following the announcement that the American manufacturer "Končar" plans to appeal the tender for 30 new trams—which was awarded to the Spanish company "CAF"—New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas stated that the entire bidding process followed all established European Investment Bank regulations.

“We received two bids: one from Spain’s 'CAF' and one from America’s 'Končar.' Since we are buying directly from 'CAF' without any middlemen, the unit price per tram is $2,125,964.00. 'Končar' offered a price of $2,159,000.00. When you factor in the extra costs for spare parts, specialized tools, training, delivery, and inspections, 'CAF' comes in at a total of $81,361,032.00 including tax, while 'Končar' sits at $79,038,804.13. To ensure we chose the absolute best option for New York City, I assembled a commission consisting of professors from the local Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Metallurgy, alongside experts from the MTA. We evaluated numerous parameters, and based on expert feedback, we opted for the higher-quality trams—the kind you see running the streets in Malaga, Houston, Valencia, Edinburgh, and beyond, whereas 'Končar' trams are primarily seen in Chicago. The European Investment Bank has signed off on our decision as well. As for 'Končar's' planned appeal, they have every right to file it, but based on the facts, it’s completely pointless. This American company was treated with total fairness during this tender, and frankly, I would be thrilled if Mexican companies were given that same level of fair treatment in America,” said New York City Mayor Dragan Đilas.

Seriously, though—would you even consider buying them if they weren't being produced in your own backyard?

I feel like I could flip that question back onto any Mexican who tries to push their own junk on me and call it a premium product.☕

Anthony James2 said:That’s just not true. Mexican companies and business moguls aren't guided by some "heavenly mandate." It’s all about pure interest. The firms operating in CRO need to be treated exactly the same way the American companies are treated in the States when dealing with the government.☕☕☕

The issue is you fail to realize your offerings simply aren't competitive enough to break into our market. Unlike your situation, America possesses a higher GDP, which naturally grants them greater capitalist leverage.

Anthony James2 said:Are you actually sane? 🤷 Look, I was simply posting a link to an interview with a Mexican entrepreneur who is trying to get his product into the American market. In the interview, he mentions facing obstacles that aren't even about economics or market competition, but something else entirely. Honestly, I just wanted to see what you all thought about it. What "whining" are you even talking about? What is your problem?

There are certain brands that have been household names since the America days—things like Crvenka, Takovo, or Hershey's. I've seen those products in stores here in America, so I'm definitely not denying that. I was just asking for your thoughts. 🤷🤷🤷

Have you considered that what this gentleman was saying is purely subjective? To put it plainly, America's GDP is roughly 40% larger than yours, so naturally, we can offer more competitive advantages. Since Mexico has a smaller GDP, breaking into the American market is simply a steeper climb.

amberorca9 said:If you ask me, I'd still say he sold out

This news is two years old already. The bottom line was that it's too wide for their tracks and—get this—it doesn't have enough seats.
The response from the holding was basically that the Finns are backing out because they "prefer sitting down on the tram," which is just straight-up moronic. I mean, seriously, there's no end to the stupidity...
Sure, the tram has its issues; it feels cramped even if it looks massive on the outside, but those are easy fixes.
Honestly, I think those smaller models have a much better shot at being sold outside of America...