As said above, no one thing can take down a company.
I don't know specifics on why so many other manufacturers have vanished, so can only comment on what I know. I (and a few others on here) work for Triumph, one of the last of the historic UK volume manufacturers still UK owned and based.
We are currently leading the sales board in the over 500cc class in the UK and have continual growth, a bright future and big plans. All this in a relatively short period of time when others have died a death.
Why? Well these things certainly help...
Our products are very good - We generally win or do very well in group tests. All the marketing spend in the world won't sell a poor product for long.
We are privately owned by one man - Resources are not wasted, because the money behind it is all coming from an actual pocket. I have seen some serious money wasted by some big manufacturers that simply wouldn't happen at Triumph.
Our staff are effective/proud - This is a big deal, if you don't care about what you are doing it reflects in the end product. Sounds a bit wet but its true, there is a real sense of pride at Triumph.
Of course there are other factors, but without these three I don't think it would be the same story..
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