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Thread: SVT to be dismantled

  1. #1
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    SVT to be dismantled

    Nothing Special at Ford US?

    Ford USA's Special Vehicle Team is reportedly finished...


    The special projects outfit responsible for recent stand-out Fords such as the SVT Cobra Mustang is being dismantled. According to Edmunds.com, SVT's long-time executive staff have gone and operations could cease as early as April.

    US sources have stated that while the 2007 Shelby Cobra Mustang will still wear SVT badges, it will be the last genuine SVT product.

    The closure of SVT is believed to be part of Ford's ‘Way Forward' restructuring plan. The plan, announced in January, ended production at SVT's Wixom plant where the company's reborn legend car, Ford GT, was built. The restructure also killed off any hope of SVT building its planned high-performance SUV, the Sport Trac Adrenaline (pictured).

    SVT was founded in 1991 by Robert Rewey, Ford's vice president for marketing and sales, and Neil Ressler, Ford's chief technical officer. The first two SVT products were launched in 1992; the 1993 F-150 Lightning pickup and 1993 Mustang Cobra. The SVT Contour was introduced in 1997, followed by the second-generation Lightning in 1999. The '02 SVT Focus was released late 2001. By 2004, when production of the Lightning, Mustang Cobra and SVT Focus ended, the company had sold approximately 145,000 SVT products.


    http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/car-review/1642611.aspx

    Has anyone else heard of this, i was surprised that this was included in the "way forward" plan
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  2. #2
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    "way forward" means "lazier ways to make money"

    if that helps...
    badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by d-quik
    "way forward" means "lazier ways to make money"

    if that helps...
    Really?
    Ford's market share is falling and if SVT was not much profitable, it would have to go. Not much of a surprise....
    Sadly, SVT couldn't give us a Escort RS or a Sierra RS.
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  4. #4
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    This will probably end up hurting them in the long run. Its a well established fact that "hero" models get more people into the basic models, not only to have bragging rights within rival manufacturers.
    I am the Stig

  5. #5
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    ahhh yes at least we can still watch a short-haired natalie portman
    badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger

  6. #6
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    well its not like a SVT in the new mustang will help it sell any better.
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  7. #7
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    whats next for Ford? Wont there be any exciting cars? ie Ford Fusion GT or somthin?

  8. #8
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    Do you not care where you post?

    Check the post dates - 3-28-2006= NOBODY CARES ANYMORE
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  9. #9
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    I really doubt that means Ford is ditching performance vehicles altogether, just not going to call anything by the SVT name. They can't afford to.
    .....likes NASCAR

  10. #10
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    Hold on...I know ive arrived at this thread about a month too late, but SVT isnt being dismantled as far as i know. They recently announced a new 'unnamed truck' that will come out of SVT in the near future...
    ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

  11. #11
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    Theyve said they'll continue marketing one truck and one Mustang. So basically a massive downgrade
    I am the Stig

  12. #12
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    It would be a mistake to dismantle SVT. Just when Lexus is considering adding an AMG, Mpower-style performance wing, Ford wants to dismantle an existing and established performance branch. Nissan is also starting to introduce NISMO goodies in the States.

    I hope this is just a cheap ploy to bring attention to their ailing performance branch...
    "Racing improves the breed" ~Sochiro Honda

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    Natalie PWNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  14. #14
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    never liked svt... so i dont give a S**T!

  15. #15
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    That's not a genius move on Ford's part. SVT is an image maker, not a money maker. It gets people interested in Ford, maybe even gets them into a showroom where they might consider an SVT, or leave the lot in a "normal" version of a car. It's the same reason Dodge has the Viper, Audi the TT, etc.
    An it harm none, do as ye will

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