Is SVT completely dead?

[1931Chevy]

http://www.fusionunleashed.com/index...2_articleid=98
Word from MF on April 13

Going forward, Ford is going to have a three-tiered approach to performance.

One tier of our strategy is personalized performance. This is the fastest growing part of the enthusiast market and it includes vehicles with upgraded power, performance and appearance.

Next is SVT and products like the Ford Shelby GT500. Our plan is to offer one performance Mustang and one performance truck in our lineup going forward. These vehicles will represent true Ford performance and stay true to the SVT brand that our loyal customers have come expect. We expect to sell 5,000 to 10,000 of each SVT vehicle a year going forward.

[expyfan]

is about time. But they need to hurry.

[asim]

Interesting...

[SobeSVT]

I took these pictures while Fields was saying the very words quoted by 1931Chevy.


©SobeSVT


©SobeSVT

The truck is obviously F-150 derived . . . Lightning anyone?

[FightingChance]

I'd really like to see the performance treatment given to the Fusion and next Focus. The Mustang and truck models I really don't care about.

[Chet]

Originally Posted by FightingChance

I'd really like to see the performance treatment given to the Fusion and next Focus. The Mustang and truck models I really don't care about.

I agree. But then again, I just want a 6 speed stick (actually, I would be happy with even a 5spd) to be available with the v6 Fusion and I bet that wont even happen. Another reason to go to the competition

[kool_zx3]

It's good to see the Lightning is not dead I knew it would be back to retake it's crown.

So SVT will be 2 vehicles, mustang and f150.

Ford racing and ford racing performance parts will become more widespread with more parts and accesories.... a big plus.

Now personalized performance?? What is this?? Is it when you order your vehicle you can ask for a a body kit, tinted windows, cold air intake, high flow exhaust etc..... Anyone have a clue what this means?

[Redneck]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

It's good to see the Lightning is not dead I knew it would be back to retake it's crown.

So SVT will be 2 vehicles, mustang and f150.

Ford racing and ford racing performance parts will become more widespread with more parts and accesories.... a big plus.

Now personalized performance?? What is this?? Is it when you order your vehicle you can ask for a a body kit, tinted windows, cold air intake, high flow exhaust etc..... Anyone have a clue what this means?

I'm thinking A la Scion? Supercharger options (Xa/b) backed by factory and crap like that...

[haleykeek]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

It's good to see the Lightning is not dead I knew it would be back to retake it's crown.

So SVT will be 2 vehicles, mustang and f150.

Ford racing and ford racing performance parts will become more widespread with more parts and accesories.... a big plus.

Now personalized performance?? What is this?? Is it when you order your vehicle you can ask for a a body kit, tinted windows, cold air intake, high flow exhaust etc..... Anyone have a clue what this means?

IF the Lightning is to come back again,it better have more than 8-cylinders of "air-puff power".that V10-SRT Dodge is hard to beat.

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by haleykeek

IF the Lightning is to come back again,it better have more than 8-cylinders of "air-puff power".that V10-SRT Dodge is hard to beat.

It dosent need more then 8, a Z06 dosent need more then 8 to whoop on a Viper...


I dont care about SVT all that much, I like what Roush does better anyways. A man with as much history in racing as the Mustang itself? or a bunch of engineering grads wet behind the ear?..give me the old man Roush for my performance needs!

[FoMoCo Fan]

I don't care what badge they put on it, but a 3.5 V6 Fusion would be nice, especially since its sister the Zephyr is getting it. I've driven a loaded Fusion SEL 3.0, it was ok, but too sluggish off the line for me. Fusion ST anyone?

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by haleykeek

IF the Lightning is to come back again,it better have more than 8-cylinders of "air-puff power".that V10-SRT Dodge is hard to beat.

Plenty of lightning's out there beating on srt-10's.... it takes a good driver to drive an srt-10 and put all that power to the ground.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by haleykeek

IF the Lightning is to come back again,it better have more than 8-cylinders of "air-puff power".that V10-SRT Dodge is hard to beat.

The previous Lightning had a SOHC 5.4 with a roots blower. They could easily change it to a DOHC or they could upgrade the roots blower to a twin screw or they could do both like the Ford GT. Tons of options before going with more cylinders.


By AMY WILSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Published 04/17/06, 8:22 am et

NEW YORK -- Ford Motor Co.'s Special Vehicle Team will survive, Ford executive Mark Fields says. But the performance brand has been scaled back.

Going forward, Ford will offer one high-performance Mustang and one high-performance truck in its lineup, Fields said last week here at the New York auto show.

Ford expects to sell 5,000 to 10,000 units of each SVT vehicle annually, he said.

Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, wouldn't say what kind of truck is in the works or when it would debut. The Shelby GT500, the latest Mustang developed by SVT, is scheduled to go on sale this summer.

A two-vehicle stable is a departure from a year ago, when Ford said SVT eventually would have as many as five products, more than ever before. One of those was to have been the Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin in 2007. It later was canceled as part of the automaker's Way Forward restructuring plan.

That cancellation, plus other changes for SVT, had triggered apprehension over the performance brand's future. Fields tried to put those fears to rest.

"SVT isn't dying," he said. "Would I like to do more? Sure. But at the same time, we've got to balance our resources."

Fields acknowledged that SVT and Ford Racing's marketing groups have been combined. He described Ford's performance strategy as a three-pronged approach encompassing SVT, Ford Racing and "personalized performance" aimed at the tuner crowd.

Although SVT has been scaled back, Fields said he is "from the school that says performance vehicles make brands stronger."

"I believe they have a critical role in our Way Forward because they challenge our designers and engineers to excel, they excite our marketers, and they make a strong emotional connection to customers."

[syr74]

Whatever SVT will or wont be in the future the most important thing is that Mark Fields has shown who is in charge (something the powers that be at SVT haven't always seemed to understand) and that the focus of every part of the corporation is to be the betterment of Ford. Performance cars will continue at Ford under Fields whatever role SVT may play in that. As I have said before nothing but good has come from the hand of Mark Fields as yet. In ten years you can expect all the auto rags to be jumping on his bandwagon as though they had predicted his success.

[doh]

SVT is gone, individual dealers will be able to order SVT derived products.
We just placed an order for an 07 GT 500. How ever it does sit as "Do Not Schedule"