SVT Lives or does it??

**cobrabitn** · 04-17-2006, 07:25 PM

SVT lives
Ford says performance brand scaled back, but new truck is coming

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."

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...D=200660417001

tazzracing1 · 04-17-2006, 07:33 PM

I hope they put out more vehicals they seem to be important to the Ford market and the Cobra is a standard to be met along with the other SVT products.

**93KingCobra** · 04-17-2006, 10:07 PM

I personally would like if they just had two just to keep the SVT family alive...

**Firme** · 04-17-2006, 11:29 PM

Well... if there is going to be a SVT mustang, it just won't be the same if it not an SVT Cobra...

smashedheadcat · 04-18-2006, 03:55 PM

I think it's good news. I don't care what they call our cars.

Blown96Snake · 04-19-2006, 07:55 AM

I don't forsee them running the "Shelby" name forever. I think the Cobra has great brand awareness in the marketplace and it would be hard for Ford to reinvent the wheel...

Sounds like SVT's off the chopping block!

Dave

Levi · 04-24-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrabitn

"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."

Right On.

We have been saying this all along.

Do you think they have been reading are boards?

bolt-on · 04-26-2006, 10:01 PM

In the June issue of Car and Driver Magazine, Csaba Csere titles his column "Ford drives its 13-year-old SVT group off a cliff." He writes, "Associating the Cobra GT500 with Shelby has undoubtedly ignited a bright flame of publicity, but at the expense of the painstakingly built SVT brand."

Also of interest on this topic, John Clor has changed the name of his column in Mustang Enthusiast Magazine from Inside SVT to Motor City Musings.

The SVT name may still be around, but without its own marketing, engineering and dealer network, the magic is gone. John Coletti must have foreseen the future of his organization and retired rather than be part of its dismantling.

04-17-2006, 07:25 PM	#1
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	SVT Lives or does it?? SVT lives Ford says performance brand scaled back, but new truck is coming 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." http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...D=200660417001 __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

04-17-2006, 07:33 PM	#2
tazzracing1 SCMC Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Paw Paw, michigan Posts: 904	I hope they put out more vehicals they seem to be important to the Ford market and the Cobra is a standard to be met along with the other SVT products. __________________ 2003 S/C Cobra(born 6/10/2002 #439 of 8394) 2.93 pulley/Cold air intake X-pipe with cats/Magnaflowcatback Strut tower bar and subframe connectors MGW shifter second to none/best of the best Billetflow pullies with snub pulley 1997 Cobra(retired) www.michiganmustang.com

04-17-2006, 10:07 PM	#3
93KingCobra I Love SVT Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston,TX Posts: 2,637	I personally would like if they just had two just to keep the SVT family alive... __________________ Phil SCMC #1015 1993 Reef Blue Coupe 1 of 243 1993 Cobra Black #4265 of 4993 Born on 6/9/1993 SOLD 2003 Cobra Black #5996 of 8394 Born on 3/14/2003 SOLD Member: "Texas Demon Hell Snakes who eat small children" secret society

04-18-2006, 03:55 PM	#5
smashedheadcat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 1,727	I think it's good news. I don't care what they call our cars. __________________ Josh 2003 Oxford White Cobra Coupe Twin Turbo Solid Axle Automatic Return Fuel System 1997 Triple Black Cobra Convertible Forged and Blown. 511rwhp 398 rwtq Sold

04-19-2006, 07:55 AM	#6
Blown96Snake SCMC Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 241	I don't forsee them running the "Shelby" name forever. I think the Cobra has great brand awareness in the marketplace and it would be hard for Ford to reinvent the wheel... Sounds like SVT's off the chopping block! Dave __________________ 96 Vortech Cobra 406rwhp 94 "Mystic" Miata (actually Montego Blue) stiffened and ready for the track

04-26-2006, 10:01 PM	#8
bolt-on WingNuts Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Cereal City, USA Posts: 273	In the June issue of Car and Driver Magazine, Csaba Csere titles his column "Ford drives its 13-year-old SVT group off a cliff." He writes, "Associating the Cobra GT500 with Shelby has undoubtedly ignited a bright flame of publicity, but at the expense of the painstakingly built SVT brand." Also of interest on this topic, John Clor has changed the name of his column in Mustang Enthusiast Magazine from Inside SVT to Motor City Musings. The SVT name may still be around, but without its own marketing, engineering and dealer network, the magic is gone. John Coletti must have foreseen the future of his organization and retired rather than be part of its dismantling. __________________ Larry & Janice Bolton 1997 Crystal White Cobra Coupe (open-track ride) 1965 Tropical Turquoise Mustang 2+2 (cruise night car) 1997 Rio Red GT Convertible (MCA show pony) 2007 Vista Blue California Special (her summer daily driver)

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