Ford says, it's going to build an SVT truck.
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From: Chicagoland IL
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From: The Golden State
Re: Ford says, it's going to build an SVT truck.
Seems Mark Fields is reversing some of Ford's questionable decisions.
1st the discontinued Hurricane V8 is revived, now the stillborn Lightning or Adrenaline is back from the dead. SVT which seemed to be nothing more than an asterik at Ford is going to have it's 2 signature models (Mustang and a truck) that has been it's bread and butter, and seemingly is appriciated at Ford.
I really didn't expect much out of Mark Fields and viewed him as the face behind Ford going conservative. But now I think I can say I'm at least warming up to the guy.
1st the discontinued Hurricane V8 is revived, now the stillborn Lightning or Adrenaline is back from the dead. SVT which seemed to be nothing more than an asterik at Ford is going to have it's 2 signature models (Mustang and a truck) that has been it's bread and butter, and seemingly is appriciated at Ford.
I really didn't expect much out of Mark Fields and viewed him as the face behind Ford going conservative. But now I think I can say I'm at least warming up to the guy.
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From: Yadkinville, NC USA
Re: Ford says, it's going to build an SVT truck.
Although I am happy to see recognition of SVT from the 2nd-line of brass, I have some concerns about the depth of salvation here. How much of this swan-song is just wind in the trees, and how much of it is really music?
Their comment on the dissolution of the SVTOA magazine and merging of the other racing groups still makes me think that SVT is going to be a "me too" group inside Ford, instead of the premier "Look at ME" group it should be.
I think Ford is piling on the resources to sell Fusions from Nascar, Mustangs from NHRA/NMRA, and F150s from... well... anywhere they can. I DON'T think Ford is banking on their in-house tuners to do the job anymore, at least not like they did 10 years ago.
I also see Ford aligning themselves with aftermarket tuners even more... Saleen, Shelby, Roush, Steeda, and the likes. I really think Ford is wanting these companies to absorb the tooling costs, labor costs, and specialty design and engineering costs of doing unique, low-volume cars/trucks for the performance markets and the elite customer who wants the exclusivity. As long as Ford gets the sale of the base unit and their logo stays on the vehicle somewhere for adverts, they are happy. Think about it... the S197 was developed in large part with Dario Orlando of Steeda - even to the point of letting Steeda handle concept car work. Roush did engine design and testing, and is still doing it for the Mach 1 and other upcoming SE models. Ford is not really too shy about this outsourcing either, they just don't scream about it out loud. And it certainly doesn't hurt the aftermarket to have parts of your vehicle designed for "bolt-ons" and such from the beginning.
I guess I'm trying to say that I think Ford is searching for a new "happy medium", wherein they can reduce their developmental costs and operating costs for specialty vehicles and niche models, but still maintain a competitive stance with their blue oval on the vehicle someplace. They have done it before - the Mustang from 1987 through 1993 is a great example, where they offered a good base unit that might not have been the fastest thing on the road, but it offered potential. Then let the tuners, DIY's, and shadetree mechanics do what they wanted with SVO parts, FRPP parts, or tons of commercialized aftermarket parts from other vendors. It was unorthodox at the time - when there were IROCs, Firehawks, TT/TAs, Shelby Daytonas, Shelby Chargers and the like coming to showroom floors from the factory. For Ford to concede to offering a "slower" car from the showroom floor was tough, but look what it did in sales... and look at the following those Fox-bodies have today too... it was goofy, but it worked.
The landscape is changing again. This movement by carmakers to develop their in-house performance groups may backfire... PAG, SRT, SVT and the like may prove to be more financially burdening that profitable - even considering the wow-factor and incidental sales traffic they generate in dealerships. I simply have no conclusive data to show this at this time - I'm just guessing.
Regardless, I sure hope Mark and these guys are making the right decisions this time. It'd be a shame to see SVT bleed slowly and embarrassingly into oblivion after the reputation Colletti built for it. I'd rather it go out on top, and be remembered for glory. If it's back for good, and they intend to compete, I want to see Bill Ford (or Thai-Tang, or Fields, or ANYBODY) challenge Shrempp the way Colletti did... "While you are trying to take the spark out of our Lightning, we will be reducing your Viper to the level of a common garter snake" type of dialogue!
Godd@mmit... I miss Colletti (and his superscrotum).
Their comment on the dissolution of the SVTOA magazine and merging of the other racing groups still makes me think that SVT is going to be a "me too" group inside Ford, instead of the premier "Look at ME" group it should be.
I think Ford is piling on the resources to sell Fusions from Nascar, Mustangs from NHRA/NMRA, and F150s from... well... anywhere they can. I DON'T think Ford is banking on their in-house tuners to do the job anymore, at least not like they did 10 years ago.
I also see Ford aligning themselves with aftermarket tuners even more... Saleen, Shelby, Roush, Steeda, and the likes. I really think Ford is wanting these companies to absorb the tooling costs, labor costs, and specialty design and engineering costs of doing unique, low-volume cars/trucks for the performance markets and the elite customer who wants the exclusivity. As long as Ford gets the sale of the base unit and their logo stays on the vehicle somewhere for adverts, they are happy. Think about it... the S197 was developed in large part with Dario Orlando of Steeda - even to the point of letting Steeda handle concept car work. Roush did engine design and testing, and is still doing it for the Mach 1 and other upcoming SE models. Ford is not really too shy about this outsourcing either, they just don't scream about it out loud. And it certainly doesn't hurt the aftermarket to have parts of your vehicle designed for "bolt-ons" and such from the beginning.
I guess I'm trying to say that I think Ford is searching for a new "happy medium", wherein they can reduce their developmental costs and operating costs for specialty vehicles and niche models, but still maintain a competitive stance with their blue oval on the vehicle someplace. They have done it before - the Mustang from 1987 through 1993 is a great example, where they offered a good base unit that might not have been the fastest thing on the road, but it offered potential. Then let the tuners, DIY's, and shadetree mechanics do what they wanted with SVO parts, FRPP parts, or tons of commercialized aftermarket parts from other vendors. It was unorthodox at the time - when there were IROCs, Firehawks, TT/TAs, Shelby Daytonas, Shelby Chargers and the like coming to showroom floors from the factory. For Ford to concede to offering a "slower" car from the showroom floor was tough, but look what it did in sales... and look at the following those Fox-bodies have today too... it was goofy, but it worked.
The landscape is changing again. This movement by carmakers to develop their in-house performance groups may backfire... PAG, SRT, SVT and the like may prove to be more financially burdening that profitable - even considering the wow-factor and incidental sales traffic they generate in dealerships. I simply have no conclusive data to show this at this time - I'm just guessing.
Regardless, I sure hope Mark and these guys are making the right decisions this time. It'd be a shame to see SVT bleed slowly and embarrassingly into oblivion after the reputation Colletti built for it. I'd rather it go out on top, and be remembered for glory. If it's back for good, and they intend to compete, I want to see Bill Ford (or Thai-Tang, or Fields, or ANYBODY) challenge Shrempp the way Colletti did... "While you are trying to take the spark out of our Lightning, we will be reducing your Viper to the level of a common garter snake" type of dialogue!
Godd@mmit... I miss Colletti (and his superscrotum).
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From: Albany, NY
Re: Ford says, it's going to build an SVT truck.
I think the Adrenaline would sell better. 5 seats > 2 seats
..but I'd rather see what ever truck is lighter get built.
Colorado SS vs. SVT Sport Trac would be a nice rivalry. More affordable, faster, and better on gas then the bigger trucks.
..but I'd rather see what ever truck is lighter get built.
Colorado SS vs. SVT Sport Trac would be a nice rivalry. More affordable, faster, and better on gas then the bigger trucks.
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