In the weeks surrounding Ford’s “Way Forward” announcement, there was a great deal of speculation that the SVT performance division would be closed. Later, it was revealed the Ford had decided to keep the unit alive. So what exactly went into that decision? According to SVT’s product director Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s top brass concluded “SVT still fits.” Thai-Tang said in a recent interview with Edmunds that the issue was not whether Ford would have high-performance vehicles, but rather if SVT needed its own specific label. The conclusion, he said, was that the SVT brand still hold a lot of weight, so it will be kept. However, SVT will be less prominent in the immediate future. “We are not going to do everything we want to do,” he admitted. For the time being, SVT will focus on the GT500 and a high-performance Truck, Thai-Tang said.
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06/16, 9:09 AM
posted by:
Mike
After watching the Ram SRT-10 stomp all over any/all bragging rights on its way to becoming a non-seller, ford has decided to focus on a hi-po truck? brilliant. they must have had a team of monkeys working around the clock on this one.
06/16, 9:37 AM
posted by:
James
I think they forgot what a lost leader is.
06/16, 9:49 AM
posted by:
BB
[The conclusion, he said, was that the SVT brand still hold a lot of weight, so it will be kept. However, SVT will be less prominent in the immediate future. “We are not going to do everything we want to do,� he admitted.]
WTF? If that isn’t the most wishy washy decision, I don’t know what is. It still leaves the gate open to either killing the entire division or keeping it alive based on sales. Again I say to Bill, Mark, and Hau: Make up your F U C K I N G minds and either commit and grow the brand or not. Mercede’s AMG and BMW’s M didn’t get to where they are now because of such statements.
Hell, I’ve always like Ford over GM (and believe me, I hate GM) but at least GM is making some pretty clear statements about how they are moving forward — much moreso than Ford. Fields should learn something from Lutz. Shame on the Dearborn guys.
06/16, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Zan
You have to have solid cars before you can make sport versions of them, however I would like them to keep SVT for future use.
06/16, 2:30 PM
posted by:
Bill Ford
No comment.
06/16, 4:18 PM
posted by:
Way Backward
Way to go!
06/17, 4:56 AM
posted by:
Steve
SVT should be more than street performance. A specialized off road Explorer with a more powerful engine and a safari feel would be cool. That said something called the Mustang SVT would be nice. It could have the same engine as the GT500 except not supercharged. There are lots of things they could do. They just need to be willing to fail a few times.
06/19, 7:07 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Focus SVT is yummy when Cosworth powered… try their 2.3 out – over 240bhp normally aspirated…