Letter from Ford to it's employees regarding the Lightning
 

Got this info from another site.:(



This is a copy of the letter written to all Ford Motor Company employees released on Thursday of this week:

Ford Motor Company has scrapped plans for the 2006 SVT F-150 Lightning pickup truck. First shown at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, the Lightning concept had 500 horsepower and was powered by the same V8 as in the Ford GT super car. Ford is focusing its attention to the SVT Mustang instead. We've needed to concentrate most of our resources to the [2006] Cobra, says Allan Hall, SVT communications manager. SVT is a small group with a small budget. The next-generation programs are more complex than anything we've ever done and more differentiated. It was a necessary move. Special Vehicles Team (SVT) is a factory performance offshoot of Ford. The first-generation Lightning came out in 1993 with a 240-hp V8 and was put on hold in 1995. It returned in 1999 as a 360-hp tarmac burner and remained largely unchanged until 2004. While Ford of Canada will not confirm or deny reports regarding future products, Mr. Hall says it is possible the Lightning could re-emerge in 2008 or later.

Dam.. Very sad...

PEacE...................
Jim

A four year hiatus isn't a bad thing. What do you think is going to happen to the aftermarket for the Gen 2, if they come out with a Gen 3 right away? Kaput!

I never got that email!:rolleyes:

neither did I?:confused:

What's the source for this letter. I work for ford in windsor ontario and this is the first I've heard of any letter.

didn't recieve that e-mail either:lol:

Seems a little shotty in the grammar department to be coming from senior management at Ford.

Then again, who I am? :devil:

I don't know why it is so hard for them to make the GenIII Lightning.

They have all the parts to make a 500HP Lightning

5.4 engine, same as whats in our trucks, and Manly conecting rods

3V heads like on the Navigator or 05 Mustang

Wipple 2.3 twin screw supercharger

Bingo easy 500HP

It wasn't in an e-mail, it was one of the items on the 'clip sheet" which is just an internal website that links to articles about the company on the web, it's not an official Ford document.

G

I agree 9000%.

But i guess they figured its not the best way for them to be making money right now. I guess the mustang is looked at as more of a money maker. But a new lightning does sound rather tempting.

So who would spread this kind of rumor on Ford's internal website, if it is indeed a rumor?:mad: Hopefully it's just that.

I think that this "internal memo" is actually some sort of press release.

The text that you quote appeared almost verbatim in the National Post on 10/29. (See below)
-----------------------------------------------------

National Post
(c) 2004 National Post . All Rights Reserved.

Friday, October 29, 2004

Special Report: Driver's Edge

Ford puts high-performance SVT Lightning pickup on the back burner

Robbie Friedman
National Post

Ford Motor Company has scrapped plans for the 2006 SVT F-150 Lightning pickup truck. First shown at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, the Lightning concept had 500 horsepower and was powered by the same V8 as in the Ford GT supercar. Ford is focusing its attention to the SVT Mustang instead. "We've needed to concentrate most of our resources to the [2006] Cobra," says Allan Hall, SVT communications manager. "SVT is a small group with a small budget. The next-generation programs are more complex than anything we've ever done and more differentiated. It was a necessary move." Special Vehicles Team (SVT) is a factory performance offshoot of Ford. The first-generation Lightning came out in 1993 with a 240-hp V8 and was put on hold in 1995. It returned in 1999 as a 360-hp tarmac burner and remained largely unchanged until 2004. While Ford of Canada will not confirm or deny reports regarding future products, Mr.

Hall says it is possible the Lightning could re-emerge in 2008 or later.

Sad for those whom intended on buying a Gen III Lightning or those who don't have a Lightning. BUT!!! for those of us who love our lightnings, this could actually increase or better hold our value. In the event that the Lightning is scrapped for good, these trucks are gonna be worth a pretty penny.

I'm so sick of this "resale value" thing.... :smoke:

-Mike