SVT alive and well? MERGED
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,297
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From: Clifton, NJ, USA
Originally Posted by Silver_2000
It doesnt have to be losing money to be cut. Could be making less money than other parts. Or could be making more money but is easier to cut and keep the core competencies. Do you really think the factories that closed were operating in the red ? Some maybe but not all - They were simply strategically the best choice to axe...
Money makers can and do get cut to "buckle down" and work on "core competencies" quite often.
...and not all money loosing ideas seem to get cut either. Anyone think that "REBATES" on cars are still a good thing for the companies making them?
--Dan
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 343
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From: Southern New England.
I came across a very interesting article yesterday. I believe it was the June 2005 issue of Motortrend.
It talked about SVT and the leader at the time John Coletti and I believe it greatly contributed to Fords issue with SVT.
It covered how Coletti was the primary person pushing the Ford Supercar (GT40). Seems Ford saw the money being made by Saleen and the S7 ($300,000+) and they thought they could build a comparable car for $140,000 or so.
the article went on to talk about problems that developed in early GT40s that were sold.
mainly-Cracked suspension arms, and then later engine problems.
It was a very interesting article. End result was Ford had to spend $5000 to fix every one of the early 100+ cars sold.
Then a issue with the finish on a internal component of the GT40's engine that caused a engine leak. Before this came to a head, It said that Coletti (50 yrs) retired unexpectely. Along with his departure, 10 other employees depart from Ford at the same time. Then we hear about SVTs demise.
The article also covered how Ford planned on using Saleen and Roush to work with them on Ford performance programs. To some of you this may/or may not be new news, but it answered a few of my questions about SVT.
Do I think their dead? not completely. Do I think Ford with still build performance vehicle...Yes. they will have to if they wish to remain competive with what other automakers build.
But I think they will think real hard on any project...earnings must be their bottom line.
It talked about SVT and the leader at the time John Coletti and I believe it greatly contributed to Fords issue with SVT.
It covered how Coletti was the primary person pushing the Ford Supercar (GT40). Seems Ford saw the money being made by Saleen and the S7 ($300,000+) and they thought they could build a comparable car for $140,000 or so.
the article went on to talk about problems that developed in early GT40s that were sold.
mainly-Cracked suspension arms, and then later engine problems.
It was a very interesting article. End result was Ford had to spend $5000 to fix every one of the early 100+ cars sold.
Then a issue with the finish on a internal component of the GT40's engine that caused a engine leak. Before this came to a head, It said that Coletti (50 yrs) retired unexpectely. Along with his departure, 10 other employees depart from Ford at the same time. Then we hear about SVTs demise.
The article also covered how Ford planned on using Saleen and Roush to work with them on Ford performance programs. To some of you this may/or may not be new news, but it answered a few of my questions about SVT.
Do I think their dead? not completely. Do I think Ford with still build performance vehicle...Yes. they will have to if they wish to remain competive with what other automakers build.
But I think they will think real hard on any project...earnings must be their bottom line.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,297
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From: Clifton, NJ, USA
Originally Posted by RUN351
I came across a very interesting article yesterday. I believe it was the June 2005 issue of Motortrend.
It talked about SVT and the leader at the time John Coletti and I believe it greatly contributed to Fords issue with SVT.
It covered how Coletti was the primary person pushing the Ford Supercar (GT40). Seems Ford saw the money being made by Saleen and the S7 ($300,000+) and they thought they could build a comparable car for $140,000 or so.
the article went on to talk about problems that developed in early GT40s that were sold.
mainly-Cracked suspension arms, and then later engine problems.
It was a very interesting article. End result was Ford had to spend $5000 to fix every one of the early 100+ cars sold.
Then a issue with the finish on a internal component of the GT40's engine that caused a engine leak. Before this came to a head, It said that Coletti (50 yrs) retired unexpectely. Along with his departure, 10 other employees depart from Ford at the same time. Then we hear about SVTs demise.
The article also covered how Ford planned on using Saleen and Roush to work with them on Ford performance programs. To some of you this may/or may not be new news, but it answered a few of my questions about SVT.
Do I think their dead? not completely. Do I think Ford with still build performance vehicle...Yes. they will have to if they wish to remain competive with what other automakers build.
But I think they will think real hard on any project...earnings must be their bottom line.
It talked about SVT and the leader at the time John Coletti and I believe it greatly contributed to Fords issue with SVT.
It covered how Coletti was the primary person pushing the Ford Supercar (GT40). Seems Ford saw the money being made by Saleen and the S7 ($300,000+) and they thought they could build a comparable car for $140,000 or so.
the article went on to talk about problems that developed in early GT40s that were sold.
mainly-Cracked suspension arms, and then later engine problems.
It was a very interesting article. End result was Ford had to spend $5000 to fix every one of the early 100+ cars sold.
Then a issue with the finish on a internal component of the GT40's engine that caused a engine leak. Before this came to a head, It said that Coletti (50 yrs) retired unexpectely. Along with his departure, 10 other employees depart from Ford at the same time. Then we hear about SVTs demise.
The article also covered how Ford planned on using Saleen and Roush to work with them on Ford performance programs. To some of you this may/or may not be new news, but it answered a few of my questions about SVT.
Do I think their dead? not completely. Do I think Ford with still build performance vehicle...Yes. they will have to if they wish to remain competive with what other automakers build.
But I think they will think real hard on any project...earnings must be their bottom line.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 5
From: NC
[QUOTE=SVT_KY]A few points ...
The GT was never intended to be produced for more than two years.
The car cannot meet side airbag rules for 2007.
No matter how succesful a "halo" program is, when the money gets
tight, everything is on the block. Hell, they turned out every other
flourescent light at Lexmark to save money. Some hallways are REALLY
dark because they are in the process of laying off 60 PERCENT of the
workers. What's driving this? People that want the cheapest goods
in the world, produced in a Global Economy. You can bitch all you
want, Macro-Economics will rule all decisions. It's sink or swim for
just about every U.S. company. IBM sold PC business to a freaking
Chinese company, fer pete's sake. (Lenova, and they are building some
really neat new thinkbooks!)
I agree,
I'm currently replacing 8000 ballasts and deleting a lot of lights at IBM in Vermont.
The GT was never intended to be produced for more than two years.
The car cannot meet side airbag rules for 2007.
No matter how succesful a "halo" program is, when the money gets
tight, everything is on the block. Hell, they turned out every other
flourescent light at Lexmark to save money. Some hallways are REALLY
dark because they are in the process of laying off 60 PERCENT of the
workers. What's driving this? People that want the cheapest goods
in the world, produced in a Global Economy. You can bitch all you
want, Macro-Economics will rule all decisions. It's sink or swim for
just about every U.S. company. IBM sold PC business to a freaking
Chinese company, fer pete's sake. (Lenova, and they are building some
really neat new thinkbooks!)
I agree,
I'm currently replacing 8000 ballasts and deleting a lot of lights at IBM in Vermont.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey, USA
Wow... It's that bad that a big corporation has to turn off every other light? That just doesn't sound good to me! Is it really getting that bad out there?
The show Top Gear mentioned that the f150 was the worlds #1 selling vehicle... how can you have the #1 selling vehicle in sales numbers and yet be doing so badly?
The show Top Gear mentioned that the f150 was the worlds #1 selling vehicle... how can you have the #1 selling vehicle in sales numbers and yet be doing so badly?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, KY
Originally Posted by emig5m
Wow... It's that bad that a big corporation has to turn off every other light? That just doesn't sound good to me!
Is it really getting that bad out there?
Is it really getting that bad out there?
Well, the new signs in the bathroom may be an indication:
"If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown, flush it down"
"The grey water from this facility is being recycled to the gym drinking fountains ... Think Green, Act Mean!"
Last edited by SVT_KY; Apr 17, 2006 at 11:07 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, KY
Originally Posted by evo
I agree, I'm currently replacing 8000 ballasts and deleting a
lot of lights at IBM in Vermont.
lot of lights at IBM in Vermont.
Yeah our halls are awful dark in Lexington ...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,097
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From: DETROIT, (formerly Eaton County, Michigan)
Originally Posted by RUN351
The article also covered how Ford planned on using Saleen and Roush to work with them on Ford performance programs. To some of you this may/or may not be new news, but it answered a few of my questions about SVT.
.
.
EXACTLY! FORD does not need SVT. period. as much as we as fans would like to see SVT, it is a drain on Ford. If they can outsource the design and R&D, then build it along the F150 (for the lighting) or Mustang (for the SHelby), think of what Ford saves?
Insurance, retirement, salary etc...
Ford is large enough where they can dictate the terms of any contract they enter.
Put yourself in Ford's Shoes for a second. Would you spend $250,000.00 to build yourself a house, or hire someone for $125,000 to build the exact thing to your specifications?
Ford has been using Saleen, Roush, Heck Even Paul at Pauls Hi Performance was conducting tests on the new mustangs before they were released. I think Livernois performance had on also (I could be wrong there, but I recall a post on a local forum where they were talking about it).
I recall reading an article years ago about GM. One of their guys wanted to outsource everything (including assembly) and just use GM as a marketing tool. GENIUS!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,066
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From: Delcambre, La
No one mentioned it but fuel prices have been on the rise. Maybe i'm to young and this trend has been going on since the 60's, but I would think the "big wigs" may have thought ahead to a greener future. Maybe thinking performance vehicles/ big trucks/ suv's were going to take a dive (which they did) and less people would be interested in spending lots of money for a vehicle only to pump lots of money (fuel) into it! (Hell that sounds like most of us here).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 236
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From: Louisiana
Could this be true ?! SVT Lives!
Check out this article on autoweeks website. It was published 4/17/06 SVT Lives. Check it out tell me what you guys think
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60417001/1041
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60417001/1041
