Is this true?

Ford has been listening to consumer demand for the Lightning after last year's truck sold out so quickly. Production will be stepped up from the 5,000 units manufactured in 2000 to 7,500 units for 2001. The first Lightnings should begin rolling off the factory lines in December with new units expected to show up in dealerships by January.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/auto...lightning.html

 

I personally think that the number is over rated, and that, they will have close to 7500, but not that exact amount. And I REALLY hope that the L's start coming off the lot in the end of december, early January, that would make my year!

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Black 2001 ordered and impatiently waiting.
<A HREF="Http://www.SVTperformance.com" TARGET=_blank> </A>

 

AMEN......

 

I was hoping Ford would not increase production. They did this with the 1st Gen, and then burned out the market. I just read a thread that some dealer in East US had atleast 5 '00 Lightnings on the lot.


They said 4000 per year until 2005, why can't they stick to that?

 

Tundra:

I believe that was a thread that I started. Actually, Castrucci Ford here in OHIO (not the East Coast) has seven new 2000's on the lot - every color available. I have a strong suspicion that this is due to "pricing policy" at this dealership. These are the same guys who offered their Cobra R at $109,000 firm.

 

Tundra,

I agree 100%. So much for our exclusivity. What, 2002 will be 10,000 units?

And I hate the way some dealers want to make conversational museum pieces out of their inventory. My dealer began that way when I bought mine.

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Single program
J.L. Stage II ram-air

 

Thats the whole reason I started to hate the R/T's. Ford is going to get an a$$ whooping if they don't stop makeing so many L's. 4000 a year and thats it. Thats the way it should be. I gues they lied when that sticker on my truck said excusivity. Hey I'm sorry but If you really want one of the 4000 that bad you'll get it. Not some guy driving down the street looking for a car, and he just happens to come across an L. Maybe I'm just blowing it out of proportion. I think they need a LightningR. That would be the only way I would trade my baby in. I love all you guys and love chating with you, but I know I not the only who doesn't want to see an L everday day. When I first got mine in 99, I didn't see another one for six months. Thats the way I like it. I think I need to get a cobraR. Only 300 of those. Sorry I get a little emotional.

 

I totally agree with RTKILLA. I don't think its right for ford to bump up the number. Its only going to depreciate the values of the older ones. Now everyone can just go to the dealership and get one. No big thing. Lightnings used to be Special.

 

Jeez, guys, don't open a vein. Its not like you see a Lightning in every other driveway. When you consider how many dealers are in this country, and how many cars and trucks get sold annually, 7500 is still a miniscule number. And Lightning sales weren't all that rapid this year, i think perhaps due to gas prices, so Ford may have trouble selling 7500 next year, if indeed they build that many. The great majority of truck buyers want an extended cab, anyway, so I wouldn't get my knickers in a knot over this rumor.

 

alphadoggy,

Sorry, I had a bad day. I just hate being lied to. Both by my dealer and by SVT. The "exclusivity" of 4k units per year is why my dealer's people had that smirky look on their face when I was "dealing" with them and I bent over touching my toes while they had their way. HaHaHa, it's an exclusive vehicle, we can't come down on the price!!! That's what makes me mad.

Heck, they can build 100k per year, just say so from the beginning so I don't get as excited about my exclusive truck when I'm paying a premium price. And don't tell the magazines something different either.

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Single program
J.L. Stage II ram-air

 

When dealers claim they can only get x number of SVTs each year and they encourage pre-ordering, this kind of news is a slap in the face. It's nearly double the production and half the excLuSiViTy. Those who pre-ordered and put down $$ find this disturbing.

I do think the slowing economy will probably dictate otherwise, but let's hope the article is in error.

Exclusivity is one of the MAJOR reasons behind the appeal. Otherwise we might as well be driving ubiquitous boxes. You would never consider pulling over and starting a conversation with another Camry driver would you? At least not unless she is really cute... I know that's a bit dramatic, but it will be truer than before.

Ps. My local SVT dealer also recently had 3 used '99-'00 Ls on the lot.

 

I hate to come off sounding so pissy..but If you want the exclusivity, Then dont buy a new one its that simple. No one is twisting your arm to buy a new one. If you want your "status" then just keep the old one. Ford Ups production because all they see is GREEN and in the real world, "Money talks and BS walks" Plain and clear. If it matters that much to you guys then just build yours to look unique, I mean It would be almost impossible for someone to have the same truck as you If you did some cool painting schemes, or something. Just my $.02

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When you here the whine a comin you best get a runnin!