I drove next to a SVT Focus in Westwood back in January. It had Michigan plates. I called WC Ford and asked my salesman about it. He said it's one that's driven around to dealers to show them.

 

Seems completely logical that they would be out daround since teh headquarters are there, but at the same time, it seems like Ford would only test'n'tune on a closed track or a huge parking lot in the middle of no where. Or sumthin..

 

As an example during the last 2 weeks:

I have seen 3 03 Navigators being tested in various suburbs of Detroit.

One siting was at night - HID lights & instrument panel caught my eye..

Sunday - the white one had all this tape & crap over it..

 

I believe it did have M plates on it. He got caught behind some traffic and I was able to pass him. Definitely the Cobra as it had the new hood.

This was also on Oakwood, right next to the Experimental Labs.

Bob

 

Early on in development, yes. But the cars need to be driven on public streets since you cannot completely duplicate reality in a track environment. The cars are first driven on the streets with lots of camo on, the Terminator ('03 Cobra) has been around the streets of dearborn with Camo on for many many many months. Now that it has been publically released, the camo is off and they are just running around with m-plates on. Same thing with the New Navigator...or any other car for that matter.

You'll be amazed at what you can see in the detroit area. From ALL of the big three.

 

If it wasn't for the weather, I'd move there!!

BTW, it's Foci, not Focuses!!!

JC

 

I used to live in Michigan too, and yeah, if you keep your eyes open, you see a lot of "concept" cars and pre-production cars puttering around. I'd imagine it'd be like living in some cottage next to a curvy road in Italy. For most of the day, it's cows and donkeys crossing by, and all of sudden, boom, a Lamborghini!

 

rickgig/tliss,
I happen to work at Ford. We have "M"plates running all over dearborn and lower Michigan. I have driven Aston Martin DB 7's the Vanquish 03 cobras and other vehicles I can't mention.

We drive these on the Dearborn Test track and take vehicles home doing development work away from the engineering center. If the vehicle hasn't been released to the public and it is out on the public roads it has camo on it.

We also ship vehicles to other states for testing. Hot,cold and high altitude testing. This explains why people see Michigan "M" plates out of state. Maybe i say the 03 cobra doesn't seem so special too me is b/c i have been in faster prototypes! What some on here is saying is true. Now that the 03 cobra has been released they have taken the camo off the early prototype builds.

I have the Best job! I work doing what i love too do. Build cars. No B.S here!

Thor