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Its offical....SVT Focus DEAD after 2004!!!

2.9K views 68 replies 49 participants last post by  racerx  
#1 ·
Off Blueovalnews Message board on Mustang Cobra form

SVT PROGRAM UPDATE



Purpose

The following information is being provided to help dealers plan their 2004MY (model year) SVT sales strategies.



Background

The recent introduction of the new F-150 and the upcoming replacement of the Mustang have generated inquiries from customers and dealers regarding plans for SVT derivatives of these new models.



SVT Product Cycle Plan

2004MY will be the last year of production for the current generation of SVT products, including the Cobra, Lightning and SVT Focus. 2004MY production of all three products will end during the second quarter of the 2004 calendar year. There will be no 2005MY versions of the Cobra, Lightning or SVT Focus. The rollout of the next generation SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning will begin with the 2006MY. At this time there are no plans to introduce a replacement for the SVT Focus. Information on the 2006MY SVT products will be released at a later date.



SVT Dealer Program

Although there will be no SVT vehicles produced for the 2005MY, the SVT dealer program will be in place and operational to meet service and other needs of current SVT customers. Dealers will continue to receive SVT support, including the SVT InfoCenter (1-800-FORD-SVT), www.svt.ford.com and merchandising materials. The SVT Premium Service program and the SVT Owners Association will remain operational, and SVT will continue to maintain a presence at enthusiast events. Information on dealer enrollment for the 2006 MY SVT program will be communicated at a later date.



Standard Launch Timing

The SVT versions of the next generation products are on a standard development and launch timing plan—they have not been delayed. The actual timing of SVT derivatives is driven by the timing of the vehicle programs on which they are based. The timing of the 2006MY SVT products is consistent with past practice.



Future SVT Programs

The level of unique engineering and content in SVT vehicles has been increasing virtually every year since SVT was created. Indeed, the change to new platforms and assembly facilities for the new F-150 and Mustang will make these programs the largest and most complex in SVT's history. However, these outstanding new platforms will provide the opportunity to enhance not only the performance, but also the quality, craftsmanship, and overall refinement of the SVT product lineup. This, along with the unique expertise SVT has developed in over ten years of operation, will ensure the next generation of SVT products will be the most exciting ever, and will continue to dominate the performance landscape for many years to come.



We encourage you to share this information with your sales and service teams and with your SVT customers. If you have any questions, please contact the SVT InfoCenter at 1-800-367-3788 (1-800-FORD-SVT). However, please remember that that we are unable to release any information on 2006MY SVT products at this time.
 
#2 ·
Damn... it's a shame to see the SVT Focus go. Hopefully, they'll revive it once a better platform is available, because it'd be a shame to see Ford abandon a great product.

Guess I bought my '03 SVTF euro package at the right time, though I'm saddened to see there will be no more of them after this year.
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#6 ·
Why would they keep making a car they can't sell.......
You know in 2 years of owning mine I've seen ONE commercial for the SVT Focus... and a million for the new caddies (for example).

The pocket rocket segment was a new one (or at least one long neglected) to Ford. Ya' can't sell a car you don't market
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#7 ·
Thats really sad to hear. The SVT Focus is probaly the best Ford division car they make.
SVTF and the new Cobra. This is sad. They'll never learn. ALL domestic manufacturers have a performance version of their compact car now, and FORD IS BACKING OUT. The SRT-4, Ion Redline...
It's not like I was going to buy another Ford in Michigan anyways, with dealer service departments sucking bone like they do, but it still ticks me off.
 
#8 ·
So the SVT Focus is dead? Does that exclude any high-powered Focus being produced?

Is the Focus RS an SVT product?
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I know this is being stupidly optimistic, but I'm not into brands; when the time comes, I'll buy whatever car is the best for me at that time. If Ford can't do it, someone else will.
 
#11 ·
Well just FYI, I've heard differently (2nd hand) from some higher ups within SVT. That there still is plans for a new SVT focus. Maybe not in 2005, but there are plans.

No of course these are all rumblings from the underground, and I don't think we'll know for sure till the time comes.
 
#13 ·
I can't say I am surprised. Lets look at the facts:

1) The SVT has not been selling well at all.
2) The 2.3L Duratech performance factor (ie: The SVT engine setup doesn't have the same advantages over the Duratec that is did the regular Zetec)
3) Ford Focus Production ending in Mexico. It would be foolish to retool a train a new plant for a product that isn't selling.

The writing has been on the wal for a good while now, as some of us tryed to sugest prior.

All that aside the SVT is still a kick ass ride and great bang for buck. If the situation really bothers you, write Ford and tell them you are disappointed to see them go. Just maybe that will inspire them to bring a replacement out.
 
#14 ·
I can't say I am surprised. Lets look at the facts:


3) Ford Focus Production ending in Mexico. It would be foolish to retool a train a new plant for a product that isn't selling.
Ahh... that should have been enough of a sign... forgot about that.
 
#15 ·
I can't say I am surprised. Lets look at the facts:

1) The SVT has not been selling well at all.
2) The 2.3L Duratech performance factor (ie: The SVT engine setup doesn't have the same advantages over the Duratec that is did the regular Zetec)
3) Ford Focus Production ending in Mexico. It would be foolish to retool a train a new plant for a product that isn't selling.

The writing has been on the wal for a good while now, as some of us tryed to sugest prior.

All that aside the SVT is still a kick ass ride and great bang for buck. If the situation really bothers you, write Ford and tell them you are disappointed to see them go. Just maybe that will inspire them to bring a replacement out.
Make alot of good points, but then again no one truly knows how well the SVT Focus sold over all. Look at the new SI...the sales on that where crappy and Honda is still making it and there isn't any plans to can it from what I know. SVT for the most part is a Halo car for its car line and there aren't expectations of selling 100K units of them. Only reason that the SVT Contour didnt last longer was because the Contour itself died. Thats what makes this really werid. The cost of developing the SVT wasn't that much considering that they sell the ST170 over in Europe and that helped offset development costs of it.

Although this really sucks and all, but I believe the whole root of the Problem is that Ford is in bad shape and they can't spend the $$$ to make the SVT the head of its class and decided to kill the car now, instead of damaging SVT reputuation of having class leading vechicles. Add in the other factors of the Refreshing next year and the move of production to Wanye, it adds up to a really bad situation for the car. Just a shame to see the car get canceled with it only being out on the market under 2 years
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#17 ·
I can't say I am surprised. Lets look at the facts:

1) The SVT has not been selling well at all.
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What makes you say this? Please back this statement up with some facts. John Colleti himself said that its because of the SVT Focus that SVT had their most profitable year ever. Yes, SVT is one of the few profitable divisions of Ford.

Sure, some places might of had a hard time moving them (Canada.. dooh!), but others certainly have no problem what so ever. Just because you hear about cars still sitting on lots doesn't mean sales were bad. It also has a lot to do with crappy dealerships knowing nothing about the car and just slapping ridiculous markups on them.
 
#18 ·
I can't say I am surprised. Lets look at the facts:

1) The SVT has not been selling well at all.
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What makes you say this? Please back this statement up with some facts. John Colleti himself said that its because of the SVT Focus that SVT had their most profitable year ever. Yes, SVT is one of the few profitable divisions of Ford.

Sure, some places might of had a hard time moving them (Canada.. dooh!), but others certainly have no problem what so ever. Just because you hear about cars still sitting on lots doesn't mean sales were bad. It also has a lot to do with crappy dealerships knowing nothing about the car and just slapping ridiculous markups on them.
Okay, sorry I do not have any "facts". What I do have though is the knowledge that of the 6 states I've been in in the last month all of them have 2003's with $3000 dollar rebates on them. And now there are 2004's showing up with $1000 rebates.

When I personally see a car sit on a lot for 8 months, a "hot" car that continues to NOT sell even with massive rebates, I take that as slow sales.

Also, you can not take profit as a means of measure of how much a car(s) is selling.
 
#20 ·
I am not sure why people would think the aftermarket support would disappear. The car was going to change alot in the next two years, to the point most changes would require changes in aftermarket parts for the current model. What matters is that we continue to mod our cars. I think that in a few years our cars will be sought after, and resale will be strong. This reminds me of my Honda Hawk GT motorcycle. They could not give these bikes away, but they were one of the most advanced bikes of their time. Now they are a cult bike, fetching more than their orignal price. It took time for the word to get around.

People, lets keep the faith.
 
#21 ·
I'm with you. Take for example the MK3 VW Golf/Jetta/Cabrio (93-98). Although there were more VW's sold than SVTF's, companies are continuing to perform research and development on new products...and VW just released the MK5 in Europe. So, granted, the sales aren't as strong. However, is customers demand quality products, the aftermarket will cater. If we demand nothing more than altezza taillights and 3 foot wings, we'll never get anything else. Besides, the SVTF is a tricky car to tune because of its advanced level of factory tune, and the complex ECU used to drive it all...development takes time. All we have to do is show an interest in these cars and things will happen. My suggestion: email companies looking for parts, whether they exist or not. If that company is worth their webpage, they'll do some market research and see if a particular product has a future.
 
#22 ·
Well just FYI, I've heard differently (2nd hand) from some higher ups within SVT. That there still is plans for a new SVT focus. Maybe not in 2005, but there are plans.

No of course these are all rumblings from the underground, and I don't think we'll know for sure till the time comes.
I wouldn't start holding your breathe until at least 2007MY thats when it MIGHT come back as of right now. Ford just doesn't understand the compact crowd, they have a 215hp turbo engine sitting over in europe. We don't need a wider track and sparco seats with leather, but they want to push that. Bring over the RS engine in a 2005 Focus and we'll be able to beat SRT's on roadcourses all day and still do it for under 20k.

Too bad they won't open their eye's......
 
#25 ·
SVT Focus DEAD after 2004!!!

SVTF needed more power from the start. 02 was the learning time
03-04 should have been the shine time, Turbo..... LSD........ WTF
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If they would have heard the MANY request for more out the the focus
not just pretty seats and new HD lights
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I'm very disappointed in FoMoCo.
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All the other car makers are going strong into the sport compact
SEMA was a great example of the big sport crowd

O-well............ SVT........ R.I.P.
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#26 ·
Re: SVT Focus DEAD after 2004!!!

Maybe there is no SVT Focus listed in this information because the next generation platform has not been scheduled for release, like the Mustang and F-150. If and when the new Focus comes out in North America it will be a shame if SVT does not take advantage of the increased chaise stiffness and the 2.3L engine option lying around. I think maybe if SVT did something to this next generation Focus (if it comes out here) it will be a chance to rule the segment for quite a while, even if we won’t see one for a few years. Just a thought.
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