68fastback
07-15-2010, 06:17 PM
2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 IN HIGH DEMAND, RAPIDLY APPROACHING PRODUCTION LIMIT
Annual production of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has been limited to 5,500 units to maintain exclusivity of the product
Demand for the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has exceeded expectations with more than 3,300 initial dealer and retail orders received to date
Premium features including the glass roof and the Electronics Package with SYNC, navigation and HD Radio™ are exceeding expectations as consumers show an appetite for new features and technology
More... (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=32974)
Hmmmm. A hard limit of 5,500! That's a different strategy than the original statement (March, as I recall) of the traditional and stated limiting the '12 GT500 to 10% of production. Also, Ford has noted that initial orders on the V6s were some 3-fold ahead of prior year, wo that should have further bumped GT500 potential numbers.
Well, the clear demand for this greatly-improved pony (the first one many feel they can happily live with totally stock, tho many won't -lol) makes a few thoughts come to mind:
1) Ford might have underestimated demand for Mustang overall and the GT500 could now be bumping supply contract numbers (especially on the SVT Pkg). If so, what might be the limiter be? Honsel? Tremec? Romeo-niche? Sunspots? ;-)
2) Ford might have planned a max supply limit of 5,500 all along (to contain the 5.4's CAFE impact or whatever) and only now might the order volumes be forcing this disclosure. I'd guess CAFE is not so critical for '11, but for '12?
3) Could this be the beginning of staging-down on the 5.4? If hard 5,500 limit on '11s, how many 2012s? Is the GT500 gone in 2013 as I've predicted or is this just telegraping a managed stage-down? Or not -lol
4) Remember Roadrunner? No, not that one. The one Ford execs intentionally leaked when Coyote info was first released -- by quipping in the context of a 5.0TT question that Roadrunner was the only thing that can whip a Coyote. :weg:
5) Two scenarios: 5.4 tapers down (whether 2012 is last or not) and SC'd 5.0 (fixed-disp or TT) either repleaces it (2013 King Cobra?) or, alternatively, maybe a GT/TT option to eat the Z28 and leave the GT500 (or a last-hurrah 5.4 '13 King Cobra) in it's own 'niche.'
Who knows? But it's fun to speculate. One thing is for sure: Ford has now changed the rules on the GT500 5.4 from 10% to 5,500 units -- period. That either telegraphs supply limits, CAFE/politics, and/or a new strategy of some kind -- and all threee of those could be related -- possibly even sequentially.
Now, back to your regularly schedulled programming -lol
This message brought to you by LIST (League of Incorrigible Strategists and Tecnologists) :rofl3:
================================================== =====================
[edit:] Note that 68% of GT500 orders are for SVT Package. Maybe they're running out of narrow stripes? :rofl:
Anyhow, this announcement is significant enough, imo, that I'm including full text of above click-thru below:
================================================== =====================
2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 IN HIGH DEMAND, RAPIDLY APPROACHING PRODUCTION LIMIT
Annual production of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has been limited to 5,500 units to maintain exclusivity of the product
Demand for the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has exceeded expectations with more than 3,300 initial dealer and retail orders received to date
Premium features including the glass roof and the Electronics Package with SYNC, navigation and HD Radio™ are exceeding expectations as consumers show an appetite for new features and technology
http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2011GT500.jpg
2011 Ford Shelby GT500
Login to download images. (http://media.ford.com/login.cfm?path_info=/article_display.cfm?article_id=32974)
DEARBORN, Mich., July 12, 2010 – Customer demand for Ford’s new 2011 Shelby GT500 is growing nearly as fast as the world’s fastest production pony car. More than 3,300 orders have been placed for the new Shelby GT500. To ensure exclusivity, U.S. sales of the 2011 Shelby GT500 will be limited to 5,500 units.
“We are pleased with the pace of retail orders for the 2011 Shelby GT500,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “The car continues to be popular with sports car enthusiasts and collectors who are blown away by the increase in horsepower and performance. The limited production of the 2011 should make this year even more desirable.”
The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by a new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase over the 2010 model. The engine is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.
The new engine uses a state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.
Customers are showing an appreciation for the GT500’s performance on and off the track, as well as its many features.
Standard 2011 performance features include the 550-horsepower aluminum 5.4-liter V8 engine, a new 2.75-inch exhaust system, revised brake cooling and pedal box construction for more consistent brake pedal efforts and feel, and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). SVT worked hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system, with improved torque build-up and road feel.
New for 2011 is an optional glass roof providing customers with yet another open-air option that does not compromise the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment. Three times more 2011 GT500s have been ordered with the glass roof compared to the base Mustang showing the popularity of this new feature.
Interior options have proven immensely popular, with almost 70 percent of the GT500s ordered with the Electronics Package, which includes voice-activated navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link™, HD Radio and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control.
The new SVT Performance Package is also proving to be a popular option with just over 68 percent of coupe orders selecting the enhanced performance delivered through this all-new option. The package was developed to provide track performance. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop all-new Goodyear EagleŽ F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that give this already great handling car supercar grip and control levels. The optional package also offers unique styling, staggered lighter wheels with 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears, a numerically higher rear axle ratio, stiffer springs and dampers, and a lowered ride height. The SVT Performance Package is available on both the coupe and convertible.
Other standard items new for 2011 include high-intensity discharge headlamps, MyKey™ programmable vehicle key, integrated spotter mirror and fold-down rear headrests.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln andMercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com (http://www.ford.com/).
================================================== =====================
Annual production of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has been limited to 5,500 units to maintain exclusivity of the product
Demand for the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has exceeded expectations with more than 3,300 initial dealer and retail orders received to date
Premium features including the glass roof and the Electronics Package with SYNC, navigation and HD Radio™ are exceeding expectations as consumers show an appetite for new features and technology
More... (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=32974)
Hmmmm. A hard limit of 5,500! That's a different strategy than the original statement (March, as I recall) of the traditional and stated limiting the '12 GT500 to 10% of production. Also, Ford has noted that initial orders on the V6s were some 3-fold ahead of prior year, wo that should have further bumped GT500 potential numbers.
Well, the clear demand for this greatly-improved pony (the first one many feel they can happily live with totally stock, tho many won't -lol) makes a few thoughts come to mind:
1) Ford might have underestimated demand for Mustang overall and the GT500 could now be bumping supply contract numbers (especially on the SVT Pkg). If so, what might be the limiter be? Honsel? Tremec? Romeo-niche? Sunspots? ;-)
2) Ford might have planned a max supply limit of 5,500 all along (to contain the 5.4's CAFE impact or whatever) and only now might the order volumes be forcing this disclosure. I'd guess CAFE is not so critical for '11, but for '12?
3) Could this be the beginning of staging-down on the 5.4? If hard 5,500 limit on '11s, how many 2012s? Is the GT500 gone in 2013 as I've predicted or is this just telegraping a managed stage-down? Or not -lol
4) Remember Roadrunner? No, not that one. The one Ford execs intentionally leaked when Coyote info was first released -- by quipping in the context of a 5.0TT question that Roadrunner was the only thing that can whip a Coyote. :weg:
5) Two scenarios: 5.4 tapers down (whether 2012 is last or not) and SC'd 5.0 (fixed-disp or TT) either repleaces it (2013 King Cobra?) or, alternatively, maybe a GT/TT option to eat the Z28 and leave the GT500 (or a last-hurrah 5.4 '13 King Cobra) in it's own 'niche.'
Who knows? But it's fun to speculate. One thing is for sure: Ford has now changed the rules on the GT500 5.4 from 10% to 5,500 units -- period. That either telegraphs supply limits, CAFE/politics, and/or a new strategy of some kind -- and all threee of those could be related -- possibly even sequentially.
Now, back to your regularly schedulled programming -lol
This message brought to you by LIST (League of Incorrigible Strategists and Tecnologists) :rofl3:
================================================== =====================
[edit:] Note that 68% of GT500 orders are for SVT Package. Maybe they're running out of narrow stripes? :rofl:
Anyhow, this announcement is significant enough, imo, that I'm including full text of above click-thru below:
================================================== =====================
2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 IN HIGH DEMAND, RAPIDLY APPROACHING PRODUCTION LIMIT
Annual production of the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has been limited to 5,500 units to maintain exclusivity of the product
Demand for the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has exceeded expectations with more than 3,300 initial dealer and retail orders received to date
Premium features including the glass roof and the Electronics Package with SYNC, navigation and HD Radio™ are exceeding expectations as consumers show an appetite for new features and technology
http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2011GT500.jpg
2011 Ford Shelby GT500
Login to download images. (http://media.ford.com/login.cfm?path_info=/article_display.cfm?article_id=32974)
DEARBORN, Mich., July 12, 2010 – Customer demand for Ford’s new 2011 Shelby GT500 is growing nearly as fast as the world’s fastest production pony car. More than 3,300 orders have been placed for the new Shelby GT500. To ensure exclusivity, U.S. sales of the 2011 Shelby GT500 will be limited to 5,500 units.
“We are pleased with the pace of retail orders for the 2011 Shelby GT500,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “The car continues to be popular with sports car enthusiasts and collectors who are blown away by the increase in horsepower and performance. The limited production of the 2011 should make this year even more desirable.”
The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by a new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase over the 2010 model. The engine is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.
The new engine uses a state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.
Customers are showing an appreciation for the GT500’s performance on and off the track, as well as its many features.
Standard 2011 performance features include the 550-horsepower aluminum 5.4-liter V8 engine, a new 2.75-inch exhaust system, revised brake cooling and pedal box construction for more consistent brake pedal efforts and feel, and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). SVT worked hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system, with improved torque build-up and road feel.
New for 2011 is an optional glass roof providing customers with yet another open-air option that does not compromise the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment. Three times more 2011 GT500s have been ordered with the glass roof compared to the base Mustang showing the popularity of this new feature.
Interior options have proven immensely popular, with almost 70 percent of the GT500s ordered with the Electronics Package, which includes voice-activated navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link™, HD Radio and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control.
The new SVT Performance Package is also proving to be a popular option with just over 68 percent of coupe orders selecting the enhanced performance delivered through this all-new option. The package was developed to provide track performance. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop all-new Goodyear EagleŽ F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that give this already great handling car supercar grip and control levels. The optional package also offers unique styling, staggered lighter wheels with 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears, a numerically higher rear axle ratio, stiffer springs and dampers, and a lowered ride height. The SVT Performance Package is available on both the coupe and convertible.
Other standard items new for 2011 include high-intensity discharge headlamps, MyKey™ programmable vehicle key, integrated spotter mirror and fold-down rear headrests.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln andMercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com (http://www.ford.com/).
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