Some more detail is surfacing. INFORMATION 2016 Ford GT Program Update SUMMARY The purpose of this communication is to provide dealers with new information on the Ford GT program and establish timing expectations for the ordering process. Ford GT Program Update Raj Nair, Fords Global Director of Product Development will be making the following announcement to a gathering of Ford GT owners on Thursday, August 27, 2015: Ford will introduce a unique ordering process for the all-new Ford GT supercar, with the program commencing in early 2016. Ford GTs will be assigned based on a customer application process, offering a personalized experience for every Ford GTbuyer. Anyone can apply; priority will be given to loyal Ford customers including current Ford GT owners. Applicants selected through the process will be assigned a car by Ford and complete their purchase through a Ford GT certified dealership of their choice. Additional Information for Dealers The Ford GT customer application process will begin in early 2016. Details on the application process will be provided closer to the application process start date. Ford dealers will be able to opt-in and certify to sell the Ford GT. Details on the sales certification requirements will be communicated later this year. A separate process will be established for Ford Dealership owners who wish to register and own a new Ford GT. Limited production, high cost materials/parts and unique technologies will require unique factory-sponsored processes and resources to support customers and dealers. A separate service opt-in and certification process will be communicated in Q2/Q3 2016. We recommend that dealers refrain from taking customer deposits. As we continue to develop and refine the unique customer selection, allocation, and distribution processes for this extremely low-volume supercar, we will keep dealers fully informed. Key Ford GT Product/Program Information (previously announced) The Ford GT is an exciting demonstration of Fords capabilities and our culture of innovation & passion. Ford Performance will begin racing the new Ford GT in 2016 in both the Tudor/IMSA and WEC road car racing series including a return to LeMans 50 years after the GT40 programs historic 1-2-3 finish in 1966. Production of the Ford GT road car will begin in late 2016 at dedicated facility in Markham, Ontario; global volume will be 250 vehicles per year. The all-new Ford GT will be priced to compete with exotic sports cars including Lamborghini, Ferrari and McLaren. Key vehicle specs: Lightweight construction - 100% carbon fiber body panels and passenger cell Aerodynamic design and active features including speed-activated deployable rear wing 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine producing over 600hp
Am I the only one who is concerned that a V6 turbo with over 600 HP might become a problem? Turbo lag, strange exhaust note, too high strung? It might be a great track car but how does that play on city streets? Numbers are one thing but driver experience is another.
The car has more lines of computer code thank Boeing 747. I believe they will have many driving profiles you can adjust that map throttle curve, suspension stiffness, steering feel, transmission. Using these tools you would be able to dramatically change the driving characteristics. Even if it is high strung who cares the car is so incredible looking and rare it won't really matter. Those who get chosen to buy one are privileged and lucky. Each will have a million plus car who's value will only keep going up.
That's a ridiculous assertion. They are building a car to go racing that has an extremely time-intensive construction process. The car is priced significantly under what it's market value will be, and they have structured an allocation process to ensure the cars that do get sold go to loyal Ford customers that will drive the car and are unlikely to sell it. They want the car out on the road, in the hands of people that want it to drive it, not to stuff it in a collection. Rewarding people that bought a $139k car ten years ago that had absolutely zero idea this car even existed until several months ago is hardly "wine and cheese."
Should we be taking bets as to the first F-Chatter to get one??? I have my thoughts on that subject, quite a few very qualified candidates here (excluding me - I don't own a Ford GT, or a Ford for that matter, and I'm relatively "poor")!!!
Sorry I simply disagree. They are entering the exact same model as Ferrari and it's supercars like the Enzo, F50, and LaFerrari. Even the 458 Speciale Aperta went only to "special" people. The Ford GT car was to be for the Budweiser types. Anyone could buy one, not just "the privileged few" on "the list". It's disappointing they are taking the Ferrari business model in allocating this car.
That was exactly what I was thinking. So, when people whine that if you want a new Ferrari model, you have to buy the old model first to get on "the list", will we also whine that Ford is adopting their policies and play this game? It wouldn't surprise me if Dealers take in used Ford GT's offering rock bottom prices, put them on the list, then resell them to someone else so that these people can get "on the list". Sound familiar?
It's not me. It's Ford. Too bad you like being screwed over by an Italian company and an American company.
It is not the same model as Ferrari. At all. Ferrari insists you buy a succession of old cars to purchase a never ending succession of new cars. Buy a used this, then a used that, order a new this, wait 3 years, some day you get to 2 years, someday you're at the top of the list. This is completely (and obviously) different. The 05/06 GT is a ten year old car. Ford is not regularly in the super car business. In searching for the best way to ensure passionate enthusiasts who will drive the car get it, those that were loyal to the prior generation for no reason other than their love of the car get preference on the new, and to virtually everyone, totally unexpected car. You say Ford GT was to be "Anyone could buy one, not just "the privileged few" on "the list." What do you think would happen if the new Ford GT was purely available on the open market at a supply and demand equilibrium? They would be complete unobtanium, likely marked $100k-200k over MSRP. In the actual scenario, a great many true enthusiasts will instead be driving them on the street. Oh the horror. Everyone goes in to the Ferrari purchasing process knowing how the game is played. Absolutely nobody (ok, well maybe not nobody ), that owns a Ford GT had any clue there was any kind of reward for their loyalty and enthusiasm for the product. You could say I'm pretty familiar with the Ford GT allocation process and the reasoning behind it. If you went out today (or any time after 08/27/2015) and started buying old Ford GTs thinking it's going to get you a new one, you're pissing away money.
You're lying to yourself. It's exactly the same thing and you know it. It's EXACTLY the same as Ferrari -- and it's disappointing as hell.
I agree, it's exactly the same, except it's completely different. If you can't see that, I can't help you. I'm pretty confident virtually everyone who reads this thread will agree that rewarding loyal customers who have zero clue reward is even a possibility is completely different than holding people hostage by making them endlessly buy cars to stay in the loop.
Laughable! Ford said it's going to give priority to previous owners --- just like Ferrari does -- yet it's not the same. "I can't get a new 488 unless my dealer says I buy a 458 first!" "I can't get a new Ford GT unless I buy a used Ford Gt first!" What dealers will want is people to trade in their used Ford GT's for a new one -- then resell them at inflated prices. Those people will get the highest priority. Don't have a Ford GT? Well, I just got one in trade! Still think it's not like Ferrari? Still think it's fair? If it wasn't part of the plan, why did they even bring it up?
....or force owners to add options to a track-focused Speciale because otherwise someone else's "more expensive" order takes precedent. I agree - I like what Ford is doing here and I don't think it's the same as Ferrari personally. I doubt they are even making money on these street-racecars at the pricepoint IMHO. What would be more fair? I can't think of anything personally. You take out the previous owners, and it will simply go to the guy with the deepest pockets. Or they could do some kind of raffle, but why should some "jerk off the street" get the same priority as a previous customer that supported their return to supercars?
You are completely missing what I said above. Try reading it again. I'll repost it for you: "You could say I'm pretty familiar with the Ford GT allocation process and the reasoning behind it. If you went out today (or any time after 08/27/2015) and started buying old Ford GTs thinking it's going to get you a new one, you're pissing away money." To clarify that point for you - if you go out and buy a used Ford GT today hoping it will get you an allocation for a new Ford GT next year, you're going to be sorely disappointed. That is not a strategy that will work. It will get you a nice used Ford GT though. You're also completely missing the point with the dealers. No, dealers will not want people to trade their GTs in for a new one. That is actually completely counterproductive to the actual process. I think you completely misunderstand the actual allocation strategy. The dealer has no say in who does or does not get one. Let me break this down for you: 1. The car is assigned to THE OWNER 2. The car is assigned to the owner BY FORD 3. The customer will be able to have the car delivered to a certified Ford GT dealer of THEIR CHOICE The role the dealer plays in the allocation process is to be the point of delivery. That's it. And the very limited number of certified dealers for the program will be well compensated for their time and energy. People trading their GT in will absolutely not get the highest priority. That's actually the total opposite of the allocation strategy. You can argue with me about whether or not I know what I'm talking about here. I'm happy to have it on record for eternity. It will just be another Fchat thread I get the pleasure of bumping every couple of years.
I am saddened by Ford's decision but I understand their rationale. With over 4000 GT owners I am sure over 1000 will apply as it is a simple way to double or triple your investment immediately and drive an incredible car. It would be insane not to apply. I had a good dealer relationship where I would have got one if they were allocated a car. They were one of the largest dealers worldwide and one of the oldest. My chances went from 99% to 1% overnight based on this news. I am sure of the 1000 a percentage will be flippers. Annoys the heck out of me since I would have held the car at least a decade if not a lifetime. Ultimately Ford will hand pick some flippers and nothing I can do to stop it or increase my chances over these "loyal" Ford customers I went from being so excited at the chance to own this masterpiece of design and engineering to very depressed at having almost zero chance now I will apply and take a shot anyway but my optimism has waned.
I don't know if they will, but Ford has the ability to control the "flipping". For instance, Lexus did this with the LFA.
No matter what you guys say, no matter how you try to justify it.... Ford is creating a "special class" to get a new car -- the exact same thing people criticize Ferrari for. You might have bought every Ford Mustang for the last 20 years and you still go to the bottom of the list if you didn't buy or don't have a Ford GT. What to do go the top of the list? Go out and get a Ford GT and trade it in. First thing a dealer is going to ask if you want on new Ford GT: "Do you have a Ford GT?" "Yes" "Are you willing to trade it in now for a new Ford Gt 2 years from now?"
I am wondering if there is something that is causing my posts to be translated into Swahili on your screen. Let's try again: 1. The car is assigned to THE OWNER 2. The car is assigned to the owner BY FORD 3. The customer will be able to have the car delivered to a certified Ford GT dealer of THEIR CHOICE "First thing a dealer is going to ask if you want on new Ford GT" The dealer will ask nothing, because the dealer will have no role in choosing the owner who is assigned the car. Secondly, again, if you go out and buy a bunch of Ford GTs tomorrow, that will not be a viable strategy to move you farther up the chain, and it's not even remotely close to putting you at the top of the chain. Am I somehow being unclear to anyone else, or is it just him?
