After the disturbing news that GM's High Performance Vehicle Operations group was being put on hiatus last week, a GM spokesman tried to soften the blow by likening the situation to the way Ford handled SVT.
Well, SVT spokesman Patrick Hespen didn't appreciate the connection. "SVT was never on hiatus, or shutdown. SVT developed the 2005-06 Ford GT and the 07-09 Shelby GT500. Both of these vehicles were fully engineered by SVT. Granted, they were not specifically badged as SVT vehicles, but they were responsible for their development," Hespen told Inside Line.
He went on to say that "SVT's health is not in question," and the vehicles that it produces are all profitable vehicles.
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adb4 says:
11:48 AM, 02/24/09
Please. GM's comment did not imply SVT was at death's door, but it was a reasonably accurate statement as to the condition of SVT about four years ago, with suspended programs and the departure of key personnel (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Columns/articleId=104445/subsubtypeId=218). This is the point where you media folks come in and defend what you've already said...
flicmod says:
11:54 AM, 02/24/09
Yeah, I clearly remember Ford announcing the suspension of SVT a few years back as well. Not really sure what's going on with that now.
sxty8stang says:
12:31 PM, 02/24/09
Yeah, Ford's got product that makes sense to be badged as SVT but they haven't.
- GT500
- Taurus SHO
- Focus RS
- Raptor
- Fusion Sport
Its disappointing to see the division struggling like it is - they were doing so well in the early 2000's with the Lightning, SVT Focus and the Cobra.