Extreme4x4 Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 I just got off the phone with a rep from SVT. He actually called me, based on the fax that I sent them yesterday. To say I was impressed is an understatement. The Lightning is dead. This was not a SVT decision, it was a Ford decision............ and SVT is not happy about it. It seems as if the beancounters didn't accept the business case for the Lightning. It is as if Ford cannot see beyond the end of their nose in this matter. They do not understand that HALO vehicles like the Lightning spread good will about the Ford brand............. even to non Ford owners. They do not understand that SVT is looked up to by the entire automotive industry. This is the reason that SRT exists, and would be the only reason that GM may try to make a better product in the Silverado SS. They do not understand that a person may go into a Ford showroom to look at a Lightning, and even though they may not buy one at that time, they may find something else that they like. As has been proven in the past (read the Mustang), we can make a difference at Ford. These faxes will be saved and shown to those who make these decisions. I implore all enthusiasts to fax to SVT about this. Tell them how much you respect the Lightning, and Ford for building it. Tell them how it has even made you look at Ford in a better light. Tell them how it made you feel about GM when they cancelled the f-bodies, even if you didn't like them. Tell them that if they throw in the towel, there is no incentive to a company like GM to make a better Silverado SS. Tell them what a bad business decision this is. We can make a difference !!!! SVT fax # is: 1-313-621-2500 SVT snail mail: Ford SVT PO Box 490 Dearborn, MI 48121 I gave them my phone number............... and they did call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBSS Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 This is actually a pretty good idea....if I was an executive at Ford and started getting faxes from GM and Dodge folk (as well as the normal Ford gearheads), I'd certainly take some notice. Also, if anyone is going to raise the bar and motivate The General to get off his duff and make a really hot performance truck, it's going to be the competition. If we allow the Lightning to die, GM can point to the program and say, "See! Performance trucks are going away, so we don't need to be in the race..." Which would be tragic. Gentlemen, start your fax machines! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEAR M UP Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Naaaaa....... No wonder Ford is behind GM and DaimlerChrysler? Thank you Mr Lutz for coming to GM........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted October 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Naaaaa....... No wonder Ford is behind GM and DaimlerChrysler? Thank you Mr Lutz for coming to GM........ <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is exactly this type of attitude that makes manufactures think that the enthusiast community doesn't care if they only come out with half baked products (such as the Monte Carlo SS, and Impala SS). I figured that I would get some flack posting at a non Ford board, but thought that most here were mature adults who could see the big picture. Thanks Naked AV............ great attitude !!!! When GM announced the demise of the F-bodies, many Ford enthusiasts wrote and phoned GM to voice their disagreement with this decision. While I am sorry that it didn't work in that situation, us enthusiasts have to stick together. As a minority group in the auto buying public, we have to make our voice heard. This is the only way we will get the products that we truly want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted October 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Naaaaa....... No wonder Ford is behind GM and DaimlerChrysler? Thank you Mr Lutz for coming to GM........ <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is exactly this type of attitude that makes manufactures think that the enthusiast community doesn't care if they only come out with half baked products (such as the Monte Carlo SS, and Impala SS). I figured that I would get some flack posting at a non Ford board, but thought that most here were mature adults who could see the big picture. Thanks Naked AV............ great attitude !!!! When GM announced the demise of the F-bodies, many Ford enthusiasts wrote and phoned GM to voice their disagreement with this decision. While I am sorry that it didn't work in that situation, us enthusiasts have to stick together. As a minority group in the auto buying public, we have to make our voice heard. This is the only way we will get the products that we truly want. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> BTW, if some do not have access to a fax, here is a website where you can fax from e-mail. http://www.tpc.int/faxbyemail.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynss Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Naaaaa....... No wonder Ford is behind GM and DaimlerChrysler? Thank you Mr Lutz for coming to GM........ <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It is exactly this type of attitude that makes manufactures think that the enthusiast community doesn't care if they only come out with half baked products (such as the Monte Carlo SS, and Impala SS). I figured that I would get some flack posting at a non Ford board, but thought that most here were mature adults who could see the big picture. GEAR, come on when you are done with that fax send one to paul mitchel to bring back the jerry curl You complain about half baked products, but why not allow ford to make the L proper instead of having them spit something out every year because you want it. If they stop production for a moment to make it better and "focus" on the L later, whats wrong with that? Hell it will make you appreciate it later, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEAR M UP Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Everything goes in cycles.......... The F-Body will be back, and the Lightning will also. I'm sure the corp guys were looking at the #'s and saw that the L was in the bottom half sales or just needed more cash to get the project off. Its only going to bring intrest in the following year or two, but I'm sure the L is not dead. Did we cry when the Z06 did'nt come out this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
styleandspeed Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Ford said that the L might not come back out, and if it did the soonest would be 2008. That is a bit different than GM just not having the Z06 ready yet for this year. I am sending them a fax. Aaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdss Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Everything goes in cycles.......... The F-Body will be back, and the Lightning will also. I'm sure the corp guys were looking at the #'s and saw that the L was in the bottom half sales or just needed more cash to get the project off. Its only going to bring intrest in the following year or two, but I'm sure the L is not dead. Did we cry when the Z06 did'nt come out this year? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If the F-body comes back, will it be like the Cavilier inspired GTO?! Or if the L comes back will it be a modified Ranger?! I havent been impressed with the SS's coming out lately, like the Cobalt SS!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSport Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Looks like Ford is becoming more like GM in the truck department everyday. I can't believe GM and Ford is going to let Dodge own the sport world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted October 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Everything goes in cycles.......... The F-Body will be back, and the Lightning will also. I'm sure the corp guys were looking at the #'s and saw that the L was in the bottom half sales or just needed more cash to get the project off. Its only going to bring intrest in the following year or two, but I'm sure the L is not dead. Did we cry when the Z06 did'nt come out this year? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Take note that the Autoweek article quoted the rep as saying "if the Lighning comes back, it would be 2008 at the earliest." Now, maybe you have alot of faith in "IF," but I do not. Also, how many of those loyal Camaro customers are just sitting around "keeping the faith?" As there has been no word from GM, and may not be for a couple of years yet............ are all Camaro hopefuls just going to sit around with their thumbs up their butts??? The point being, if there is someone else making a product similar to the one they want............ and they do not see the hope in, or can't wait 4-5 years for another one to come out......... they will buy something else. If that something else comes from another company, and they have a good ownership experience, what are the chances of them coming back into the fold??? One to two years is acceptable in a limited production vehicle like this. Anything more than that and you stand to erode the majority of your customer base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xero Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 erode the majority of your customer base i recon he dun went too collayge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurbochargedBerserker Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 Fax sent. Lightnings are great vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSMANIAC Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 I just think that automotive industries will do whatever they want without taking in consideration "us" the costumer. They have been doing this for a long time!! They only care about their numbers and what can they make with what they have. The only automotive company in the US that I think listen and looks to a demand for the middle class is DODGE, Sorry But I don't think that Us faxing or contacting them is going to make a difference. They only care about their numbers not us. One of the main reason that Foreign cars are kicking our asses right now. My .02 cents P.S. I was one of the few that sent a letter to GM when they make the decision to kill the camaro, also sent them an email with no response from either or. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBSS Posted October 23, 2004 Report Share Posted October 23, 2004 I just think that automotive industries will do whatever they want without taking in consideration "us" the costumer. They have been doing this for a long time!! They only care about their numbers and what can they make with what they have. The only automotive company in the US that I think listen and looks to a demand for the middle class is DODGE, Sorry But I don't think that Us faxing or contacting them is going to make a difference. They only care about their numbers not us. One of the main reason that Foreign cars are kicking our asses right now. My .02 cents P.S. I was one of the few that sent a letter to GM when they make the decision to kill the camaro, also sent them an email with no response from either or. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just because your letter didn't save the F-Body doesn't mean that hundreds or thousands of letters to Ford won't save the Lightning. Like an advisor I once had told me, "If you don't ask, the answer is always no....if you do ask, the answer might be no, but it also could be yes." This is why people try. Perhaps Ford is more receptive than GM - I doubt they could be less so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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