Dearborn, MI –
Last week during Ford GT National Rally 10, Ford Global Product Development chief Raj Nair announced the 2017 Ford GT allocation strategy. In front of an understandably enthusiastic crowd of current Ford GT owners, Nair detailed that the new GT would be allocated on a customer basis through an application process, and priority would be given to the most loyal Ford customers, including owners of the last-gen GT. This begins to answer one of the burning questions of the new Ford GT program: who will get them and how?
Raj Nair announces the 2017 Ford GT allocation process – Full Video
The key takeaways from the announcement and discussion afterwards were the following:
- The new Ford GT will be assigned to the customer
- The new Ford GT will be assigned to the customer by Ford
- The customer will have the vehicle delivered to a certified Ford GT dealer of their choice
With a production volume of only 250 cars a year worldwide, the allocation process is designed to help place the car in the hands of the most loyal Ford and Ford GT enthusiasts. Ultimately, the decision makes sense, as a mass of “investment” GTs sitting under covers in the corners of warehouses don’t do the car or the development team justice. The crowd of GT owners on hand, while understanding there is still absolutely no guarantee of an allocation, were very appreciative to at least have a toe in the door based on their loyalty to the marque.
The fact that customers will be able to take delivery at a certified dealer of their choice is also big news. It would seem to ensure that the cars will be sold at MSRP, as the assignee can choose from a number of delivery points. There was no word on the final number of dealers that will be able to participate in the program, but we expect it to be small, and we expect that dealers will be well-compensated for their role in the process.
The application process for new Ford GT ownership will begin in early 2016.
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, Ford’s 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.