I found the following in an article written in July on a website dedicated to the GT500:
Other than the above, has there been any further information on specific dealer allocation of the GT500?? More importantly, do dealers know by now whether or not they will be allocated a GT500 or not?
Thanks for any information you can provide.
thegt500source.com said:Shelby Cobra GT500 Dealer Allocation
Darryl B. Hazel Ford Motor Company
email: - [email protected] Dearborn, Michigan 48126-4207
July 19, 2005
All Ford Division Dealers
Subject: SVT Distribution Plan
The purpose of this communication is to announce the following:
- Revision to the SVT distribution policy
- Allocation plan for the Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500
As we go forward, our goal is to expand our lineup of Ford performance oriented vehicles. One such example is the Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 which is scheduled for production next summer. As we expect to have a strong line-up of performance products in the future, the cadence of these products
necessitates a change to our distribution policy. Accordingly, the Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 and all future products engineered by SVT will be available to all dealers who complete the necessary certification requirements. This will further strengthen the Ford brand by providing us with a greater opportunity to drive showroom traffic by leveraging halo products in all our marketing communications.
This will also help achieve compliance with various state laws by providing all dealers who become certified the opportunity to sell performance oriented vehicles.
Certification Requirements to Sell SVT-Engineered Products
SVT-engineered products will be available to all dealers who complete the certification requirements. A unique certification plan will be announced for each SVT engineered product at a later date. Similar to Escape Hybrid, certification will likely include sales consultant training, technician training and purchase
of special service tools. As in the past, this opportunity will be open to all dealers who enroll in the SVT program and who meet SVT program requirements.
Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 Allocation Plan
Dealers will be required to complete certification requirements to receive any type of allocation for the Shelby Cobra GT500. In recognition of their commitment to the program, current SVT dealers and SVT Focus dealers will receive preferential allocation for the Shelby Cobra GT500 for the first model year.
At current projections, we expect around 7,000 units to be produced for the 2007 model year. Allocation will be as follows:
- Two incremental units for current full-line SVT dealers (605 dealers)
- One incremental unit for SVT Focus-only dealers (700 dealers)
- One unit for any dealer who completes certification requirements
- One unit for 2005 President's Award winners (343 dealers)
- Remaining production will be allocated based on a Mustang share-of-nation formula
Allocation Example:
A current full-line SVT dealer who wins the 2005 President's Award will receive four units plus any units for Mustang share-of-nation.
Example: Full Line SVT Dealer: 2
Completed certification: 1
2005 President's Award: 1
Mustang share-of-nation: TBD
Managing Customer Expectations
We are already receiving customer inquiries about GT500 availability as well as reports of dealers holding deposits for this car. Dealer allocation will not be announced until the first quarter of 2006.
Despite the extremely high market interest in this product, it is important to appropriately manage the expectations of your customers according to your actual allocation.
Sincerely,
Darryl Hazel
Other than the above, has there been any further information on specific dealer allocation of the GT500?? More importantly, do dealers know by now whether or not they will be allocated a GT500 or not?
Thanks for any information you can provide.
