Predictions for GT350 production beyond 2017?

[Spectre]

First off, hi everybody! I'm new to the site. Never owned a Mustang (or any V8 for that matter), but I've come awfully close on multiple occasions (nearly bought a pre-refresh S197 GT, and was oh so close to buying a Boss 302 after a test drive made me shake like an addict needing a fix). I have no brand loyalty: basically, if it looks and sounds good, and puts a smile on my face, I'm a fan of it.

Now, the point of this thread: I'm finally ready to plunk down. My wife has caved to the idea of a Mustang, and I want that FPC bad boy more than anything, particularly now that Grabber Blue is back. However, due to other commitments (incl the sports car I already bought), I'll have to wait until the 2018 model year. I've read virtually everything I could find (incl threads on this forum) but I thought it wouldn't hurt to revisit it again: what are the chances Ford continues production past 2017?

I realize the GT500 and Mach 1 fans expect the GT350 to cease production to make way for their desired models, and I also know some people expect a similar 2 year run for the GT350 as for the Boss 302.

Obviously, I now have a horse in this race (pun intended), but I can't see why Ford would axe this car after only 2 full years. 1) unlike the prev 2 year specials, much more R&D has been sunk into developing this car, and 2) I think the reason Ford hasn't come out and said anything about a long term plan is to mollify their dealer network (independent franchise, yes, but obviously they have clout when it comes to sales) who will continue to take advantage of buyers' fears of a short run with ongoing ADM.

A longer production run would also benefit existing owners (people who actually drive, not those looking to speculate). More cars = more parts and therefore cheaper replacement parts.

Mustang6G/GT350 section, what are your thoughts? Am I crazy? Indulging in wishful thinking? Or is there something to this?

Thanks in advance.

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[Shift]

First off, hi everybody! I'm new to the site. Never owned a Mustang (or any V8 for that matter), but I've come awfully close on multiple occasions (nearly bought a pre-refresh S197 GT, and was oh so close to buying a Boss 302 after a test drive made me shake like an addict needing a fix). I have no brand loyalty: basically, if it looks and sounds good, and puts a smile on my face, I'm a fan of it.

Now, the point of this thread: I'm finally ready to plunk down. My wife has caved to the idea of a Mustang, and I want that FPC bad boy more than anything, particularly now that Grabber Blue is back. However, due to other commitments (incl the sports car I already bought), I'll have to wait until the 2018 model year. I've read virtually everything I could find (incl threads on this forum) but I thought it wouldn't hurt to revisit it again: what are the chances Ford continues production past 2017?

I realize the GT500 and Mach 1 fans expect the GT350 to cease production to make way for their desired models, and I also know some people expect a similar 2 year run for the GT350 as for the Boss 302.

Obviously, I now have a horse in this race (pun intended), but I can't see why Ford would axe this car after only 2 full years. 1) unlike the prev 2 year specials, much more R&D has been sunk into developing this car, and 2) I think the reason Ford hasn't come out and said anything about a long term plan is to mollify their dealer network (independent franchise, yes, but obviously they have clout when it comes to sales) who will continue to take advantage of buyers' fears of a short run with ongoing ADM.

A longer production run would also benefit existing owners (people who actually drive, not those looking to speculate). More cars = more parts and therefore cheaper replacement parts.

Mustang6G/GT350 section, what are your thoughts? Am I crazy? Indulging in wishful thinking? Or is there something to this?

Thanks in advance.

All that talk about recouping costs and what not makes sense, but apparently Ford is well known for these 2-year runs. Just look at their most expensive one to date: 2005/2006 Ford GT. That cost a pretty penny to R&D and produce, yet still only had a 2 year run.

So do I believe an even lesser priced car, but still very special, will also have a 2 year run?..... Well, I'm practically making a near $60k bet(after fees/taxes) that it won't make it past 2017, by trying to get a 2016/2017 GT350

 

[crazyfish]

Gt350 production ends in 2017. I have heard this numerous times from various Ford personnel and the dealers who have a grip of somewhat. Ford said in the beginning about 5000 cars TOTAL. I am assuming we have to be at 3500 or so at end of 2016 production. My dealer knew his 15-17 allocation up front. Most dealers did with the possibility of getting another 1 or 2 maybe depending on their dealer sales. Also my dealer really didn't care much for the Shelby because Ford's other halo vehicles are tied to this program like the Escort RS which my dealer had 8 allocated, Raptors which they really really want because they sell more trucks and 1 GT on the board. The program is tied to some special deal allocations as well on standard vehicles. That is where the profit is on this kind of program. Take 1 Shelby and get 5 trucks with an extra $1000 incentive or so. This is also what Dodge did on SRT before the program changed.

 

[Hack]

I also think it would be great if it went past 2017, but most of what I've heard says it won't. I agree it would be good to have more cars/parts out there so spares are less expensive. I'm sure if you need to wait until 2018 you'll be able to find excess dealer stock or a lightly used version if you are patient.

 

[nastang87xx]

She be done in '17. The "Halo" Mustang will return, whatever that is. Most assume "GT500." And "Mach 1" will take over as the corner carver. However, wasn't "Mach 1" actually a drag race focused car back in the '60's?

That's my guess.

 

[MAV]

I don't think it goes beyond 2017 either, and more importantly, I believe it may very well be the last of the V8 Mustangs. Ford has invested far more in R&D and real-world experiences in its Ecoboost technologies, and that seems to be working for them. None of the other "big three" manufacturers have put as much investment into smaller, forced induction engine programs like Ford has recently done. When you couple the above with the fact that new CAFE standards hit the manufacturers in 2018, Ford is well-positioned to adapt to the new standards with Ecoboost engines across the board.

Their primary engine program for their flagship market vehicle (F150) is Ecoboost. Tons of Mustangs are Ecoboost. Hell, the new Ford GT is Ecoboost! It does not stand to reason they would continue building V8 engines into and beyond 2018 since they are so married to this engine program now. I suspect the next GTxxx is going to be a variant of the Ford GT's V6 engine.

 

[Rogue]

Production ends in 2017. This is the smart thing to do - keep the brand prime with low volume exceptional cars. They can bring in a new Mach 1 or GT500. You don't want the market saturated - it makes the brand less special. Let the Ford F-150 make the big profit margins and let the Shelby and Ford GT do the marketing (which follows into huge sales for all Mustang variants).

Porsche has Cayennes and Boxsters for the masses and the profit margins - let the 911 pull them all in.

 

[GT P-TREE]

@Spectre also the 2003/2004 SVT Cobra (Terminator) was only a 2 year run (owned two, loved those cars). As stated, this is Ford's MO.

 

[ThundrPony]

It's already been stated that the FPC engine is only slated for the GT350 so why would there be a commitment to improving it if there is only a two year run?http://www.autoevolution.com/news/f...odoo-v8-develop-new-transmissions-101972.html

 

[mattlqx]

@Spectre also the 2003/2004 SVT Cobra (Terminator) was only a 2 year run (owned two, loved those cars). As stated, this is Ford's MO.

Worth noting that that was at the tail end of the platform. Same thing with the Boss. The GT350 is at beginning. GT500 was at the beginning as well. I could see them continuing to make them until 2019 or so when the S650 is on the horizon.

 

[mattlqx]

It's already been stated that the FPC engine is only slated for the GT350 so why would there be a commitment to improving it if there is only a two year run?http://www.autoevolution.com/news/f...odoo-v8-develop-new-transmissions-101972.html

The word "improvement" is an extremely low bar.

 

[svt93style]

What about this article/rumor from the front page?

"While we are still awaiting official word from Ford about how many 2016 Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs will be produced as well as how many model years the Ford Performance vehicles will run, we may have just gotten the unofficial word from a major Mustang dealership.

According to Manny Galvin (“Mustang Manny”) of Gaudin Ford in a Facebook post that has since been removed, the 2016 GT350 Mustang production numbers were released (to the dealership, we presume) and they will be:

GT350 Mustang: 5,000/year
GT350R Mustang: 500/year
He also states that Ford plans to make the GT350 Mustang a 5-year production vehicle.

Of course, nothing is official until we hear it directly from Ford, but based on his track record, this could be a good indication of what to expect."

 

[krt22]

The word "improvement" is an extremely low bar.

agreed, it could mean a lot of things in the manufacturing context. That contract is for the UAW (ie the guys assembling them). Its possible its just a operation efficiency enhancement

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

Yea, a five year production run of the GT350 seems right to me. I still have a plan to buy a 2018 GT350 R.

 

[Hack]

And "Mach 1" will take over as the corner carver. However, wasn't "Mach 1" actually a drag race focused car back in the '60's?

No, it was an appearance package that was available with the base V8 as well as some of the higher performing V8s, but it never was performance related and it never came with the top performing V8.

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