Trying to ensure its supercar falls in the right hands or make headlines? Whatever the case may be, Ford is copying a page right out of Maranello’s book over the new GT.
By now, probably everyone’s familiar with Ferrari’s practice concerning its “specials”, like the Enzo and the LaFerrari: a nice chequebook and getting first in line won’t do. You have to be invited and be deemed a loyal customer to spend a small fortune on one.
The Blue Oval will limit the GT’s production to a mere 250 units per year. This will make it a rare animal and, considering the rumored 700HP output and US$400,000 asking price, highly sought after.
A Reddit user has revealed that the ordering books will open in early 2016, but interested parties won’t be able to simply walk into a dealership and place their order like they would do for a Mustang, for example.
No, they will have to apply first. Then the year’s allocation will be assigned based on a screening process and, although everyone will be able to apply, Ford will give priority to its loyal customers, including owners of the previous GT. They will then be guided through the personalization program and select the dealership where they want their new supercar delivered.
This, apart from rewarding brand loyalty, is supposed to exclude those who are not interested in the car per se but want to make a quick buck, or rather hundreds of thousands, by putting it out on the market ASAP – with a hefty premium, of course.
This seems sound but, as it has been proven time and time again, it just doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked for Ferrari, who has been at it for much longer and made its customers sign binding agreements, nor any other ultra-premium brand. When there’s a will, there’s a way and, besides, no one wants to annoy those wealthy people much, do they?
Story References: Reddit via Autoblog