At this years 2012 SEMA show the Mustang was again one of the most popular cars on display in a number of manufacturers booths - the Mustang was also voted the hottest car of the show to customize. Billions of dollars worth of aftermarket accessories are bought in the US by enthusiastic car owners each and every year. Whether it’s new wheels, engine mods, different paint finishers or anything else people like to do to their cars, the aftermarket industry is huge, and it’s serious business for both aftermarket firms and automakers alike.
The biggest event for the industry is the show run by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Las Vegas, Nevada, each year. You’ll find countless modified vehicles from the major automakers, as well as independent tuning firms, and one of the most popular blank canvases is none other than the Ford Mustang. Continue reading →
What is all the talk about - What is this picture of - Well over on Ford’s Facebook page today they have posted up a teaser photo of what looks to be a 2013 Mustang GT hood with the caption “We’ve got big news at SEMA, Ford fans. What do you think it is? There are now hundreds of comments ranging from "mach 1" Mustang Eco-boost and New SVO Mustang " " Focus ST" and a very popular one - "Ford Fusion" It obviously looks like the picture is a 2013 Mustang GT or Boss 302 hood but the black racing stripe with a blue and silver accent stripe have us wondering if Ford will be introducing a Special Edition Mustang or a new GT40 at the SEMA show. Maybe a tribute Mustang to the late Carroll Shelby. What do you think? Let us know what your prediction is in the comments below
Ford Motor Company has announced its official sponsorship of Formula DRIFT through the 2013 season
Professional drifting is a major part of Ford’s outreach to new audiences that are interested in emerging action motorsports
IRWINDALE, Calif. Oct 2012-- Good News for drift fans, Ford is expanding its involvement in professional drifting competition by becoming an official partner of Formula DRIFT and the 2013 Formula DRIFT championship.
“Our involvement with Formula DRIFT is not new, but we are taking it to the next level with this announcement,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “Enthusiasts can now see our great Mustangs on the track with great drivers like Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak, and they'll get a better chance to interact with our stars as well as our exciting production vehicles off track through consumer outreach at all the events. Formula DRIFT is a major part of our action motorsports program targeting new audiences for Ford.”
Ford has actively supported the professional drifting efforts of Team Falken Tire and drivers including Gittin, Pawlak and others since 2005. Two-time D1 Grand Prix champion Gittin won the 2010 Formula DRIFT championship at the wheel of a Mustang GT and leads the 2012 series going into this weekend’s finale. Pawlak, the 2011 Formula DRIFT series runnerup, won the first two rounds in 2012 and currently sits fourth – 70 points behind Gittin.
Initially popularized by fans of import sport compacts, professional drifting has taken root with a younger, more active audience that’s interested in nontraditional, emerging motorsports. Formula DRIFT estimates 87 percent of its fan base is 18 to 34 years old. Ford involvement in Formula DRIFT is a significant part of the company’s outreach to this group that might consider a Ford vehicle like the Fiesta, Focus, Mustang or Raptor.
Drifting is one of many nontraditional approaches Ford is using to reach new customers including social network conversations, soliciting user-generated content through programs like Fiesta Movement and Social.Ford.com, cross-platform marketing programs like Random Acts of Fusion, and the Octane Academy experiential program featuring Gittin, Ken Block, Brian Deegan and Tanner Foust.
“Ever since Ford came into the series competitively in 2005, we have seen the power of what a factory-backed effort can do,” said Ryan Sage, co-founder/vice-president, Formula DRIFT. “Now we are even more excited to have them on as an official partner for the final event of the year and into 2013.”
Look how high this Ford Mustang Cobra Jet gets when he launches - unfortunately this is not the quickest way down the track but it is the MOST spectacular - Watch ADRL NorthEast Drags SuperCar Showdown winner Chris Holbrook wow the crowd with a massive wheel stand in the Friday night qualifying session at the 2012 Gateway Drags IV.
