2002 - Las Vegas, NV - Nov. 5-8
www.SEMA.org
 
Media Get Ford Total Performance Drive at SEMA
By Ellen Akins 

Members of the media had a chance to drive Ford's high-performance vehicles at the Las Vegas Speedway as part of the recent SEMA show.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, (FCN) -- There was a lot of ground to cover at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week. The company, though, provided media the chance to cover some ground in high-performance vehicles at the Las Vegas Speedway. The vehicles included the company's 2003 Special Vehicle Team (SVT) products, in addition to the 2003 Ford Thunderbird and the 2003 Mach 1.

At SEMA, a trade show for people who buy, sell and manufacture all kinds of specialty parts and accessories, Ford got the media behind the wheel of the high-performance cars to make sure one message got through -- the company is the undisputed performance market leader.

Mike Zevalkink

"While we have been selling our SVT products for ten years, the competition is now coming after us. Really they are just beginning to talk about their products. We think it's important to demonstrate that we're not talking it, we're walking it. And we've got the products to prove it. We're excited for this opportunity to show them what we have," said Mike Zevalkink, executive director, Ford Performance.

 

The media drove vehicles at several locations, including a road course, drag strip and an auto cross.

The media drove vehicles at several locations, including a road course, drag strip and an auto cross.

David S. Wallens, managing editor, Grassroots Motorsports, tried out a silver five-door SVT Focus. After taking it for a spin on the auto cross challenge, Wallens said, "This is cool!"

"Everything works so well together. The ergonomics of the car is great -- the pedals, seats, it has good power. By far this SVT Focus is the best one I've driven," added Wallens.

David S. Wallens, managing editor, Grassroots Motorsports, on the silver five-door SVT Focus: "This is cool!"

Holding a ride and drive like this at SEMA is pretty unique -- but worth every minute.

"It's like going live," said Zevalkink. "When we deal with the press, a lot of times there are questions and concerns and it's all talk until we get them out here on the track. We can say whatever we want to. But until reporters experience it first hand, it really doesn't bring it to life for them."
 

Source: Ford Corporate News Online