The onslaught of US models from DC and GM is unlikely to be matched by the Blue Oval. ‘Imported US products have never sold in huge quantities in Europe and especially in Britain, because customer demands are very different,’ said a Ford Britain spokesman.
The highlight will be the £100,000 Ford GT, but the car will come to Britain in tiny numbers. Of the 1500 to be built annually, Europe’s allocation is just 80 and the lion’s share is said to be earmarked for Switzerland. Around 10 cars for the UK seems likely, at best.
Unfortunately, the Mustang muscle car won’t be crossing the pond at all. Designed around a faithful reproduction of the 1968 fastback model, and seen in the handsome Detroit concept this year, the Mustang isn’t even being considered for the UK.
Imported Ford coupés like the Probe and Cougar bombed and the Maverick 4x4 is about to be pulled from the UK market, with annual sales never above 1800 units — a tiny volume.
But GM doesn’t escape criticism, either. The range-topping Cadillac CTS-V, claimed by the company to be comparable to a BMW M5 around the Nürburgring, won’t feature in the return to the UK of Cadillac because its modified powerplant won’t convert to right-hand drive.
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