SVT Fusion, Edge?

Ford Motor Co. is considering the new Fusion sedan and Edge cross/utility vehicle as possible additions to its high-performance vehicle lineup, a company spokeswoman tells Ward's.

The move is part of an emphasis Ford is placing on performance vehicles as it looks for ways to boost sagging sales.

Mark Fields, president-The Americas, in April said the auto maker planned to invest in new products through its Special Vehicle Team (SVT) operation, including one SVT version of the Mustang and a yet-to-be-detailed performance truck.

The decision to add more vehicles to the SVT fleet comes on the heels of the success of Ford's Racing Performance Group, which recently joined SVT in product development.

“Ford performance is still alive, well and kicking,” says Jamie Allison, program manager-Ford Racing Performance Group. “Whether it's called SVT or Ford Racing, Ford enthusiasts and owners of SVT products have a place, and Ford continues to reach out to them.”

The redesigned '05 Mustang is driving sales of aftermarket parts, says Allison.

A big draw is the $125,000 Grand Am Cup Mustang, a race-ready vehicle that is turning heads in the Grand Am Cup Series. The Cup Mustang's success on the track is leading to increased sales for the auto maker, Allison says.

Allison hints that several more undisclosed performance vehicles could be in the works over the next couple of years.

“Performance has always been a part of Ford,” he says. “We intend to sprinkle (other) cars with the same magic as the Mustang, and in the next year or two we'll be talking about that. There's a lot of emphasis in the company to push performance.”