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Ford, Petty's Garage to build limited-edition Mustang GT from SEMA Show

The customized vehicles on display at the annual SEMA Show are often just there to exhibit a company's wares. They are more an illustration of what's possible by picking the right bits out of a catalog, rather than a model available in complete form. Ford and Petty's Garage are doing something a little different, though, by putting a very limited run of the tuner's supercharged Mustang GTs up for order through Blue Oval dealers. The Petty's Garage Mustang GT made its debut with a host of other modded 'Stangs at the 2014 SEMA Show. It featured a blue-and-black two-tone paint job and a supercharged version of the pony car's V8 under the hood. Just 143 of them are now being offered to customers – 100 in Stage 1 trim and 43 in Stage 2 form. At a starting price of $62,210, Stage 1 buyers get the aggressive body kit from the show car, including a center-exit exhaust at the rear, trunk lip spoiler and a set of 20-inch wheels. Although the real meat of the setup is a supercharger, cold air intake and retuned engine calibration also help take the output up to 627 horsepower. Inside, customers get "The King" Richard Petty's signature on the dashboard. Shelling out $92,210 for the Stage 2 version adds bigger brakes from Wilwood, HRE three-piece wheels and the two-tone paint job from the SEMA show car. The boosted Mustangs can be ordered from Ford dealers, but at least one of the Stage 2 versions is already sold. Rocker and car enthusiast Brian Johnson of AC/DC bought the first one. FORD AND PETTY'S GARAGE TEAM UP TO BUILD LIMITED-EDITION MUSTANG GT Ford dealerships to offer 143 limited-edition Petty's Garage-tuned Mustang GTs; a Stage 1 version and an even more exclusive Stage 2 version will be available All Petty's Garage Mustang GTs feature Ford Racing/Roush supercharger boosting output to 627 horsepower*, as well as unique exterior and interior treatments including Richard Petty's signature on the dashboard AC/DC's Brian Johnson ordered the first Petty's Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT – the rock 'n' roll legend's first-ever domestic vehicle purchase DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 19, 2015 – Ford Motor Company and Petty's Garage are teaming up to build a new 627-horsepower* Mustang GT – a limited-edition fastback inspired by the popular Petty's Garage Mustang GT on display at last year's SEMA show in Las Vegas. "We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback about our Petty's Garage Mustang GT displayed at the SEMA show," said Jeff Whaley, Petty's Garage COO.

Alan Mulally talks about why Ford's Falcon had to die

When Ford made the decision to end production of the Falcon sedan and Territory CUV in Australia, it wasn't a popular move Down Under. The large, four-door Falcon had been in production for 50 years, and while Ford has reaffirmed its commitment to the Australian market, it's understandable that some people still aren't all that crazy about the Blue Oval's decision.
Speaking to CEO Alan Mulally after Ford's Go Further event in Sydney, Australian site Go Auto reports that the decision was not one made lightly, and that the automaker is doing everything possible to respect the Falcon and Territory's "stakeholders." It's an interesting piece that shows a softer side of a corporation, while demonstrating that Ford is doing everything in its power to make the end of production as smooth as possible for all parties.
Head over to Go Auto for the full series of remarks from Mulally, and then let us know what you think of Ford's handling of the Falcon and Territory discontinuations, in Comments.

FBI investigating recently fired Ford engineer for espionage

Agents of the FBI are investigating a potential case of industrial espionage involving a recently fired Ford employee. The Dearborn, MI-based manufacturer had its world headquarters searched by FBI agents on July 11, and according to The Detroit News, had warrants to seize recording devices handed over to Ford by Sharon Leach, a now-former Ford engineer.
Leach, who had spent 17 years with the Blue Oval, was fired last month, after Ford Security relieved her of eight Sansa listening devices. The FBI got involved shortly after her dismissal, searching her home on June 20 and seizing some two dozen items, including computers, jump drives and financial records, according to warrants obtained by The News.
Ford has remained quiet on the matter, with spokeswoman Susan Krusel confirming that the automaker was working with the FBI as part of a "joint investigation," while declining to provide any additional details.