Why did Ford discontinue the Ford GT?
Ford discontinued the Ford GT after the 2022 model year, ending the current generation’s limited run as a high-cost halo car. The move reflects the car’s niche status and Ford’s broader pivot toward higher-volume, electrified models.
The Ford GT program began as a tribute to the GT40’s Le Mans legacy and evolved into two generations of highly restricted production. Ford executives have framed the decision as a strategic shift that prioritizes scale, profitability, and electrification over a niche, ultra-exclusive performance car. The discussion below outlines the reasons, production context, and what the move signals for Ford’s broader plans.
Key factors behind the decision
Several core considerations shaped Ford’s decision to wind down the Ford GT program. Here is a concise look at the principal drivers.
- High cost per unit and significant development/production expenses make the GT economically fragile in a market that favors higher-volume models.
- Extremely limited production volumes mean little economies of scale and challenging return on investment for a mainstream automaker.
- Strategic shift toward electrification and more profitable, high-volume vehicles such as pickups, SUVs, and electric models.
- Maintenance, service, and parts complexities associated with a low-volume, specialized platform.
These factors collectively explain why Ford concluded the GT program could not be sustained within its current business model, even as the car preserved a prominent role in Ford’s performance heritage.
Production counts, final-year status, and edition details
To put the decision in context, here are the production milestones and the status of the program as it ended.
- First-generation Ford GT (2004–2006) produced approximately 4,038 units worldwide.
- Second-generation Ford GT (announced 2016, produced through 2022) produced about 1,350 units in total across its run and variants.
- 2022 served as the final model year for the current GT program, with a Final Edition and other limited variants marking the close of that generation.
- Ongoing owner support, parts, and service are maintained for existing GTs, but Ford has indicated no immediate plans to reintroduce a new, similarly positioned GT in the near term.
In short, the GT’s life cycle ended in tandem with Ford’s broader emphasis on volumes and electrification, while preserving a respectful nod to the car’s historical significance and its owners’ ongoing needs.
What this means for Ford’s future and its enthusiasts
The discontinuation reflects a broader industry trend: automakers increasingly prioritize electrified, high-demand models over ultra-exclusive, complex supercars. Ford has signaled that its investment focus will be on its evolving lineup, including the electric and hybrid variants of core nameplates and performance models built for broader audiences.
For enthusiasts, the end of new Ford GT production does not erase the model’s legacy. The existing fleet remains a collectible, with continued access to maintenance networks and parts through Ford and authorized specialists. However, the absence of a direct successor means the GT nameplate will likely remain a limited, commemorative project rather than a recurring, large-scale fixture in Ford’s sports-car strategy.
What happened in the market context
Fuel- and technology-market dynamics, combined with a push toward electrification and profitability, influenced Ford and other automakers to rethink halo projects. The Ford GT’s appeal as a track-capable, road-legal homologation special translated into prestige for the brand but also highlighted the challenges of sustaining such a program in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
Summary
Ford’s decision to discontinue the Ford GT after the 2022 model year stems from the car’s high development and production costs, very limited volumes, and a strategic pivot toward electrified, higher-volume vehicles. While the GT’s legacy endures among collectors and performance enthusiasts, Ford’s current priorities point toward scalable, electrified platforms that can better compete in a market demanding sustainability, efficiency, and broader accessibility. The future of Ford’s performance lineup will likely emphasize electric technology and mass-market appeal, with the GT serving as a storied chapter rather than a continuing chapter in the brand’s ongoing story.
Is Ford making a 2025 Ford GT?
No, the Ford GT supercar is not being produced for the 2025 model year, as its production for the second generation ended in 2022 and the final Mk IV track-focused version is the last of that line. However, a limited-run, race-inspired 2025 Ford Mustang GTD performance supercar is slated for production in late 2024/early 2025.
You can watch this video to learn more about the 2025 Mustang GTD: 39sCar Garage YouTube · Nov 8, 2024
- Ford GT: Production ended with the second generation in 2022, and the final limited-production Ford GT Mk IV is being built now.
- Ford Mustang GTD: This new high-performance model is the "greatest Mustang they ever built" and is expected to be released in late 2024 or early 2025.
- Ford Mustang GT: The standard 2025 Mustang GT is a V8-powered performance car, separate from the GTD supercar, with the "GT" designation in this context referring to the Mustang model line.
Will the Ford GT come back?
Yes, the Ford GT is expected to come back, with Ford teasing a new "production road car" to be revealed in January 2026. This new model will likely be a successor to the previous GT, with a focus on integrating racing innovation into a street-legal vehicle.
This video provides an overview of the 2025 Ford GT: 39sCar Garage YouTube · Nov 8, 2024
- Reveal date: The new car is slated for a reveal in January 2026, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.
- Performance focus: The car is described as being developed with a strong racing influence, designed to translate track innovation into a road car.
- Successor to the GT: The new model is expected to be a successor to the second-generation Ford GT, which ended production in 2022.
Why was the Ford GT40 banned?
Following the fast 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA changed the rules to ban unlimited capacity engines, imposing a 3 litre capacity limit as in Formula 1 on the prototypes, ruling out the 427 cu in (7 L) Ford V8, the 4 litre Ferrari 330P4 and others.
Is there a 2026 Ford GT?
The FX Package is exclusively available on the 2026 Mustang® GT Premium Fastback and Convertible. It features large 19" x 8.5" Oxford White-painted cast aluminum wheels (19" x 9" front and 19" x 9.5" rear wheels, when equipped with GT Performance Package), Oxford White badging, and more.
