Why did Ford discontinue the GT?
Ford ended production of the Ford GT after the 2022 model year. The move reflected the model’s limited production, high development and manufacturing costs, and a broader shift in Ford’s strategic priorities away from extreme halo cars toward electrification, mainstream performance, and high-volume models.
In detail, the GT began as a commemorative, Le Mans–inspired project that evolved into a late-model, high-cost supercar with a highly exclusive footprint. Ford publicly signaled that the program would wind down, while continuing to support current owners and maintain essential parts for a defined period, as the company redirected resources to its broader product lineup and future technology initiatives.
Background of the Ford GT program
The Ford GT was conceived as a modern heritage car to celebrate Ford’s 100th anniversary and its historic Le Mans victories. The first generation (2005–2006) demonstrated the brand’s capability to produce a high-performance halo vehicle with aggressive styling and advanced materials. A second-generation Ford GT emerged for the 2017 model year (shared development with Multimatic), positioned as a limited-run, mid‑engine supercar with a focus on aerodynamics, track capability, and exclusivity.
Origins and Le Mans heritage
The program’s roots lie in Ford’s desire to honor its endurance racing heritage while showcasing cutting-edge engineering. The road-going GT that followed carried design cues and performance goals aligned with the company’s racing ambitions, reinforcing Ford’s performance image without becoming a mass-market product.
Second-generation GT and production scope
The modern GT was designed as a high-cost, low-volume halo car. Its production was intentionally restricted, with allocations distributed to a narrow group of customers and dealers. This approach emphasized exclusivity and prestige but limited annual volumes and long-term profitability compared with more mainstream models.
Reasons Ford discontinued the GT
The following factors are commonly cited as drivers behind Ford’s decision to end the GT program after 2022.
- Cost and manufacturing complexity: The GT required specialized materials, a bespoke assembly process, and a high level of hand-finishing, driving up per-unit costs in a market where volume was intentionally low.
- Limited production and allocation constraints: The car was always intended to be a limited-run halo model, with tight allocations that constrained sales, resale dynamics, and economies of scale.
- Racing and homologation investment: Maintaining a link to Le Mans and potential racing activities demanded ongoing, substantial investment, which did not align with Ford’s broader strategic priorities at the time.
- Shifting corporate priorities: Ford redirected resources toward electrification, the core Mustang and F-series/SUV lineup, and other high-demand products, reducing the justification for continuing a $500k+ halo car.
- Market demand and profitability considerations: The combination of high price, specialized maintenance, and limited audience made it difficult to sustain a long-term business case for continuing production.
Taken together, these factors created an unfavorable business case for extending the GT program in a landscape focused on scale, electrification, and mainstream performance offerings.
What happened after the discontinuation
Ford formally signaled the wind-down of the GT program with the end of the 2022 model year. The company stated it would continue to support existing GT owners and maintain parts availability for a defined period, even as new production ceased. While enthusiasts speculated about future variants or a successor, Ford did not announce a replacement street GT and has since prioritized other product programs and technology initiatives within its portfolio.
Impact on enthusiasts and the market
For collectors and owners, the discontinuation underscored the GT’s status as a rare, time-capsule interpretation of Ford’s performance legacy. The model’s exclusivity, coupled with ongoing support for current owners, helped preserve its allure even as production ended. Industry observers view the move as part of a broader industry trend: automakers sustaining heritage models for limited windows while focusing resources on electrified and higher-volume platforms.
How Ford supported GT owners and the community after discontinuation
Recognizing the GT’s devoted following, Ford outlined several steps to support current owners and preserve the GT community.
- Continued warranty and parts supply for a defined period after production ends, ensuring owners could service and maintain their cars.
- Access to specialized service through Ford’s network and trained technicians familiar with GT-specific components.
- Exclusive owner events, clubs, and driving experiences to maintain engagement with the GT community and brand heritage.
- Guidance on ownership considerations, resale, and ongoing maintenance to help owners manage the long-term value and reliability of their vehicles.
These measures helped sustain the GT’s legacy and kept the owner community connected as production ceased.
Summary
Ford’s decision to discontinue the GT after the 2022 model year was driven by a combination of cost, limited production, and strategic realignment toward electrification and mainstream, high-demand vehicles. The program’s near-legendary status remains intact in Ford’s history, and the company continues to support existing GT owners while shifting focus to its broader performance and technology roadmap. The GT’s place in Ford’s heritage endures, even as the company pivots to new frontiers in mobility and powertrain innovation.
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.
Was the Ford GT a success?
The Ford GT40's victory in 1966 was just the beginning. Ford went on to win Le Mans in 1967, solidifying its place in racing history. The car became an icon, not just for its racing success, but for the innovation it represented.
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.
