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Motor Authority - blog Tag: Saleen

  • Newly acquired Saleen Performance Vehicles releases 435S Mustang

    Newly acquired Saleen Performance Vehicles releases 435S Mustang July 23rd, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, July 23rd, 2009 James Martinez 2 Comments

    Newly acquired Saleen Performance Vehicles releases 435S Mustang Hot on the heels of the highly-modified 460 series Ford Mustangs from Steve Saleen’s SMS performance workshop comes a new worked-over Mustang bearing the Saleen name - but all isn’t as it seems. The latest 435S Ford Mustang is the creation of Saleen Performance Vehicles, which is now owned by Michigan-based MJ Acquisitions and no longer has any links with Steve Saleen.

    Both Steve Saleen and MJ Acquisitions are involved in a law suit over the use of the Saleen name but until that battle is resolved it appears that MJ Acquisitions can release as many Saleen branded models as its wants.

    The new 435S was unveiled this week at an... Hot on the heels of the highly-modified 460 series Ford Mustangs from Steve Saleen’s SMS performance workshop comes a new worked-over Mustang bearing the Saleen name - but all isn’t as it seems. The latest 435S Ford Mustang is the creation of Saleen Performance Vehicles, which is now owned by Michigan-based MJ Acquisitions and no longer has any links with Steve Saleen. Both Steve Saleen and MJ Acquisitions are involved in a law suit over the use of the Saleen name but until that battle is resolved it appears that MJ Acquisitions can release as many Saleen branded models as its wants. The new 435S was unveiled this week at an enthusiasts' event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The car is fitted with a Saleen Series VI supercharger and makes 435hp (324kW) and 425lb-ft (575Nm) of torque from its uprated 4.6L V8. Other features include a short-throw shifter for the five-speed manual transmission. To differentiate the 435S from your run-of-the-mill 2010 Ford Mustang, Saleen Performance Vehicles has lowered the car by 1.5in with a Racecraft suspension kit. The exterior of the car has also been fitted with Saleen badging and chevrons, as well as a set of custom 18in alloy wheels. The 435S is actually the first of a series of new performance Mustangs from Saleen Performance Vehicles. The company plans to unveil a more powerful version at SEMA later in the year and first sales should start by next spring. Read More

  • SMS drops new pictures, pricing on 460 Mustang

    SMS drops new pictures, pricing on 460 Mustang July 22nd, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 22nd, 2009 Kenneth Hall 1 Comment

    SMS drops new pictures, pricing on 460 Mustang Following the release of its first official product, the 570 series Dodge Challenger, American performance carmaker SMS Supercar has finally revealed new details and images for its new 460 Mustang based on the 2010 model year pony car. The reveal follows on the heels of some legal interludes with former Steve Saleen company and now MJ Acquisitions-owned Saleen, Inc., but SMS isn't letting that dampen its progress toward its next-gen super-'Stang.

    The lineup will consist of two new vehicles, the SMS 460 and SMS 460X, both fully certified and street legal and fitted with custom supercharged V8s delivering 470hp (350kW) and 427lb-ft (578Nm) of... Following the release of its first official product, the 570 series Dodge Challenger, American performance carmaker SMS Supercar has finally revealed new details and images for its new 460 Mustang based on the 2010 model year pony car. The reveal follows on the heels of some legal interludes with former Steve Saleen company and now MJ Acquisitions-owned Saleen, Inc., but SMS isn't letting that dampen its progress toward its next-gen super-'Stang. The lineup will consist of two new vehicles, the SMS 460 and SMS 460X, both fully certified and street legal and fitted with custom supercharged V8s delivering 470hp (350kW) and 427lb-ft (578Nm) of torque and 655hp (488kW) and 600lb-ft (812Nm) of torque respectively. The new images, which are computer renderings of the finished product, were revealed at a special event this week in Seattle. Along with the photos, an ordering guide on the SMS Supercars website reveals the MSRP of the 460 Mustang to be $64,990 for the Coupe and $69,990 for the Convertible. Those are pretty steep prices, but considering the power and features on tap, it's at least arguably reasonable. Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual on the 4.6L 460 or a 6-speed SMST manual on the top of the line 5.0L 460X. The 460 Mustang is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in the low 4-second range, while the 460X should manage the same run even quicker. In addition to engine output, handling and braking play an equally important role - all that power is useless without control. To deliver that control, the cars are fitted with Saleen’s latest Watt's linkage suspension with a completely revised geometry. New SMS brakes front and rear deliver stopping power to match the straight-line speed, though specific figures on stopping distances from 60 or 70mph haven't been released. To set them apart from the pack, the SMS 460 Mustangs will also feature a host of external visual and technical modifications. The front fascia treatment, SMS Red Butterfly Air Induction HoodTM, front and side splitters, rear fascia and diffuser with high down-force rear wing show the way Saleen is looking at Mustangs today. The performance theme continues inside with Alcantara and leather trim on the seats, dash and center console. Towards the end of the year, or possibly in early 2010, SMS will add a modified Chevrolet Camaro to its lineup, raising the pony car rivalry to a new level.Saleen SMS 570 Dodge Challenger seriesSMS 460 based on the 2010 Ford Mustang Read More

  • SMS Supercars suing MJ Acquisitions over Saleen name

    SMS Supercars suing MJ Acquisitions over Saleen name July 20th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 20th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 2 Comments

    SMS Supercars suing MJ Acquisitions over Saleen name Last week we reported on a pair of new Saleen Mustangs due by 2010, and the chain of transfers that has seen the Saleen, Inc. brand end up in the hands of Micheal Shields and MJ Acquisitions. Now Steve Saleen and his new company, SMS Supercars, have announced a lawsuit launched to defend use of the Saleen name.

    The point of the suit is to prohibit MJ Acquisitions from using the Saleen name - not to stop it from turning out custom Mustangs or aftermarket parts. But Steve Saleen and SMS Supercars don't want to see the Saleen image tainted by MJ Acquisition's use.

    He has fair reason for concern. Back in February, the 'old' Saleen - the one... Last week we reported on a pair of new Saleen Mustangs due by 2010, and the chain of transfers that has seen the Saleen, Inc. brand end up in the hands of Micheal Shields and MJ Acquisitions. Now Steve Saleen and his new company, SMS Supercars, have announced a lawsuit launched to defend use of the Saleen name. The point of the suit is to prohibit MJ Acquisitions from using the Saleen name - not to stop it from turning out custom Mustangs or aftermarket parts. But Steve Saleen and SMS Supercars don't want to see the Saleen image tainted by MJ Acquisition's use. He has fair reason for concern. Back in February, the 'old' Saleen - the one without Steve Saleen on board - announced it would no longer honor warranties on any cars sold. Even then SMS was looking out for the Saleen brand name, and stepped up to honor those warranties - even though they were effectively the obligations of a completely unrelated company. If SMS wins its bid to secure a court order prohibiting use of the Saleen name by its new owners, it will draw a bright line on what is and isn't a genuine Saleen, but it won't necessarily spell the end of the upcoming modded Mustangs from MJ Acquisitions, so enthusiasts on both sides of the dispute can take some measure of comfort.SMS 460 based on the 2010 Ford Mustang Read More

  • Two new Mustangs due from Saleen Performance by 2010

    Two new Mustangs due from Saleen Performance by 2010 July 16th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 16th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Two new Mustangs due from Saleen Performance by 2010 The Saleen Performance Vehicles brand has had a tricky recent history, with the Saleen, Inc., business changing hands and names and seeing its business goals change from the days when Steve Saleen - now heading up SMS Supercars - was at the helm. But we haven't seen the last of the high-performance Mustangs from Saleen, with the new ownership announcing two new models on the way over the next year.

    The first car is expected to roll onto the custom scene at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina later this month. No details on the cars are being teased ahead of their debut, but expect it to live up to the Saleen reputation.

    “They are going to... The Saleen Performance Vehicles brand has had a tricky recent history, with the Saleen, Inc., business changing hands and names and seeing its business goals change from the days when Steve Saleen - now heading up SMS Supercars - was at the helm. But we haven't seen the last of the high-performance Mustangs from Saleen, with the new ownership announcing two new models on the way over the next year. The first car is expected to roll onto the custom scene at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina later this month. No details on the cars are being teased ahead of their debut, but expect it to live up to the Saleen reputation. “They are going to be very consistent with past products,” Saleen Performance Vehicles CEO Michael Shields told AutoWeek. “They are going to be a next generation.” More details are expected to be revealed at the event next week. The second car won't come along until next spring at the earliest. Both cars are expected to feature extensive use of Saleen's custom parts lines, including superchargers developed within the MJ Acquisitions automotive and engineering group that purchased part of the parts business from Saleen, Inc. back in February. Read More

  • Steve Saleen to honor warranties voided by Saleen, Inc

    Steve Saleen to honor warranties voided by Saleen, Inc April 3rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, April 3rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Steve Saleen to honor warranties voided by Saleen, Inc After Steve Saleen resigned from Saleen, Inc. in 2007, the company, under its new leadership, sold the majority of its aftermarket business to MJ Acquisitions on February 2, 2009. About a month later, the new ownership decided to shut down Saleen, Inc. after selling off the supercharger, aftermarket and high-performance parts business.

    That meant that all warranties on parts sold by Saleen, Inc. through February 2, 2009 would be worthless - effectively voided. So rather than see the brand he created - though he no longer owns it - go down in such a manner, Steve Saleen has stepped in and announced he'll be backing those warranties through... After Steve Saleen resigned from Saleen, Inc. in 2007, the company, under its new leadership, sold the majority of its aftermarket business to MJ Acquisitions on February 2, 2009. About a month later, the new ownership decided to shut down Saleen, Inc. after selling off the supercharger, aftermarket and high-performance parts business. That meant that all warranties on parts sold by Saleen, Inc. through February 2, 2009 would be worthless - effectively voided. So rather than see the brand he created - though he no longer owns it - go down in such a manner, Steve Saleen has stepped in and announced he'll be backing those warranties through his new business, SMS Supercars. "I was saddened about the way the current owners of the proud company I founded, and which held onto my name after my departure two years ago, have now dealt with my loyal and longtime customers," said Saleen in a statement. He continued, "The ones who have been left out in the cold are the loyal customers of Saleen products. While my new company, SMS Supercars, has no legal or moral obligation to take up any of the warranty claims against Saleen Inc. or MJ Acquisitions, Inc., I would like to make a bold statement on the right way to treat customers." "If any Saleen customer in the United States who purchased a Saleen Inc. product up until February 2, 2009, has a warranty claim, they can directly contact my new company, SMS Supercars," continued Saleen, "We will honor their remaining warranties as if they were SMS Supercars warranties." The move is one not often seen these days, and it says a lot about the man and how he does business. It might not be the right thing to do by the corporate bean counters, but it's definitely the right thing to do by Saleen's customers. And in the long run it may very well result in a loyalty that pays SMS back with interest.Saleen SMS 570 Dodge Challenger series Read More

  • Saleen, Inc. voids all warranties on cars and parts sold before February 2, 2009

    Saleen, Inc. voids all warranties on cars and parts sold before February 2, 2009 March 9th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, March 9th, 2009 James Martinez 6 Comments

    Saleen, Inc. voids all warranties on cars and parts sold before February 2, 2009 Saleen Automotive announced last November that it was seeking a potential buyer, with management acknowledging the firm has suffered financially from the economic downturn and rising fuel prices. In February Saleen announced the sale of its supercharger, aftermarket and high-performance street vehicle business elements to MJ Acquisitions, and now Saleen, Inc. has ceased operation and declared all warranties on Saleen cars and parts - no matter whether new, used or unsold and sitting on dealer lots - are void.

    All warranties created before February 2, 2009 were to be serviced by Saleen, Inc., but with the company's cessation of operations,... Saleen Automotive announced last November that it was seeking a potential buyer, with management acknowledging the firm has suffered financially from the economic downturn and rising fuel prices. In February Saleen announced the sale of its supercharger, aftermarket and high-performance street vehicle business elements to MJ Acquisitions, and now Saleen, Inc. has ceased operation and declared all warranties on Saleen cars and parts - no matter whether new, used or unsold and sitting on dealer lots - are void. All warranties created before February 2, 2009 were to be serviced by Saleen, Inc., but with the company's cessation of operations, that leaves those buyers out in the cold, and responsible for their own warranty costs. Future warranties on parts purchased after February 2, 2009 from the new Saleen owned by MJ Acquisitions will carry a full 12 month/12,000mi warranty, however, said Jim Dvorak of the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club in a letter to members this week. Saleen's sale to MJ Acquisitions earlier this year resulted in essentially complete unemployment for Saleen's workforce, though the new company did hire back some workers. Not sold in the previously announced deal were Saleen's S5 Raptor and S7 supercars and the company's paint operations. "We are working with the talented team from Saleen and our own experts to continue the quality, delivery, and performance the customer base and dealership network have come to expect from the Saleen brand," said Mike Shields, President and CEO of MJ Acquisitions, at the announcement of the acquisition. Saleen was a specialty vehicle manufacturer and a long-time tuner Ford tuner, and most recently unveiled its own concept vehicle, the Raptor S5S. The company has close links Ford and its dealer network, and is responsible for part of the assembly of some of the Detroit carmaker's limited production vehicles. In 2004 controlling interest was sold to investment group Hancock Park Associates in an effort to raise capital, however there were reportedly a number of major conflicts within the company, mostly between the Saleen family and the new management board. The company has faced a number of hurdles since then, having lost its founder Steve Saleen, who chose to start another venture, dubbed SMS after his initials, in 2007 and CEO Paul Wilbur in August of 2008. September saw additional departures of many senior officials and a freeze on production of many major product lines. Saleen has also been selling its office and factory equipment in a clearinghouse style auction, with more than 20 brand new 2008 Mustang GTs, tools, cabinets, office equipment, and factory machinery all going under the hammer toward the end of last year. Read More

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