It Looks Like Ford's Performance Division Could Change Its Name From SVT To 999

The Ford Special Vehicle Team, known as SVT, is the Blue Oval’s band of engineers responsible for injecting performance into its cars. And it looks like it could be getting a change of name.

An online survey has been issued to a focus group on behalf of ‘a major automotive manufacturer,’ which is looking for a new name for its ‘performance division.’ That new name is ‘999,’ and according to Jalopnik’s source, the survey later states it is being conducted on behalf of Ford.

It seems like a strange move. Sure, 999 has significance - it is the name of the first Ford race car, built in 1901 - but it doesn’t necessarily make sense for a performance division. To the average consumer, it’ll mean nothing. At least with SVT you can explain that it means ‘Special Vehicle Team,’ and they’ll shell out cash because they understand that it’s special. Try explaining it’s an homage to a 100-year-old race car that has no specific relevance to the vehicle they’re buying, and you’ll lose them.

What do you reckon? Good move, or change for the sake of change?