Ford GT Heads to Canada

TORONTO, July 7, 2005 -- For the first time, the Ford GT supercar will be available for sale in Canada, Joe Hinrichs, Ford of Canada president and CEO, announced at a press conference for the Champ Car World Series race in Toronto.

Those who had turned out for the chance to meet many of the Champ Car World Series drivers were surprised when a bright red Ford GT came around the corner, driven by Toronto native and Champ Car points leader Paul Tracy. Hinrichs got out of the passenger seat and made his way up to the podium to tell the crowd all about the Ford GT.

By: Matt Drennan-Scace | Ford Communications Network

Ford of Canada president and CEO Joe Hinrichs poses with a Ford GT at the Molson Indy event in Toronto.

"It is the ultimate legend, a true supercar that represents great moments from our past while signaling an exciting path to our future," said Hinrichs. "Ever since the Ford GT40 concept car was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in 2002, requests from Canadian car enthusiasts have been overwhelming. Now their dreams have come true."

Ford of Canada will offer 200 unique, limited production Canadian cars for sale during the 2006 model year after working with Markham, Ont.-based automotive supplier Multimatic Inc. to customize the vehicle to Canadian standards.

"Multimatic is extremely pleased to be working with Ford of Canada to bring one of the world's best supercars to Canadians. Having worked with Ford on the original development of the Ford GT concept vehicles, it is great to see that our partnership will bring this exclusive car to Canada," said Hao Wang, assistant general manager, Multimatic Technical Centre.

Multimatic supplies components, systems and engineering services to the global automotive industry and has operating divisions in North America and Europe with partners in Asia, South America and Australia.