Saleen Launches new supercar brand

Developing fast cars for the global market
by Thami Masemola
March 17, 2008 12:41 PM
Filed Under: American, Corporate/Financial, Specialty Marques

Steve Saleen, the man, the living legend, is going after the world’s premier supercars in a big way. By launching the new brand SMS Limited, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles, Saleen is getting ready to design, develop and manufacture vehicles, parts, accessories and other motor componentry to the highest standards. This will apply mostly to the high-performance sector.

“SMS will enable us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles,” says Saleen. “We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS to create world-class specialty vehicles. We are currently developing our Signature Series of ultra high performance vehicles and technical performance parts which will address the new American Muscle Car offerings our charter focuses on delivering the best solutions at the best performance value to the varied world of the automotive enthusiast, be they Dodge, Chevrolet or Ford faithful.”

This is the man that brought us the S7, Saleen S331 Sport Truck, and oversaw the development of the Ford GT. Saleen is developing high performance vehicles “which will address the new American Muscle Car offerings”. We certainly don’t doubt the Saleen brand in any way, and hope to see some of these new bravo cars on the road soon.

Source: SMS Limited USA
Press Release (Click to expand)

Steve Saleen announced today the formation of “SMS Limited”, Lifestyle Performance Automobiles, the pinnacle brand in his portfolio of companies. As a professional race driver and innovative businessman, Steve is well known as the founder of numerous Steve Saleen Brands including Saleen Autosport in 1983, Saleen Productions in 1993, Saleen Speedlab in 1997, Saleen Performance in 1999, Saleen, Inc. in 2001 and now SMS Limited in 2008. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, product development, sales and marketing.

His latest endeavor will focus on the expansion into the high-end of the diverse American Muscle Car and
Global Supercar markets. “I am drawing upon 25 years of rich experience in the automotive industry to address the rapidly expanding global market of automotive lifestyle vehicles, technical performance parts, accessories and apparel” explains
Steve Saleen, Chairman and CEO of SMS Limited. “SMS will enable us to do what could not be done at Saleen, Inc. due to their heritage with the Ford dealer network and Ford vehicles. We are using this freedom, along with our new technology developed at SMS to create world-class specialty vehicles.”
“We are currently developing our Signature Series of ultra high performance vehicles and technical performance parts which will address the new American Muscle Car offerings”, discloses Mr. Saleen, “our charter focuses on delivering the best solutions at the best performance value to the varied world of the automotive enthusiast, be they Dodge, Chevrolet or Ford faithful.”

“Supercar fans will be delighted to learn about the all-new vehicles and new technology we are currently developing”, reveals Mr. Saleen “these cars will deliver superior performance and innovation for both the track day enthusiast and the passionate on-road driver”. Billy Tally, Chief Technical Officer, adds, “These vehicles have been engineered to meet the demands of the world’s most challenging race tracks”. Mr. Saleen continues, “Sportscar racing enthusiasts will be excited about the upcoming announcement of our return to racing in the American LeMans Series. You will hear more about that very soon.”
“Developing and manufacturing cars is one thing, but selling them is quite another” continues Mr. Saleen, “We will be bringing our new and unique automotive lifestyle retail experience to a number of global markets. Watch out for more interesting news on our distribution and retail plans in a few weeks”. Mr. Saleen concludes “The time is right; we have the talent, the new technology, the funding and the drive to achieve our goals. We will be the brand of choice for the community and culture of the automotive enthusiast”.

Background:

SMS Limited Lifestyle Performance Automobiles™
SMS Limited
We are a niche volume manufacturer of lifestyle ultra high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. We design, engineer, test, certify, manufacture and assemble all our vehicles and products with passion, precision and technology. We race, we win, and we succeed.
SMS Limited Corporate Directors
• Steve Saleen, Chairman, CEO – As a professional race driver and innovative businessman, Steve is well known as the founder of numerous Steve Saleen Brands including Saleen Autosport in 1983, Saleen Productions in 1993, Saleen Speedlab in 1997, Saleen Performance in 1999, Saleen, Inc. in 2001 and now SMS Limited in 2008. In the years of building the many brands, Mr. Saleen oversaw and participated in every aspect of the business, product development, sales and marketing. SMS Limited is launched as the pinnacle brand in the Steve Saleen portfolio.
• Billy Tally, Chief Technology Officer – Billy Tally has been heavily involved in motorcycle and automotive racing as well as in automotive production for over 25 years. His extensive hands on approach to powertrain design and development, engine development, vehicle dynamics and emerging technologies have led the programs to countless pole positions, wins, championships and to commercial success. Billy has worked closely with Mr. Saleen for over 10 years and was responsible for the engineering of the Saleen S7 as well as the numerous programs that have followed.
• Phil Frank, Chief Creative Officer – Phil Frank, an innovative and creative designer has been involved in the automotive, product and environment design world for over fifteen years. His talents and capabilities are broad and deep, spanning the field of innovation, conceptualization, design, CAD development, tooling, engineering, management and marketing. Phil was responsible for the design and development of all the Saleen vehicles since 1994, including the S7. He was also instrumental in the design and storytelling in the Saleen Store as well.
SMS Limited Core Competencies
SMS Limited Services
SMS Limited consulting services deliver world class expertise in the world of design, engineering, testing, certification, manufacturing and assembly for our client’s vehicles and products. Our team consists of icons and innovators from the world of specialty vehicle performance, design and manufacturing.


Past Vehicle Programs
In his automotive career, Steve Saleen has created, produced and marketed numerous groundbreaking specialty vehicles and programs such as the Saleen S7, four generations of Saleen S281 Mustangs, Saleen S121 Focus, Saleen S331 Sport Truck, Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition, and has overseen the engineering, development and manufacturing of the Ford GT. Further capabilities include show car and movie car development for such block buster films as “Transformers”.

Design, Engineering, Testing and Certification
Our design and engineering development teams collaborate to ensure that every component, feature and function is designed to exude quality and to exceed the highest industry standards. From the first sketch to the first production part to the final certification we work as a team to develop innovative solutions in a timely and cost effective manner for ourselves and for our clients.

Manufacturing, Assembly and Production
Our manufacturing and assembly teams collaborate regularly with our engineering development team to ensure that the appropriate processes, tooling, sourcing and timing are considered early in every program. This sharing of ideas throughout the business also ensures that every aspect of a program is considered and understood by the entire enterprise to keep the team working towards the common goal.

World Headquarters
Our 150,000 square foot R&D facility is designed for collaboration, efficiency and security. The state-of the-artdesign, development, prototype, machining, testing and composites groups support our clients, our manufacturing, our production and our race team. The parts we race with are the parts we produce our cars with. We are the brand of choice for the community and culture of the automotive enthusiast.

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Comments

haha, Ford's low sales has left its tuner with slow business.

by pzigly | March 17, 2008 1:28 PM
why you need a new brand if you just have A car, caled "super car" try to have a few ones like porshe or ferrari, then try to be biger, I guess

by _M7_ | March 17, 2008 2:41 PM
Saleen is synanymous with the Ford brand. He doesn't want to be limited to working strictly with them anymore. Just as in all relationships...he feels the need to explore new things...meet new people...work on the Camaro, Corvettes etc.

by schizo0223 | March 18, 2008 10:33 AM
To me the S7 has always been a mixture of C5 Vette in the rear and McLaren F1 everywhere else but with some fancy venting. Cool car but not worth 550,000$.

by radmeister | March 17, 2008 9:37 PM
Yo...its hand built....by gerbils and their hamster friends...who's not worth 550,000 dollars now? Yes...it doesn't look like a car worth that much money but it is a small company and almost all the work is done in house. I really never liked the gills; it all looks like someone tried too hard...saleen...don't worry...you're already cool.

by []V[]orbid[]V[]an | March 19, 2008 10:32 AM

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