More than four out of 10 dealers believe that reviving old model names is good for car sales, according to research carried out following the launch of Ford’s new Capri.
October’s new Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 32% think that bringing back the Capri (above and below) means that buyers will take a closer look at the new SUV EV that bears the name.
However, 39% think that the Capri name should be saved for a future sports car and 21% that the badge won’t influence buyers. Additionally, 16% of dealers don’t remember the original Capri name and 16% believe it means nothing to buyers.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “There are some old cars that people have very fond feelings about and the Capri is certainly one of those, so Ford’s decision to bring back the name for a modern electric SUV is an interesting one and has aroused at least a little controversy among some in the motor industry.
“We thought it would be interesting to ask dealers what they thought of the idea and there is a sizeable amount of support with a substantial number thinking that it’ll help the new model – although many believe that the name should be saved for a sports car that has more in common with the original.
“The fact that 16% of dealers don’t appear to have heard of the Capri probably makes some of us feel a little old but despite the affection in which the model is held by many, this is a model that went out of production almost four decades ago.”
The Ford Capri was styled by the Philip T Clark, who had shaped the Mustang before and was in production from 1968 to 1986, including assembly in Halewood, Merseyside.
It was based on the family Cortina mechanicals, sold with a variety of engines and the most powerful were raced and are now highly collectable fetching many thousands of pounds at auctions. Originally it was sold from £890.
The 1972 Capri RS3100 above was bought for £75,000 in June 2022.
The Ford Capri EV was announced by the company this summer and first models will be delivered to eager new owners in November, said the company this week.