Earlier today Steve Saleen officially announced that after several years of litigation he has successfully regained control of the Saleen brand name and the products he has created and built since 1984.“In 2007, it was a difficult decision to resign from Saleen, Inc.”, says Steve Saleen. “But I knew it had to be done in order to preserve the Saleen brand and to ensure the authenticity and high performance that our customers had come to expect.” Steve Saleen further added, “Although the Saleen brand is a huge part of my identity, I knew it was the vision and passion that would shine through on my signature vehicles. However, it couldn’t have been done without the support of the Saleen community. The foundation and inspiration that they gave me to move forward with my vision was what ultimately moved us to regain the Saleen branding. Most importantly the Saleen community gets their identity back as well.”
Jim Dvorak, who heads the Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club, explains, “There have been some tough times for the members of our community, starting with Steve’s resignation from Saleen, Inc. The company tried to tell us he retired, and even put a positive spin on it, but only some of us knew what was really going on. Most of the company was sold off, and then it changed hands again. Many of our owners and enthusiasts were feeling abandoned and confused, and quite frankly they were misled about what evolved and why. It has been especially confusing for new entrants into the hobby, but also for longtime followers of Steve Saleen who weren’t aware of the day-by-day happenings and didn’t have a direct line to Steve that we have.” SOEC is the officially-recognized organization for the marque, and has been a dedicated force behind Steve Saleen for decades.
The return of the Saleen brand will allow Steve Saleen to begin offering all of his current SMS Supercars products under the Saleen flag. With this move, SMS Supercars will be carefully integrated into the Saleen branded family of products.
Steve Saleen will also be launching under the Saleen brand its 4V, SC, SSC, and X Models of the 2013 Mustang, 2012 Challenger, and 2012 Camaro ranging from 425hp to over 750 horsepower. These models will have the latest technology in Aerodynamics, Suspension, Braking, and Performance starting at less than $40,000. This is expected to provide a full range of products for all Saleen dealers, speed shops, race teams, and automotive customers in the American Pony Car segment of the performance market. All aftermarket offerings will include Saleen superchargers, SMS superchargers, Saleen and SMS vehicle body components for Mustang, Challenger and Camaro, his signature SMS butterfly hoods, as well as all other interior and engine parts for these vehicles.
Having reunited with the Saleen brand, Mr. Saleen is planning to make available all 1984 to present Saleen vehicle aftermarket, replacement and warranty parts. These will be available through the Saleen.com website, by calling Saleen (formerly SMS Supercars) at 800-888-8945, or through the nearest authorized Saleen dealer.
Moving forward, Mr. Saleen will have the Saleen Owner’s Registry updated to include all SMS branded vehicles, which will allow them to gain their rightful place in the Saleen family. The Saleen Owner’s Registry is the official record established to maintain the authenticity and exclusivity of all Steve Saleen signature vehicles. Also, the Registry provides the lineage from which a Letter of Authenticity can be requested by an owner, which documents the origin, provenance, and authenticity of each signature vehicle.
Additionally, any current owners or dealers of SMS branded vehicles will be provided with replacement badging for their vehicles, if they so desire. They can contact the customer service division of Saleen directly, provide the details on their vehicle, and the replacement Saleen badging will be sent out immediately.
“With this new launch of Saleen and the new models on the horizon, we are excited about what the future holds for Steve, the brand, and especially for our members,” continues Dvorak. “It’s the best news we’ve had in many years, and will really inject the hobby with energy and passion!”
