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Team Mustang Leader

Who is Art Hyde?

Art Hyde's official title is the Mustang Chief Program Engineer overlooking the Team Mustang's Management Organization.

We've been reading Mr. Hyde's memos to Team Mustang members for almost a year now - those memos gave us some insight into just who Art Hyde is - all of which we liked.

But when we snuck into the Mustang's 2001-2003 meeting last week, we had a unique opportunity to not only learn about the future of the Mustang, but MORE importantly who is going to lead the Mustang into the next generation coded "S197".

As I walked through the parking lot to gain entrance into the meeting, I noticed an array of 1965-1995 Mustangs and other vehicles on display.

One car stuck out from the crowd - a green 1967 Lotus Elan roadster with a plaque stating "Mr. Art Hyde". Then I learned that he even owned one of those 70's European Capri's.

I thought that those cars can hardly be considered to be on the same par as the Mustang. Gee, maybe Mr. Hyde should have been given the top role in the design of the 2001 Thunderbird instead. That role seems a little more fitting with his preference of vehicles - .

Then I heard Mr. Hyde speak to the Mustang Team and it quickly changed my whole perspective. Mr. Hyde maybe into European sports cars, but when it comes to the Mustang, he's as serious as one could ever expect or hope for to lead the Mustang into its next generation. We should all be relieved for that!

It obviously takes a unique individual or someone familiar with the Mustang to be able to capture not only the classic design cues, but just what the Mustang means to people who own them. Art Hyde understands both of those elements - and more.

Consider that, after the Mustang's meeting was over Art (I feel I can call him Art) went outside and communicated with owners of Mustangs built since 1964!

Team Mustang, under Art's direction, gathered up Mustang owners and invited them and their cars to an outside "mini" car show. He even had the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, an Audi TT, a Corvette, Volvo's and a BMW M-5 Series on display as well.

We figured that Mr. Hyde would walk around looking at some the historical Mustangs on display. . .but then he proceeded to ask each owner what the Mustang meant to them? What is their fondest Mustang memory? What would you tell the 2003's Mustang design team to incorporate into the next design? and more.

Art even walked around stopping Mustang enthusiasts and those who aspire to someday own a Mustang very candid questions.

You might expect that to be the way design teams function, and you would be partially right. But Mr. Hyde was asking his questions and people answered them through loud speakers! This gave Mustang owners and enthusiasts the ability to express their thoughts and opinions directly to the Mustang Team. . .all while drinking soft drinks and eating baked pretzels. Now that's not normally how things are done.

I recall a moment when Mr. Hyde asked a Cobra owner what they liked about their vehicle, disliked about it and what Team Mustang could do differently to improve the car further.

Every question Art Hyde asked was loaded enough that it could have easily back fired in his face. His confidence and belief in the Mustang is easily understood.

What did Mustang fans tell Mr. Hyde they WANTED the most? To please DROP the rear wheel drive Mustang and make the Mustang a front wheel drive. Just kidding. Almost everyone said MORE power Art. Just give us more power man! I bet Mr. Hyde has nightmares about this whole horsepower issue!

So who is Art Hyde? He's that guy that has the management skills, enthusiasm and leadership necessary to further enhance the current Mustang and the wisdom that's going to deliver us one hell of a great product in 2003. . . . all while enhancing the last generation of SN-95's.

I guess guys who own European sports cars can be Mustang enthusiasts too.

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