Steeda Welcomes Melvin Betancourt to Lead Steeda Design Team

POMPANO BEACH, FL - Steeda is proud to announce the appointment of Melvin Betancourt as Head of Design. A distinguished veteran of automotive design with over 35 years of experience at Ford Motor Company, Betancourt’s extensive career has defined a generation of performance and personalization within the Ford brand, especially the Mustang and Explorer.

Betancourt joins Steeda with an impressive legacy of iconic designs, having shaped every Mustang model from 1999 through 2023—a remarkable span of 24 years during which he became a key figure in Mustang’s ongoing evolution. As the Exterior Design Manager for numerous milestone models, including the 2005, 2013, and 2020 GT500 Mustangs, as well as special editions like the Bullitt Mustangs (all three editions) and the California Special, Betancourt consistently pushed the boundaries of Mustang design, honoring its legacy while infusing fresh, dynamic aesthetics.

Beyond the Mustang, Betancourt played a central role in Ford Performance design projects, bringing to life vehicles that embodied Ford's high-performance vision. His work on the Explorer, especially the 2011 model, exemplified his ability to merge function with standout styling, and his longstanding role as the primary design liaison between Ford and the SEMA Show solidified his influence over Ford’s aftermarket and specialty builds for over two decades. Through his collaboration with SEMA, Betancourt shaped countless feature vehicles, showcasing Ford’s adaptability and innovative spirit to industry enthusiasts worldwide.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melvin to the Steeda family,” said Dario Orlando, President of Steeda. “His passion for design and proven ability to lead teams in creating performance-driven, visually impactful vehicles align perfectly with Steeda’s commitment to engineering excellence and innovation. With Melvin’s guidance, we are excited to drive Steeda’s design philosophy into new territory.”

In his new role at Steeda, Betancourt will lead design initiatives for Steeda’s growing lineup of high-performance and specialty vehicles, utilizing his unique experience in both feature vehicles and vehicle personalization. A holder of a BFA in Industrial Design/Automotive Design from the Center for Creative Studies, Betancourt has demonstrated a keen ability to foster cross-functional collaboration among design, modeling, and engineering teams to deliver results that surpass expectations.

Reflecting on his new role, Betancourt shared, “I’m excited to join Steeda, where performance and design merge to create some of the most exciting vehicles on the road. Together with the talented team here, I look forward to shaping the next generation of Steeda vehicles, bringing my experience and passion for innovative design to a new chapter.”

With a remarkable portfolio of achievements, Betancourt’s appointment further elevates Steeda’s dedication to groundbreaking design and engineering. Steeda is honored to welcome him to the team as they continue to push the boundaries of performance and style in the automotive world.

About Steeda Autosports

Steeda has a proud heritage in crafting high-performance vehicles and parts that enhance the driving experience. With a relentless focus on quality and innovation, Steeda products are engineered to improve power, precision, and performance. Founded in 1988, Steeda is one of the most trusted names in performance engineering, proudly manufacturing products in the USA and serving driving enthusiasts worldwide.