Ford Motor (F, Financial), the second-largest American automaker, has started making the sixth generation 2015 Mustang, giving it a completely new look after the last redesign in 2010. The American muscle car is being manufactured at the company’s Michigan Flat Rock facility. This time the company targets to export the car in more than 120 countries across the globe. Earlier the Mustang was mostly being marketed in North America, but Ford now plans to take it to the global market to increase its popularity and boost sales.
The real American muscle car
The 2015 Mustang is presently the most talked about cars in the U.S. auto market after it was unveiled last December. The "pony car" lovers are desperate to get their hands on the freshly redesigned next generation car. There have been several American cars that have sold across the world with huge acceptance. But no car has lasted for five long decades;Â it’s only the Mustang that’s enjoying the mounting popularity. And this time it’s expected to get even higher recognition after being exposed for sale to the global platform.
2015 Ford Mustang, Picture Courtesy - Ford
The Mustang's popularity can be weighed from the number of car fanatics that flocked from all over at the Detroit, Chicago and New York auto shows to get a glimpse of the iconic car. For those who plan to bring the car home, the wait shall be answered soon as the car is scheduled to hit dealers' showrooms in the U.S. in a couple of months, with higher chances in October. Petrol heads may finally get the chance to take the car for a test drive; however, interested buyers may be required to be a little more patient as the initial set of cars has already been pre-ordered.
With all looking set to go, can the Ford Mustang regain its lost position and overtake General Motors’ (GM, Financial) Chevy Camaro?
Face to face with the Camaro
With extravagant features and upgrades in the next generation Mustang, Ford is determined to overturn its plummeting sales for its iconic offering. Mustang sales had been pretty healthy before the redesigned 2010 Camaro attacked it in 2009. Mustang sales took a beating, declining by a significant 27% in the same year. Ford started feeling the heat, and the next year came out with the revamped version of the car. However, it didn’t really make a difference. Since 2010 the Camaro has maintained the sales lead. But Ford is not ready to pass on the reign so easily.
The second-best Detroit automaker launched the Mustang in 1964, which since then has seen more than 9 million deliveries. In the recent past sales have been a bit depressing with the Camaro snatching the position. The redesigned Camaro immediately stole the attention of Americans and took little time to get to the top. The trend has continued ever since, with the latest Camaro sales figure showing deliveries of 64,767 units, up 9.4% year on year. Mustang, on the other front, has clocked sales of 56,673 units, an increase of 3.5% over last year comparable period.
The redesigned Mustang is retaining the traditional exterior look with wider stance that gives the car a better driving experience. Some changes made to the car include enhancing the suspension system, introducing the rear wheel drive, and a three different engine options.
Parting thoughts
This time Ford has put in a lot of effort to give a fantastic halo car to make sure that car enthusiasts get awestruck by the very look and feel of it. Will Ford be able to instigate nostalgia and retain the classiness of the car while giving it a new life? Will the new Mustang appeal to the American audience like before and attract masses overseas? Answers to these questions will unravel gradually over the coming months.
