Mustang production rises to 4,000 a week!

[Perian]

Source: Ford Motor Company
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Ford to Increase Mustang Production to Meet Runaway Consumer Demand
Thursday March 17, 9:57 am ET
- Ford will increase Mustang production to 192,000 in 2005
- 80,000 more than in 2004* 2005 Mustang is the hottest-selling car in the industry* Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in U.S. is a Mustang

DEARBORN, Mich., March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- What's an auto company to do when demand for a hot model exceeds supply? Give the customers what they want.

Ford today announced that it will take production of the hot new Mustang to more than 192,000 units in 2005 -- an increase of more than 70 percent, or 80,000 units, from the previous year.

"Ford Mustang is the hottest car in the industry, and its performance on the street and in the showrooms is beating everyone's expectations," says Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. "Sales are up more than 45 percent over last year, and V-8 GT and convertible model demand is so strong that we haven't been able to build enough.

"We're planning to increase production well beyond what was initially planned. This will allow us to sell 160,000 - 165,000 Mustangs in the U.S. this year."

Since its launch in the fall of 2004, the new model Mustang has been an instant sensation with new car buyers. Sales of the 2005 model, coupled with the sell-down of the prior model, have sent overall Mustang sales to record levels every month since launch.

The higher-end Mustang GT V-8 models are in short supply, and the much anticipated new convertible model is just beginning to arrive at dealerships in time for spring. Traditionally, May and June are the hottest selling months for convertible models.

In the key U.S. market, overall Mustang sales are up more than 45 percent on a retail basis over last year, a feat accomplished without the support of the convertible model, which traditionally accounts for one-third of overall Mustang volume. Based on the current sales trajectory, Ford expects to sell about 160,000 - 165,000 Mustangs in the U.S. for the 2005 calendar year. In Canada, where Mustang was named 2005 Canadian Car of the Year, sales continue their triple-digit month-after-month rise, topping records set more than a decade ago.

[paul8488]

Go Ford! That's impressive, no matter what anyone says. Will theys ustain it for 5 years? Maybe not. Who knows. But you can't knock a runaway hit like that. Just ask Chrysler. ANyone know when GM last had a super hit like that? Not being silly... I really wonder. Aveo has done well, but maybe not that impressive.

[giagastormer]

I'm curious to see how well it does in the long run.

[gmsickofan]

Maybe in 7 years the demand will die down a bit, and then we will call it a failure? I just want to see Ford keep the care up to date and relevant - and redesign it when the time comes.

[dav305z]

You know its a good thing that GM canceled the Camaro when they did. The bottom really seems to be falling out of the coupe market just as they said it was.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

I'm curious to see how well it does in the long run.

It'll do well.

Ford knows how to handle the Mustang. Don't worry about it.

[TriShield]

Automotive popcorn.

[free_energy0]

I have only seen one of these droopy-eyed poseur "sports car" on the road.

[turbotoad]

Originally Posted by paul8488

ANyone know when GM last had a super hit like that?

When the Pontiac Fiero came out GM couldn't build them fast enough (250,000 or so for the first year). However, because of some quality issues (wow, big surprise there!) and lackluster performance , it was only a couple of years later that sales had dropped off substantially. The last year of production in 1988 only saw some 30,000 come off of the line. Saddly GM killed it just after they finally got the redesigned suspension dialed in and the performance of the car matched it's sporty appearance.

[gmsickofan]

C'mon guys...

[Driveshaft]

I don't think they'll change the design of this one for a long time. The look is so classic and I think Ford would be stupid to get rid of it any time soon (like 8-10 years, I think).

Still though, that's awesome.

[RWD60]

Chrysler... exciting design, RWD V-8 for less than 35k.... huge success, only semi-domestic to gain market share in late 04/early 05..
Ford.... exciting desgin, RWD V-8 for less than 30k... huge success, might even get some market share off this by summer time...
GM... ummm.... yeah....

[paul8488]

Oh geez... okay, fine. The Ford Mustang is a big stoopid poser jerk car. That happens to be selling at an incredible rate with few incentives. What has GM got in its stable that is more impressive? Vette? Amazing car, priced beyond most peoples reach. G6 coupe and 'vert? Well if the Mustang (V6 or V8, RWD) is a poser, not sure what the FWD G6 is. GTO? Not loved by many. It's great to build a super car, but means little if no one buys it. Cobalt SS? Great little car, but again, can't get more poser than a FWD, 4 cylinder sports car, can you? That leaves... the Camaro? You can give GM credit if you want for deciding that, if it can't build the best sports car for $25,000, it won't, fine... but GM would LOVE the cash the Mustang is bringing in at Ford right now. The domestics can worry about how 'poser' their cars are once they pay the bills.

[spdwayGm]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Oh geez... okay, fine. The Ford Mustang is a big stoopid poser jerk car. That happens to be selling at an incredible rate with few incentives. What has GM got in its stable that is more impressive? Vette? Amazing car, priced beyond most peoples reach. G6 coupe and 'vert? Well if the Mustang (V6 or V8, RWD) is a poser, not sure what the FWD G6 is. GTO? Not loved by many. It's great to build a super car, but means little if no one buys it. Cobalt SS? Great little car, but again, can't get more poser than a FWD, 4 cylinder sports car, can you? That leaves... the Camaro? You can give GM credit if you want for deciding that, if it can't build the best sports car for $25,000, it won't, fine... but GM would LOVE the cash the Mustang is bringing in at Ford right now. The domestics can worry about how 'poser' their cars are once they pay the bills.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

How about a FWD MCSS? for $38k.......anybody?

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

everytime I see one of those on the road I say to myself, "now that's a Mustang".

Take a hint GM. I know there's allot of complaints about 'retro'. But the '07 Camaro should look like a 1967-1969 Camaro. If there is gonna be an '07 Camaro, i'm sure the concept is already pretty well defined, however.

Imagine a new Mustang and a 'retro-looking' '07 Camaro lined up at a street light...