Ford to increase production of the Mustang by 70% because...

[Illforgetmyname]

...nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in U.S. is a Mustang!

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050317/deth013_3.html

Looks like there was quite a demand for a stylish, reasonably practical, car that goes like stink, yet is still affordable.

This is awesome. I can't remember the last time I heard about an exciting sports car selling well. All I've been hearing about is boring SUVs adding DVD players and other mini-van features or huge rebates and good finacing terms. Here a company proves if you simply make a great car you can sell it without stupid gizmos or special deals.

 

[JNasty4G63]

I can't remember the last time I heard about an exciting sports car selling well......Here a company proves if you simply make a great car you can sell it without stupid gizmos or special deals.

Not knocking the Mustang, its great to see what their doing with it. But, I believe the new Nissan Z did the same thing. Those were on order for a long time when released, and still sell VERY well. All while just offering what people want. A fun and stylish sports car with no gimmicks. Its just great chassis, mixed with great engine, wrapped in a great body. So, yes, the Mustang is doing well. But, its not the only one putting that formula to great use.

Hilg

 

[a6m5]

I love how both Ford and Nissan kept those cars affordable. 👍

 

[DrogoGTO]

I guess that explains the
14 WEEKS
its going to take until I can drive mine home... 👎

But if Ford is making 70% more, maybe the wait times will drop by a similar amount?

 

[Jmac279]

It's hard not to sell 13.8 second 1/4 mile times for $24,995 MSRP

 

[Illforgetmyname]

Not knocking the Mustang, its great to see what their doing with it. But, I believe the new Nissan Z did the same thing. Those were on order for a long time when released, and still sell VERY well. All while just offering what people want. A fun and stylish sports car with no gimmicks. Its just great chassis, mixed with great engine, wrapped in a great body. So, yes, the Mustang is doing well. But, its not the only one putting that formula to great use.
Hilg

Yeah, there are other good vehicles out there doing well in their own way. The new Corvette for example. But the new Mustang is in a completely different league than the rest. It manged to the right combination of looks, price, performance, and magic in a way that no other car has. Look at Nissan's sales for the 350Z. Initially a over 3000 a month, but down to 2138 last month. You consider that to be selling VERY well.

The Mustang will be at nearly 200,000 next year! 16,000 a month is quite a bit more, almost as much in one month as the 350Z would sell in an entire year. Sure, Nissan's 350Z (and Mazda's RX8, Subaru's WRX, Pontiac's GTO etc) is an excellent car, but Ford managed to create both an excellent sports car, and at the same time managed to create something that a ton of people want. And they've been rewarded with nearly half the market for it.

I know you weren't knocking the Mustang or it's sales, I just wanted to show how impressive the sales are. I'm of course not trying to coralate a relationship between a car's sales and how good it is. I'm just saying congratulations Ford for making a great car that is selling incredably well.

 

[JNasty4G63]

Initially a over 3000 a month, but down to 2138 last month......You consider that to be selling VERY well.

For a small, sport oriented, 2 seat coupe or convertible, yes. I do. You have to remember, this is a car that only seats 2 people. You can't go and pick up the kids in this, or really do much besides drive and have fun. Huge sales??? No, not in the big scope of the automotive world. Huge sales for a sporty, 2-seat, RWD coupe??? HELL YES!!!!

The Mustang will be at nearly 200,000 next year! 16,000 a month is quite a bit more......And they've been rewarded with nearly half the market for it.

Don't forget, with the Mustang, you also have Hertz and other rental companys buying them. Think how many that is??? If people know they can rent the new Mustang at Hertz, or whoever else has them, don't you think that will help rental sales??? Do I want to buy a new Mustang??? Not in the slightest. Would I like to rent one on vacation and beat the crap out of it for a week or so??? HELL YES!!!!

Hilg

 

[misnblu]

Geez, here we go again.
Dime a dozen cars that lose their appeal from a perspective of getting tired of seeing them. 👎
They look good now but if every Tom, Dick, and Harriet are going to buy one then might as well count me out.
Me too is way to "in" these days and would look to something different than "I want it too" mentality.
The 350Z is a car that won't be sold out like the Mustang, will retain its exclusivity and has a chassis that out performs the Mustang any day of the week. The "F" platform of the G35 and 350Z is one rock solid chassis and the Mustang uses the Jaguar XKE platform, minus the IRS. Die hard Mustang fans would'nt have wanted the IRS as they wouldn't or couldn't know how to work on one, much less add the power that diehard Mustang owners want from their cars.
Every time I see those new Mustangs, think I'm looking at the '67 fastback and having lived through those times, seeing the actual '67 on the roads then, don't want to see them again.
Misnblu

 

[skip0110]

It's hard not to sell 13.8 second 1/4 mile times for $24,995 MSRP

You could pick up a Z28 Camaro with no options for about $21K that had a similar (slightly less) quarter mile time. Somehow Chevy managed not to be able to compete in the 2 door coupe market with that car. Was it just bad marketing, or the fact that it looked like you were smuggling a brick of heroin under the passerger-side footwell carpet?

 

[1X83Z]

Car of the year for a reason, folks.

350Z is less practical and doesn't offer engine choices, duh? It still beat our sales goals, and continues to beat month-to-month goals in nearly every state.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

Car of the year for a reason, folks.

What other criteria do you use when selecting car of the year?

350Z is less practical and doesn't offer engine choices, duh?

Destroying your own company's car?

It still beat our sales goals, and continues to beat month-to-month goals in nearly every state.

Is it the extra seats and engine choices? Both the Mustang and Z are automotive icons.

 

[JNasty4G63]

.....The "F" platform of the G35 and 350Z is one rock solid chassis.....

Its the FM chassis. Stands for "Front Midship" chassis, because the engine actually sits behind the center-line of the front wheel, making it technically a mid-engine vehicle. Thats one of the keys to the Z having such good handling balance. The Z, G35, Murano, and FX all use some variant of the chassis. And, as you said, its a fantastic chassis that can be adapted to many forms.

Hilg

 

[a6m5]

350Z is less practical and doesn't offer engine choices, duh? It still beat our sales goals, and continues to beat month-to-month goals in nearly every state.

I don't think one's better than the other. They are both great cars in its' own way IMO.

Its the FM chassis. Stands for "Front Midship" chassis, because the engine actually sits behind the center-line of the front wheel, making it technically a mid-engine vehicle.

I forgot all about that. It's an very refreshing idea. 👍

 

[1X83Z]

What other criteria do you use when selecting car of the year?

It varies based on the class but typically price, horsepower, standard features, price of optional features, availability of optional features, interior size, handling, acceleration, and fuel economy.

Destroying your own company's car?

No, I'm merely accounting for the sales differences. If the 350Z offered a small V6 like the Mustang does in addition to the 3.5, it would probably sell better.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

It varies based on the class but typically price, horsepower, standard features, price of optional features, availability of optional features, interior size, handling, acceleration, and fuel economy.

Cool.

No, I'm merely accounting for the sales differences. If the 350Z offered a small V6 like the Mustang does in addition to the 3.5, it would probably sell better.

What about 2 extra seats, and a longer wheelbase? *edited*

 

[skip0110]

What about offering the M45 V8?

 

[MrktMkr1986]

What about offering the M45 V8?

Space, weight distribution, costs, insurance...

Why stop there?! Stuff the 5.6-liter 305-horsepower V8 into it! Nissan 560Z! 385 lb./ft. of torque --

 

[1X83Z]

What about 2 extra seats, and a longer wheelbase? *edited*

Same deal - it'd give it more appeal and more sales. But the goal of the 350Z isn't mass appeal, which is why the Mustang outsells it thirteen to one or whatever the figure was.

What about offering the M45 V8?

No point there - the six-cylinder 350Z already puts out nearly as much power as the Mustang's 4.6-liter V8. If anything the 350Z needs to add a smaller V6 like the old 3.3 from the trucks. Frankly I wouldn't like that though since the 350Z isn't the mass-appeal car that the Mustang is.

 

[Sage]

Speaking of Mustangs, a senior at my school has a new black Mustang GT… gorgeous car. Today I noticed though that somebody tore off the big GT emblem thingie off the back. 👎 Now there are exposed drill holes and gluey stuff.

 

[Jmac279]

You could pick up a Z28 Camaro with no options for about $21K that had a similar (slightly less) quarter mile time. Somehow Chevy managed not to be able to compete in the 2 door coupe market with that car. Was it just bad marketing, or the fact that it looked like you were smuggling a brick of heroin under the passerger-side footwell carpet?

The Z28 Camaro had an MSRP of $29,925 in 2002 with no options ...

Agreed on the interior of the Camaro ... Big car, not a whole lot of room ... and way too much crappy plastic ...

 

[JNasty4G63]

The Z28 Camaro had an MSRP of $29,925 in 2002 with no options ...

I think he was talking about the Camaro back in the mid to late 90's. Back then, you could order one with pretty much nothing in it, for right around $22k. It had cloth, no ac, no stereo, the usual go fast type stuff. While not officially called this from GM, it was called the "police package" in F-body circles because that was basically the same car State Patrol offices would get when ordering a Z28 for Highway Patrol use. Now again, it wasn't a popular option group, but it was available. Even, then, if you got just your basic "normal" Z28, they were only like $24-25k. They started to get more expensive the last few years they made them, from '00-'02, because they started to just put things in the car standard, instead of options. They were going to be getting rid of the car anyway, so no since in trying to cut costs.

Hilg

 

[Sniffs]

something to keep in mind tho...Mustang is the Survivor of the american GT coupe market. with the death of camaro, it's the only thing left in the true pony car group. the SST is getting bashed upside the head...car and Driver said "they dropped the Camaro for THIS?"

with the SUV craze rolling along like a H1 heading downhill, the ponycar market will stay dead. i've shown some people the new "heritage" design of the mustang, and so far the universal reaction has been "EWWWWWWWW"

*shakes head* i'm one of those poor people who won't see dual airbags untill I grow a spare tire. i currently own a 91 Taurus L and a 91 Acclaim base...i've just gotten my firs "1st gen airbag" cars...

 

[fangorn_forest]

misnblu, it uses the same platform as in the Jaguar X-Type, not the XKE.

Sniffs, I can't speak for you or your friends, but probably 80-90% of people I talk to personally love the new Mustang's exterior. Oh, btw, it's SSR not SST.

 

[misnblu]

Sorry for some of the close but not on descriptions of the various chassis that I described. It's hard to remember all of the exact specs of all the cars you know with full detail.
On the issue of the 350Z, they come in 3 different states of tuning with the topline model ready for the race track.
The least expensive model being the slowest and not having all of the goodies that the enthusiast needs or likes.
Engine options? 👎
Sorry, but that makes all of the Mustangs you see a V6 with an occasional GT model in the mix. With the Cobra coming and a couple of others too, will add nothing but confusion and makes the poor guy with the high zoot engine look at all the look alikes and wonder what his resale value is going to be in the future. 👎
Different philosophy here ppl. Dime a dozen is what that means, me too cars for those with no individuality. Well, I guess you could call an engine option being individual.
Sorry, I'm sick of Mustangs, their owners, and the philosophy that Ford has with their cars.
Retro sucks.
Misnblu

 

[skip0110]

Engine options? 👎
Sorry, but that makes all of the Mustangs you see a V6 with an occasional GT model in the mix. With the Cobra coming and a couple of others too, will add nothing but confusion and makes the poor guy with the high zoot engine look at all the look alikes and wonder what his resale value is going to be in the future. 👎
...
Retro sucks.
Misnblu

Although I agree that the new Mustang's styling is not timeless, I do think that their model range (V6, V8, Cobra) is ideal. Cobra Mustangs in the past have retained value very well, and it is the sale of these (frankly a very small percentage of Mustang sales) that makes the V6 model desirable. The V6 is likely the profit maker for Ford, which allows them to offer the 300 hp V8 for less than competitors with similar horsepower. Everyone wins--those who want a stylish coupe as well as the gearheads.

 

[super cirrus]

Although I agree that the new Mustang's styling is not timeless, I do think that their model range (V6, V8, Cobra) is ideal. Cobra Mustangs in the past have retained value very well, and it is the sale of these (frankly a very small percentage of Mustang sales) that makes the V6 model desirable. The V6 is likely the profit maker for Ford, which allows them to offer the 300 hp V8 for less than competitors with similar horsepower. Everyone wins--those who want a stylish coupe as well as the gearheads.

Bingo!! Sell a version in evey price bracket to make more money.

 

[JNasty4G63]

.....On the issue of the 350Z, they come in 3 different states of tuning with the topline model ready for the race track.
The least expensive model being the slowest and not having all of the goodies that the enthusiast needs or likes.

Well, not quite. There is only a slight difference between models in the Z line. All come with the 3.5 VQ35 V6, but the "Track" model and the new "35th Anniversary" get a slight bump in power. The 4 other versions get "287hp and 275lb/ft" with the Track and 35th getting "300hp and 260lb/ft" because of a slight higher tune on the ecu. But thats it. A litte more power, a little less torque. Other than that and the Brembos, its just interior and cosmetic tweaks between models. They all perform very similar, just depends on how much comfort and convenience you want (NAV, leather, HID.....).

If you want the "enthusaist goodies" as you call them, you pay for it, like with every other company. If you want the best performing racer, you buy the "Track" version and get Brembos, lightweight Rays forged wheels, better tires, and better aero. But, just like with every company, you pay for it. You can't just expect to get Brembos and things like that for free.

I think you might be referring to the Nismo S-Tune and R-Tune lines. Those aren't acual models though. You can order PARTS from those lines, but they don't sell a "350Z S-Tune" that you can order. You can go to the dealer, and order Nismo parts for your Z, but its still just a 350Z. Its like ordering TRD parts for a Celica or whatever. You don't now have a TRD Celica, you just have a car with factory approved parts. Thats all. So, between actual Z models, there isn't much of any difference in performance.

 

[misnblu]

JNasty4G63 , I agree and reading the Sport Compact Magazine over a year ago, seems they've changed things a bit since that article.
Dang, it's ashame I don't have a memory like an elephant.
So many cars, specs, and information to remember and yes, gets confusing.
Thanks for the information man. 👍

BTw ppl, I'm not knocking the Mustang or really hate it, it's just that you see too many of them and you just don't notice them like something that is not as popular.
Gotta give Ford credit, they are on their way to more success.
M isnblu

 

[Sniffs]

your probably not old eough yet to remember seeing 6 million "fox" body mustangs, which drives ME crazy. at least it's not GM's belated PT cruiser clone you have to look at...HHT, i think it is.

 

[misnblu]

your probably not old eough yet to remember seeing 6 million "fox" body mustangs, which drives ME crazy. at least it's not GM's belated PT cruiser clone you have to look at...HHT, i think it is.

If this was referred to me, I'm 45 and was 10 years old during the height of the muscle car era.
That's the problem, I know too many cars from Sport Compacts to muscle cars to the '50s finned wonders.
But yeah, I do remember those and that is why I've made those posts.
Misnblu