Even though its direct competition has all but disappeared in recent years, the Mustang isn’t doing so well in America. Ford sold only 23,551 cars in the first half of the year in the United States, down 14.2 percent compared to the first six months of 2024. But there’s more to the world than just America. Shocking, I know.
CEO Jim Farley revealed in a recent podcast with The Verge that more people are buying the pony car outside the U.S. than inside it. That gives Dearborn the confidence not only to keep the car on sale but also to secure its long-term future by pouring in money. Ford’s head honcho claims “everyone wants to do a burnout,” and the Mustang is the right tool for those seeking “a little slice of that America,” no matter where they are.
‘Actually, we’re doing really well with Mustang. I think we’re the only one left really, which we’re quite proud of. We’re investing a lot in Mustang. I think the thing people don’t get about Mustang is that it’s a global car. It’s the best-selling sports coupe in the world.’
In the same interview, Farley argued the car’s locked ECU hasn’t hindered sales. However, he admitted that his son didn’t buy the S650 generation because of its lack of tunability, opting instead for an older Mustang. It’s worth noting that the ECU was recently cracked by HP Tuners, opening the floodgates for the aftermarket scene to crank up power.
Photo by: Ford
But what if Farley had other cars in mind when he said Ford is investing in the Mustang? Not the Mach-E electric crossover, but the rumored Mach 4 sedan. A little over a year ago, Automotive News reported that some dealers were shown a rendering of a swoopy four-door coupe. There was also talk of a Baja-like off-roader with a lifted suspension and chunky tires.
The report further mentioned an EcoBoost derivative co-developed with RTR, a model that debuted this past January at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. If the report got it right about that car, it wouldn’t be surprising if the four-door and Baja versions are also on the way. Since the Mach-E is labeled as a Mustang, all bets are off.
Beyond a lineup expansion, the true Mustang could even receive a hybrid powertrain. While that might sound sacrilegious, increasingly strict emissions regulations in Europe and elsewhere make it harder to sell pure ICE cars. Still, the gas-powered model isn’t going anywhere. Recent reports indicate it will remain on sale well into the 2030s, and Farley was once quoted as saying there will never be a Mustang EV. Well, not counting the Mach-E.
Rumors of a lineup expansion have been swirling for years, and with Farley continuing to drop hints about new additions, it might just happen in the foreseeable future. If the real Mustang sticks around, then there’s really no harm, no foul. Automakers leveraging the strength of an established brand to launch additional namesake models is good for business, even if purists strongly disapprove of the strategy.
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