MOTORING NEWS - The Ford Mustang is truly a cultural icon inspiring optimism, freedom and independence, which was recently celebrated with the production of its 10-millionth car at the Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan.
Ford Mustang is the best-selling sports car of the last 50 years, has featured in more movies and has more Facebook followers than any other car in the world. There are cars more powerful, faster and more sleek or luxurious, but the Mustang is a head turner.
So it has come as no surprise that the re-launch of the vehicle in 2015 took the US and the rest of the world by storm. Ford simply can't build enough for the demand. This led to a decision to phase out all other Ford car models for the US market and build only the Mustang and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in future. A brave decision that may prove very profitable.
The 10-millionth Mustang is a high-tech, 343kW muscle car in its sixth generation. It appears in Wimbledon White with a GT V8 six-speed convertible saluting VIN 001 - the first serialised 1964 Ford Mustang that featured a 122kW, three-speed V8 engine.
More than 60 Ford Mustang owners of all model years assembled for a tribute to the 10-millionth "Pony Car" by spelling out the milestone with their cars, followed by a P-51 Mustang fighter plane flyover to celebrate its namesake.
"Mustang is the heart and soul of this company and a favourite around the world," said Jim Farley, president of global markets, Ford Motor Company. "I get the same thrill seeing a Mustang roll down a street in Detroit, London or Beijing that I felt when I bought my first car - a 1966 Mustang coupé that I drove across the country as a teenager. Mustang is a smile-maker in any language."
Ford marked the milestone with employee celebrations at its Dearborn headquarters and its Flat Rock assembly plant, including flyovers from three WW II-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes and Mustangs produced for more than five decades parading from Dearborn to Flat Rock, where Mustang currently is manufactured.
During its 54-year production history, the car was also built in San Jose, California, Metuchen in New Jersey and the original Mustang production facility in Dearborn, Michigan.
Mustang is America's best-selling sports car over the last 50 years, based on a Ford analysis of 1966 to 2018 total US new vehicle cumulative registrations for all sports car segments supplied by IHS Markit.
The latest Ford Mustang offers more technology, exhilarating performance and more personalisation than before.
The iconic Mustang Bullitt returns for the 2019 model year, with an exclusive 4 358kW 5,0-litre V8 engine, plus distinctive design and trim. The classic California Special also returns with unique design and trim enhancements.
All 5,0-litre V8 2019 Mustangs with manual transmissions offer rev-matching downshifts to the six-speed Mustang GT, while the EcoBoost engine version gets an optional quad-tip fully active exhaust. The car comes with an all new custom-tuned B&O high-performance sound system. The available Apple CarPlayT compatibility for Ford+ Alexa and Waze via SYNC 3 will further satisfy audiophiles.
The Ford Mustang is now in its sixth generation. In addition to its sales leadership, the Mustang page has more likes on Facebook than any other vehicle nameplate.
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