02MustangGT

We can make some “educated” assumptions, but it’s all speculation as the product doesn’t exist in the market today. I feel like initial demand will result in perhaps 30k units the first year. In order to sustain success, I’d like to see this product usher in the hybrid era for the Mustang.

Counterpoint: you know who doesn’t know the actual ROI potential? Anyone on this board. You have no clue how profitable a 4 door Mustang would be and neither do I. If you trust Ford to make the right decisions based on the track record, good luck. It really depends on the market that many manufacturers have decided is no longer worth pursuing. It’s all debatable and you can have an opinion, but that’s all it is. We shall see how this plays out, hopefully Ford produces a desirable product that keeps the Mustang name alive and well positioned for years to come. IMO, that’s the ONLY reason to produce a 4 door Mustang.

I’m not saying it won’t be profitable and appreciate the optimism. I just don’t see this segment having any long term growth.

That’s not the narrative I’ve read on this board for years. Sedans are dead, remember? The recent Fusion was not an “18k bottom dollar sedan”. I highly doubt Ford will sell more than 10k Mustang sedans per year on average. Seems more likely that this is an attempt to fill unused plant capacity, satisfy the UAW agreement, and potentially keep the Mustang brand alive (or Farley’s dream of making vehicles that aren’t considered “commodity products”).

…but sedans don’t sell and are not profitable for Ford.

So something similar (B-pillar forward) to the Honda 0 SALOON? Or perhaps the new Prius?

Until it’s official, enjoy this article from Feb 2023 and quotes from the legend himself…Jim Farley. https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-wont-race-with-le-mans-imsa-wec-lmh-lmdh-prototypes-focused-on-f1-mustang-gt-racing/

Agree. Continue with the simplified approach (fewer trims/available options), but cut pricing on those existing models/trims. I’m sure the plan will change again in the near future anyway.

Yeah, to clarify, my comment regarding ATP wasn’t specific to the Bronco. If Ford’s plan is to build up inventory of lower priced trims and/or reintroduce base models as they allude to in the article, surely ATPs will decline across certain models. How much? Who knows, but this plan seems like the opposite of Ford’s intentions in recent years. I’m not surprised though.

Base trim returns to Bronco for MY 2025 (you are probably aware). I find this new “plan” somewhat ironic since ATP/profit per vehicle will likely decrease.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/01/ford-plans-to-increase-production-of-entry-level-trims/

Option C : sell more F-series to support poor planning and decisions. F-series, Bronco brand and Maverick aside, which other Ford models would you consider desirable from a general consumer perspective? Mustang could be, but IMO, Ford can do better and hopefully we will see the “plan” become a reality sometime in the near future. And by plan, I’m talking best (or near best) in class vehicles that meet profitability requirements.

I made that same point in a different thread while debating whether CAFE was the primary factor in lack of ICE Mustang sales (sell more F-series, earn more profit). The fact is…F-series and to some extent, other body on frame high profit vehicle sales pave the way for Ford to: 1. Continue to pay CAFE fines for low profit/non-compliant vehicles like the Mustang. (Granted, I don’t believe CAFE is much of a factor in sales numbers for the mild refresh turned “gen7” Mustang). 2. Continue to fund projects and decisions that have yet to result in any tangible product and/or profit. (Tomorrow is a new day though so perhaps Ford will soon surprise us with something special).

Yeah I know and it makes a lot of sense to build a midsize truck at an unused plant. I was just pointing out that the truck was a possibility back in 2023 and production at the Belvedere plant was scheduled for 2027 per the UAW agreement.

“We first became aware of the possibility for a new Ram mid-sizer at Belvidere in late 2023 when Stellantis and the UAW agreed to end the union's high-profile strike, leading to a leaked document that outlined Stellantis's production road map.“ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63527165/ram-mid-size-truck-confirmed-2027/