Ford sales July 2025

[morgan20]

15 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

The redesign was a big swing-and-a-miss IMO. 

 

16 minutes ago, pictor said:

You can complain all you want about the iconic nature of the Mustang, the truth is two door sports coupe and muscle cars are shrinking market.  The people have spoken, they want practical vehicles with good visibility over slinky coupes that can carry a passenger and two small overnight bags.  

 

Yea, you're both right. If Ford Mustangs are going to remain an icon for many years to come as the head honcho wants, Ford has to introduce new Mustang variants just like they did with MME a few years ago. Maybe the CE1 project will have somethin' in store to keep the Mustang name alive and well for the next 10, 20, 30 years

[rmc523]

16 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

The redesign was a big swing-and-a-miss IMO. I never saw a single media member excited about it and the general public seemed to react with a resounding “meh.”

Need a major refresh, not the standard minor bumper change they’ve been going with the last 10 years. 

 

1 hour ago, pictor said:

You can complain all you want about the iconic nature of the Mustang, the truth is two door sports coupe and muscle cars are shrinking market.  The people have spoken, they want practical vehicles with good visibility over slinky coupes that can carry a passenger and two small overnight bags.  Only the wealthy have the drive way space for a weekend toy.  I hope the  opening up of the International market is enough to keep Mustang alive but I fear that current trade environment is going to make that difficult. 

 

 

I think both are true.

 

I think the redesign went too last-gen Camaro in that it didn't look different enough from the last model for buyers to be like "I gotta have that".  Vs. the 2015 that was a big step forward for the design.

 

Couple that with prices increasing on everything, but also Mustang itself, causing buyers to target more "jack of all trades" vehicles now with purchases instead of a fun 2nd car.

 

I know the arguments of pricing with inflation, etc. etc. but if other items are more and more expensive, extra toys like a sports car are going to get the ax in favor of something more practical.

 

I thought there'd be a bit more of a built-in cushion with Camaro and Challenger going away, but that's evaporated, and I think the tepid redesign has to do with it.

 

---

 

I've said it a few times, but I'm thinking the 4-door will usher in a more thorough than usual MCE for the coupe/vert.

[akirby]

The only area I see where the current design might hurt sales is repeat lease customers who want something different.  There is nothing in the current design that would stop someone from buying if they truly want a new Mustang.

 

If someone doesn’t like the design, what would they buy instead?

[rmc523]

54 minutes ago, akirby said:

The only area I see where the current design might hurt sales is repeat lease customers who want something different.  There is nothing in the current design that would stop someone from buying if they truly want a new Mustang.

 

If someone doesn’t like the design, what would they buy instead?

 

Another vehicle form altogether, which is what we're seeing in sales numbers....

[bzcat]

Ford needs to start pumping out more desirable special edition of Mustang to pull in the buyers. 

 

It's been a while since the last Bullitt and Mach 1. 

[rmc523]

11 minutes ago, bzcat said:

Ford needs to start pumping out more desirable special edition of Mustang to pull in the buyers. 

 

It's been a while since the last Bullitt and Mach 1. 

 

Meh, those won't move the sales needle.

[bzcat]

13 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

Meh, those won't move the sales needle.

 

Mustang doesn't need more sales per se since it will never make money. It's just not possible to get to 250+K annual production volume it will need to breakeven on the production line. Ford is keeping it around because it has marketing value to the Ford brand. Mustang just needs to maintain buyer interests and generate higher margin so Ford is not losing too much money. 

 

Limited production runs is proven way to generate interest and maintain margin on niche enthusiast focused product like Mustang. 

Edited August 6 by bzcat

[Sherminator98]

I like the current Mustang, its an improvement over the 2018 refresh that went backwards in the looks department at least with the front fascia. 

 

But I also believe that the market is moving on from compromised cars (i.e. 2 doors) that only work as second and third vehicles unless your really dedicated to the cause.

 

If you want something fast, you can get a Explorer ST that is roughly 1 second slower in the 1/4 mile for the same amount of money a Mustang GT goes for and is a whole lot more practical. 

[akirby]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

 

Another vehicle form altogether, which is what we're seeing in sales numbers....

Then I would argue they didn’t really want a Mustang to begin with.  Or they just couldn’t afford it.

[akirby]

1 hour ago, bzcat said:

Ford needs to start pumping out more desirable special edition of Mustang to pull in the buyers. 

 

It's been a while since the last Bullitt and Mach 1. 

(cough) Dark Horse (cough)……

[Havelock]

3 hours ago, akirby said:

The only area I see where the current design might hurt sales is repeat lease customers who want something different.  There is nothing in the current design that would stop someone from buying if they truly want a new Mustang.

 

If someone doesn’t like the design, what would they buy instead?

A used S550 mustang.  Mechanically the new one isn't a noticable improvement.  The interior and exterior of the new one look worse to me.  The used one is much cheaper...a low mileage used 2020+ S550 gt convertible is cheaper than a new eco boost convertible in my area.  I guess the warranty would be the selling point for the new one.

[akirby]

13 minutes ago, Havelock said:

A used S550 mustang.  Mechanically the new one isn't a noticable improvement.  The interior and exterior of the new one look worse to me.  The used one is much cheaper...a low mileage used 2020+ S550 gt convertible is cheaper than a new eco boost convertible in my area.  I guess the warranty would be the selling point for the new one.

That’s fair but for every person who prefers S550 there is one who prefers the new one.  Personal preference.  And I’m sure price plays a much bigger role.

[morgan20]

On 8/6/2025 at 2:51 PM, Sherminator98 said:

If you want something fast, you can get a Explorer ST that is roughly 1 second slower in the 1/4 mile for the same amount of money a Mustang GT goes for and is a whole lot more practical. 

 

Better yet, you can get a MME GT with Performance Upgrade that is roughly 0.5 second faster in the 1/4 mile for $8,400 less than what a Mustang Dark Horse goes for and is a whole lot more practical. 

[bzcat]

On 8/6/2025 at 12:34 PM, akirby said:

(cough) Dark Horse (cough)……

 

Dark Horse is just a fancy name for GT Track Performance package. It's not the same as a limited production run themed special or performance edition that would peek collector interest. Looking at auction sites like BAT for clues to what is the most desirable S550 and S197 Mustangs and they are invariably the limited run themed editions - Boss302, Bullitt, Mach 1, GT350, GT500 etc.

 

Don't get me wrong... I think Dark Horse is a great idea vs. just an option code - it does create focus and interest. But it's not quite it because there is no scarcity around Dark Horse... no FOMO. Ford will build as many as dealer will order. [edit: I think also the name lacks any historical context which maybe not helping]

 

Ford needs to create scarcity to keep the buzz around Mustang nameplate... limited production run of something really cool is the way to do it. But they need to do it right of course. Look at the frenzy surrounding some of the special 911... I'm not saying Ford needs to copy everything Porsche is doing but if Farley want Mustang to carry the torch for Ford performance car, it needs to replicate the scarcity and FOMO.

 

If you want to see an example of doing it wrong, see Nissan's attempt at NISMO Z... the car has the NISMO name but has the wrong transmission and no buzz. 

 

Edited August 8 by bzcat

[jpd80]

Perhaps that’s why Mustang GTD exists, something exotic, limited production and exclusivity.

[DeluxeStang]

On 8/5/2025 at 3:01 PM, fuzzymoomoo said:

The redesign was a big swing-and-a-miss IMO. I never saw a single media member excited about it and the general public seemed to react with a resounding “meh.”

Need a major refresh, not the standard minor bumper change they’ve been going with the last 10 years. 

I kinda hope the s650 is a shorter generation, I like certain elements of it, but I kinda agree, it's a little lack luster. If s750 releases near the end of the 2020s, I think it'll be fine, but if the plan is to have s650 around about as long as the s550 lasted, yikes. 

 

There are elements of the s650 design that I really like, the rear quarter panel is a lot more muscular than the s550s for instance, I really like the character line that cuts from the top of the quarter panel down towards the bottom of the car, looks really unique and striking, the front end looks more like a proper muscle car than the s550, and the concaved rear end gives me '67 decklid vibes so I dig that. 

 

But removing a lot of the sharper lines from the side was a mistake, the diffuser isn't very well integrated, and I with the wheelbase was longer with a more dramatic dash to axle ratio. 

 

With Kemal Curic, designer of the s550, back running the show at ford performance design, and the guy who helped design the Ford GT and bronco serving as the head of Ford's overall design team, I'm reluctantly optimistic that the next gen mustang will be a lot more striking. 

[DeluxeStang]

On 8/6/2025 at 6:50 AM, morgan20 said:

 

 

Yea, you're both right. If Ford Mustangs are going to remain an icon for many years to come as the head honcho wants, Ford has to introduce new Mustang variants just like they did with MME a few years ago. Maybe the CE1 project will have somethin' in store to keep the Mustang name alive and well for the next 10, 20, 30 years

A CE1 sporty hatchback with styling inspiration from the fox body might be an interesting idea to consider. It's clear mustang fans want different, opposing things, some want the mustang to retain its V8, and it needs to keep getting bigger for that to happen in order to meet CAFE standards, but enthusiasts also want a smaller, more nimble, and affordable mustang.

 

We can't do all of that with 1 car, but if Ford expands the mustang sub brand with more models, they can appeal to both crowds. Keeping the V8 coupe alive, evolving the design to make it more striking and timeless, while keeping the V8 at a higher price point, and offering a smaller, more nimble mustang hatchback for a price maybe starting in the high 20s or low 30s. 

 

Keep the seductive 60s inspired muscle car styling on the full sized coupe, as that seems to have broader appeal, and give the hatchback design cues from the 80s and 90s that are better suited to an EV. 

 

Offering multiple models, you appeal to enthusiasts who want a coupe, and those who want a more practical hatchback, to people who want a V8, and to people who want something more affordable, to people who want a larger, more exotic mustang, and people who want a small, better handling one. Then there's the fact that a hatchback would appeal to more people than a coupe even outside of traditional enthusiasts. 

Edited August 9 by DeluxeStang

[Motorpsychology]

8 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

A CE1 sporty hatchback with styling inspiration from the fox body might be an interesting idea to consider. It's clear mustang fans want different, opposing things, some want the mustang to retain its V8, and it needs to keep getting bigger for that to happen in order to meet CAFE standards, but enthusiasts also want a smaller, more nimble, and affordable mustang.

 

We can't do all of that with 1 car, but if Ford expands the mustang sub brand with more models, they can appeal to both crowds. Keeping the V8 coupe alive, evolving the design to make it more striking and timeless, while keeping the V8 at a higher price point, and offering a smaller, more nimble mustang hatchback for a price maybe starting in the high 20s or low 30s. 

 

Keep the seductive 60s inspired muscle car styling on the full sized coupe, as that seems to have broader appeal, and give the hatchback design cues from the 80s and 90s that are better suited to an EV. 

 

Offering multiple models, you appeal to enthusiasts who want a coupe, and those who want a more practical hatchback, to people who want a V8, and to people who want something more affordable, to people who want a larger, more exotic mustang, and people who want a small, better handling one. Then there's the fact that a hatchback would appeal to more people than a coupe even outside of traditional enthusiasts. 

Ok let me throw a wet log on the fire: Bring back Mercury. Mercury could have the edgier styling, maybe a slightly larger footprint than a "budget," milder styled Ford, and some exclusive options,  Much like was done in the 60s & 70s with Mustang and Cougar. The Mustang retains its icon status without diluting it with sedans, suvs, pickups, etc, and Merc would carry all of the above. Ford could do clean sheet styling without the need to include legacy styling cues.

[Sherminator98]

35 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

Ok let me throw a wet log on the fire: Bring back Mercury. Mercury could have the edgier styling, maybe a slightly larger footprint than a "budget," milder styled Ford, and some exclusive options,  Much like was done in the 60s & 70s with Mustang and Cougar. The Mustang retains its icon status without diluting it with sedans, suvs, pickups, etc, and Merc would carry all of the above. Ford could do clean sheet styling without the need to include legacy styling cues.

 

Nah that wouldn't work at all...the Mustang needs to evolve a bit-adding a Sedan and having the Mach E won't dilute the Brand. 

[akirby]

40 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

Ok let me throw a wet log on the fire: Bring back Mercury. Mercury could have the edgier styling, maybe a slightly larger footprint than a "budget," milder styled Ford, and some exclusive options,  Much like was done in the 60s & 70s with Mustang and Cougar. The Mustang retains its icon status without diluting it with sedans, suvs, pickups, etc, and Merc would carry all of the above. Ford could do clean sheet styling without the need to include legacy styling cues.

Throwing away the legacy Mustang name and styling would be a huge mistake and the overhead of a new brand just isn’t worth it.  
 

If you do want different styling then give it a different model name and/or make it a Lincoln.

[rmc523]

On 8/9/2025 at 12:06 AM, DeluxeStang said:

A CE1 sporty hatchback with styling inspiration from the fox body might be an interesting idea to consider. It's clear mustang fans want different, opposing things, some want the mustang to retain its V8, and it needs to keep getting bigger for that to happen in order to meet CAFE standards, but enthusiasts also want a smaller, more nimble, and affordable mustang.

 

We can't do all of that with 1 car, but if Ford expands the mustang sub brand with more models, they can appeal to both crowds. Keeping the V8 coupe alive, evolving the design to make it more striking and timeless, while keeping the V8 at a higher price point, and offering a smaller, more nimble mustang hatchback for a price maybe starting in the high 20s or low 30s. 

 

Keep the seductive 60s inspired muscle car styling on the full sized coupe, as that seems to have broader appeal, and give the hatchback design cues from the 80s and 90s that are better suited to an EV. 

 

Offering multiple models, you appeal to enthusiasts who want a coupe, and those who want a more practical hatchback, to people who want a V8, and to people who want something more affordable, to people who want a larger, more exotic mustang, and people who want a small, better handling one. Then there's the fact that a hatchback would appeal to more people than a coupe even outside of traditional enthusiasts. 

im in the camp of don’t dilute Mustang name by slapping it on 15 products

[DeluxeStang]

4 hours ago, rmc523 said:

im in the camp of don’t dilute Mustang name by slapping it on 15 products

I'd argue having multiple mustang products doesn't detract from the mustang coupe. Using Porsche as an example, I'd argue Porsche as a brand is more desirable now while offering multiple crossovers, a sedan, and multiple sports cars, than they were when they basically only offered the 911. I personally believe offering multiple models adds appeal to the brand. 

 

Having more models also allows each model to be more specialized and less compromised. Case in point with the coupe and sedan, the coupe has compromised proportions because it has to package a backseat that most people will never use. Imagine once a sedan comes out, that will appeal to mustang owners who want a more practical rear seat, so most people who care about rear seat use will buy that over the coupe. 

 

Ford can then turn the coupe into a 2 seater with a larger hood, take the back seats out saving a tiny amount of weight and cost, and offering a sexier, more dedicated sports car, because it doesn't have to burden itself as much with practicality. 

[akirby]

10 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

I'd argue having multiple mustang products doesn't detract from the mustang coupe. Using Porsche as an example, I'd argue Porsche as a brand is more desirable now while offering multiple crossovers, a sedan, and multiple sports cars, than they were when they basically only offered the 911. I personally believe offering multiple models adds appeal to the brand. 

 

Having more models also allows each model to be more specialized and less compromised. Case in point with the coupe and sedan, the coupe has compromised proportions because it has to package a backseat that most people will never use. Imagine once a sedan comes out, that will appeal to mustang owners who want a more practical rear seat, so most people who care about rear seat use will buy that over the coupe. 

 

Ford can then turn the coupe into a 2 seater with a larger hood, take the back seats out saving a tiny amount of weight and cost, and offering a sexier, more dedicated sports car, because it doesn't have to burden itself as much with practicality. 

It has to happen to turn Mustang into a sub brand rather than just one vehicle.  And nobody calls MME “Mustang” - it’s MME or Mach-E.  BMW has 3, 5 and 7 coupes and sedans and SUVs that all look basically the same.

[DeluxeStang]

1 minute ago, akirby said:

It has to happen to turn Mustang into a sub brand rather than just one vehicle.  And nobody calls MME “Mustang” - it’s MME or Mach-E.  BMW has 3, 5 and 7 coupes and sedans and SUVs that all look basically the same.

It does, I support the mustang sub-brand idea because that's what it's gonna take for the mustang to survive. I also have the mentality that if the mustang brand is what ford needs to do to justify making badass performance cars, then so be it. If we get a V8 RWD sedan, I'm not gonna complain that it's called a mustang, I'm gonna be happy we got a new V8 RWD sedan. 

[rmc523]

19 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

I'd argue having multiple mustang products doesn't detract from the mustang coupe. Using Porsche as an example, I'd argue Porsche as a brand is more desirable now while offering multiple crossovers, a sedan, and multiple sports cars, than they were when they basically only offered the 911. I personally believe offering multiple models adds appeal to the brand. 

 

Having more models also allows each model to be more specialized and less compromised. Case in point with the coupe and sedan, the coupe has compromised proportions because it has to package a backseat that most people will never use. Imagine once a sedan comes out, that will appeal to mustang owners who want a more practical rear seat, so most people who care about rear seat use will buy that over the coupe. 

 

Ford can then turn the coupe into a 2 seater with a larger hood, take the back seats out saving a tiny amount of weight and cost, and offering a sexier, more dedicated sports car, because it doesn't have to burden itself as much with practicality. 

 

I'll never understand this argument in general (others have used it too).  You're talking about a BRAND, vs. a MODEL being shoehorned as a sub-brand.

 

Porsche didn't call it 911 Cayenne, a 911 Macan.  It's a Porsche Cayenne.  A Porsche Macan.

 

You can do a sub-brand with a few models.  Coupe/vert is effectively a single model.  A 4-door makes sense, as it'll be similar sheetmetal.  MME is what it is at this point.  I just think expanding beyond that starts feeling like "we have to slap Mustang on everything for it to get attention".  I'd say the same if/when they start slapping Explorer on 15 products.

 

Also, why would you take the rear seats out of Mustang - something it's had since inception?  So let's make it even less appealing to buyers?  Then convertible buyers that want 4 seats have no option at all?  Completely unnecessary, IMO.

Edited August 11 by rmc523