http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_dis...m?release=19014

check it out

 

Thanks for the post, no new info though =/
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2005 Mustang Launch is On Track

By: John Fossen | Ford Communications Network

FLAT ROCK, Mich., Oct. 11, 2004 – The launch of the all-new 2005 Mustang is on track, Louise Goeser, Ford vice president of Quality, told reporters gathered for the recent 2005 Mustang launch celebration at Auto Alliance International (AAI). In fact, Goeser said that all of the company's current North American launches -- which also include the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Escape Hybrid, Freestyle and Five Hundred, and the Mercury Montego and Mariner -- are hitting their targets based on Ford internal quality indicators.

The news is especially good for the Mustang, which already has generated 25,000 orders from anxious customers and piqued the interest of another 250,000 who want more information on the new pony car.

"By volume, the 2005 Mustang has produced an interest level that is seven times greater than seen during last year's new F-150 launch," said Goeser.

Built at the joint venture Ford-Mazda assembly facility in Flat Rock along with the MAZDA6, the Mustang is able to leverage the best practices from both companies, including the global Ford Production System, and Mazda's Kaizen System and Body Quality Development process. Ford even arranged for a J.D. Power staff evaluation of the new units to help ensure high customer satisfaction.

Plant employees have undergone extensive training. The U.S. Department of Labor contributed $5 million to train the 1,400 hourly employees who recently moved to the AAI facility while Ford invested $25 million for hiring and training the Mustang workforce. Some of the funds helped to create a high-tech training lab, which also will be accessible to thousands of area high school students. In addition, AAI has 307 Consumer-Driven 6-Sigma Green Belts and 12 Black Belts who are deployed throughout the facility. Six-Sigma, Ford's data-driven problem-solving process, has globally eliminated more than $2.19 billion in waste since 2001.

"This is a highly-trained, highly-skilled workforce," said Goeser. "Ford has made great strides in quality since 2001 in such areas as reduced warranty spending, initial quality and vehicle dependability. We still have a way to go, but I know that the AAI employees are dedicated to making Mustang the best it can be."

The 2005 Mustang is arriving in dealer showrooms this fall. Not only does it have stellar styling, but the 2005 Mustang's performance value is unparalleled. At $19,410 for the 2005 Mustang V-6 Coupe, Mustang is the only sports car in the market that delivers 210 horsepower for under $20,000. At a starting price of $24,995, the new Mustang GT Coupe, with its 4.6-liter 3-Valve V-8 engine, delivers 300 horsepower. There is no other production sports car that delivers 300 horsepower for less than $31,000.

 

sorry for the double post, forum was going batty

 

Are they talking about the STi?

 

The STi is not considered a sports car, it is a sedan (gotta watch the twists on language, marketing 101).

 

heck the magnum stationwagon has 340. That said, it's hard to think of a car for 27k offering this level of zoom.

 

Yeah, but whats the weight of the Magnum? Gotta be quite a bit heavier than a GTO. And thats pretty pricey as well.

 

The Magnum weighs 4100lbs and starts at 29k for the V8.