I did my part and bought mine on Valentines day.....

 

So, will the next model be refreshed, or the one after that?

 

FWIW http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/02/1...now/index.html

 

Where I live in New England, this winter we are about to set the record for the lowest snowfall ever. So far this winter we have less than 1 foot total snow.

Last winter was horrible, it seemed like we got 3-4" of snow every 3-4 days. And as AFBlue gave the link to, we got a couple big storms with 1-1/2 to 2' of snow. 50 miles from me they got >3' in one of those storms. IIRC althoug we fell short of record snowfall last winter, the total snowfall was about 170% of normal.

 

Numbers for Mustang always increase in the spring. Keep the faith. Competition is still a year or more off. Fords biggest problem is the stagnent HP figures. Lots of indicators though that this will be addressed.

 

Nothing "simple" about economics.

No offense, but I don't think the weather has anything to do with it, any more or less than any other year.

I think the novelty wearing off, coupled with all the bad news going on with Ford right now (tends to make buyers nervous), plus the increased cost of gasoline recently (for many people a muscle car is a part-time toy), along with the anticipation of a new Camaro offering potentially superior performance credentials, have all conspired to play a part in reduced sales.

 

I agree with you on the weather and the novelty wearing off, but I don't think most buyers even have a clue about Ford's recent business news.
I think it just a natural thing that always occurs after a model has been out for 3 years with little to no change. Sales will decline over time.

 

It was reported Friday that Mustang sales are down 19% YOY. However that's pretty good given the car is in it's 3rd year and cars of its type usually see a much more dramatic downturn after the first year. Ford is said to be putting together some cool incentives for the spring to carry the car through the 2008 model year.

 

I hope you are right on the incentives

 

I wouldn't make that assumption. Ford's recent woes have been all over the mainstream news.

 

You apparently don't realize that most Americans are more concerned about Britney shaving her head and where Anna Nicole will be buried than the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or especially the domestic auto business.

Just because it's in the news and you are paying attention doesn't mean that most Americans are. I'm telling you, most Americans don't know or care about Ford's woes and even if they did, it would have very little impact on Mustang sales.

 

Well, I agree that the news networks seem obsessed with reporting that Anna Nicole rubbish recently, but I cannot agree with the comments about Iraq, for example. That is FONT AND CENTER in the minds of most Americans right now, and the recent election results prove it.

Plus, I've seen plenty of coverage about Ford's woes. People not shopping for vehicles may process it in one ear and out the other, but if you're in the market for a car, and are doing your due diligence, it's registered, trust me.

 

I agree! Most American have little real understanding of the woes of any of the big three automakers. Sadly many of us have been desensitized by todays brand of sensationalism, er journalism.

Personally I think this warrants a wait and see attitude. If the monthly sales figures continue to decrease then it'll be time to worry.

 

Most American's didn't vote in that election. Most Americans are only concerned about what happens within a 25 mile radius of their house.

I'm not talking about the politically active ones that read the new papers and watch news show; I'm talking about most Americans. Most Americans don't know the Vice President's name. Most American couldn't find Iraq on a World Globe.
I'm not slamming my fellow Americans, I'm just stating the facts.

Trust me.

 

Sorry, should have clarified to say "most Americans with a brain in their heads."

 

Most people that wanted the new Mustang, got one already and those who were waiting for supply and dealer gouging to stop, just cooled off. Maybe some are wanting to see what the refreshed Mustang has to offer. I will be thinking about a Vert for myself in 09.

 

The weather has been a factor. So has the economy. Also remember that we just got finished with the holiday season. How many people are going to buy a new car after the holidays? Especially when there aren't any good incentives? $1000 off isn't anything special when the interest rates are so high. People want to see 0% or at least 1.9%. Then all these rumors about 09/10 Mustang, have people like me asking myself "should I just wait for the new and improved model"?

 

GTJOHN brings up a good point, interest rates of 6% are keeping customers from buying all vehicles, not only the Mustang.

Most likely there is not a single simple reason for the sliding Mustang sales. The drop is due to a combination of things such as the Mustang is no longer new. As I pointed out before historically Mustang sales start sliding in the 3rd year after a new Mustang model has been introduced. Add on top of that high interest rates, plunging values of trade ins and people who are waiting to see what the Camaro, Challenger and updated Mustang will be like are all combing to slow Mustang sales.

 

Precisely. Also, Alan Greenspan was recently in China and stated that he believed the US economy was headed for a recession towards the end of this year. The housing market Stateside is deflated in many regions, too. Consumer purchasing is down across the board right now, as middle-class confidence in the economy diminishes.

I don't think this is a Mustang-centric problem.

 

Would that include or exclude the sales' managers of the Ford dealers?