top FORD SALES analyst says that new MUSTANG
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Cobra Member
Joined: November 13, 2004
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From: jersey
top FORD SALES analyst says that new MUSTANG
may come sooner than later . sales and down 19% jan &feb compared to last year same time.. he says need to keep the mustang fresh.... i read this article today. go to yahoo finance and in quote section type the symbol "F".. go to news and you will see
Dethroned Nascar Guru
Joined: January 30, 2004
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Good Find 
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070305/ford_mustang.html?.v=1
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070305/ford_mustang.html?.v=1
AP
Mustang Looking Like Old Gray Mare
Monday March 5, 5:48 pm ET
By Tom Krisher, AP Business Writer
Sales Slide for Mustang; Ford Hopes for Second Wind From Icon
DETROIT (AP) -- The latest version of Ford's iconic Mustang is appears to be growing old, and back-to-back monthly sales declines to start 2007 have the struggling company a little worried.
The new Mustang, which made its debut in the fall of 2004, has been a bright spot for Ford at a time when bright spots have been few.
So when Mustang sales dropped by 19 percent in January and February compared with the same months in 2006, company officials became a little concerned.
"It's gotten our attention because when a high volume product like that declines as much as that, we want to see what we might want to do," said George Pipas, Ford Motor Co.'s top sales analyst.
A drop in Mustang sales should be a worry for Ford. Overall U.S. sales slipped 8 percent last year. The company sold 160,975 Mustangs in 2005 and 166,530 in 2006, big numbers in the midsize sports coupe market, a segment considered to be a niche.
"It did phenomenally well for a while, due in part to (it being) really the only car in the segment," said David Lucas, vice president of Autodata Corp. "It was exciting. It appealed both to young people and the people who remember what the Mustang used to be."
Pipas said even Ford was surprised at the car's staying power when sales continued to grow last year, though it is during the second year full year when sales usually begin to decline for most models.
It could be too soon, however, to write of Ford's Mustang, Pipas said.
"Two months is hardly a litmus test for the entire year, particularly when the two months aren't big sales months for anything, let alone two-door sports coupes," he said.
Still, Ford is working to keep the Mustang fresh with new variations that keep the car exciting, as well gearing up new promotions heading into the spring and summer, traditionally the Mustang's best sales months, said spokesman Alan Hall.
The company just began shipping new versions of a Shelby GT Mustang, and sometime next year, it plans a dark-green "Bullitt" version reminiscent of the 1968 Fastback Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in the classic movie.
"We have other things up our sleeve that we can't talk about that you'll see midyear," said Hall.
Cars with sportier body styles like the Mustang traditionally have shorter life cycles than more conventional cars, said Tom Libby, J.D. Power and Associates' senior director of industry analysis. The Mustang, because of its name and status, has defied that at times, Libby said.
Still, Ford must do everything it can to protect the Mustang's turf, he said.
"That model is a core model for them," he said. "They can't let this one fall off its perch."
The company's other remaining icon, the F-series pickup truck, also has seen its sales drop and is facing heavy competition from General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp.
Competition for the Mustang is only going to get worse when Dodge resurrects the Challenger muscle car in 2008 and Chevrolet comes out with the new Camaro early in 2009.
"When you've got the Mustang and the Camaro and the Challenger going head-to-head, the winner is the consumer because it's going to put a lot of downward pressure on prices," Libby said.
There's also pressure on Ford to roll out a new model faster to compete with Chevrolet and Dodge, something all automakers are under pressure to do with intense competition in just about every market.
"They can't let it languish so it's in the doldrums when the Camaro comes out," said Libby. "They have to keep it at the forefront."
Ford won't say when a new Mustang will hit showrooms, but Pipas said he wouldn't be surprised to see it sooner than later.
"There will be another Mustang before too long," he said. "This is a product where you like to redesign the product and give these loyal buyers something to look at every four years or so, give or take."
Mustang Looking Like Old Gray Mare
Monday March 5, 5:48 pm ET
By Tom Krisher, AP Business Writer
Sales Slide for Mustang; Ford Hopes for Second Wind From Icon
DETROIT (AP) -- The latest version of Ford's iconic Mustang is appears to be growing old, and back-to-back monthly sales declines to start 2007 have the struggling company a little worried.
The new Mustang, which made its debut in the fall of 2004, has been a bright spot for Ford at a time when bright spots have been few.
So when Mustang sales dropped by 19 percent in January and February compared with the same months in 2006, company officials became a little concerned.
"It's gotten our attention because when a high volume product like that declines as much as that, we want to see what we might want to do," said George Pipas, Ford Motor Co.'s top sales analyst.
A drop in Mustang sales should be a worry for Ford. Overall U.S. sales slipped 8 percent last year. The company sold 160,975 Mustangs in 2005 and 166,530 in 2006, big numbers in the midsize sports coupe market, a segment considered to be a niche.
"It did phenomenally well for a while, due in part to (it being) really the only car in the segment," said David Lucas, vice president of Autodata Corp. "It was exciting. It appealed both to young people and the people who remember what the Mustang used to be."
Pipas said even Ford was surprised at the car's staying power when sales continued to grow last year, though it is during the second year full year when sales usually begin to decline for most models.
It could be too soon, however, to write of Ford's Mustang, Pipas said.
"Two months is hardly a litmus test for the entire year, particularly when the two months aren't big sales months for anything, let alone two-door sports coupes," he said.
Still, Ford is working to keep the Mustang fresh with new variations that keep the car exciting, as well gearing up new promotions heading into the spring and summer, traditionally the Mustang's best sales months, said spokesman Alan Hall.
The company just began shipping new versions of a Shelby GT Mustang, and sometime next year, it plans a dark-green "Bullitt" version reminiscent of the 1968 Fastback Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in the classic movie.
"We have other things up our sleeve that we can't talk about that you'll see midyear," said Hall.
Cars with sportier body styles like the Mustang traditionally have shorter life cycles than more conventional cars, said Tom Libby, J.D. Power and Associates' senior director of industry analysis. The Mustang, because of its name and status, has defied that at times, Libby said.
Still, Ford must do everything it can to protect the Mustang's turf, he said.
"That model is a core model for them," he said. "They can't let this one fall off its perch."
The company's other remaining icon, the F-series pickup truck, also has seen its sales drop and is facing heavy competition from General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp.
Competition for the Mustang is only going to get worse when Dodge resurrects the Challenger muscle car in 2008 and Chevrolet comes out with the new Camaro early in 2009.
"When you've got the Mustang and the Camaro and the Challenger going head-to-head, the winner is the consumer because it's going to put a lot of downward pressure on prices," Libby said.
There's also pressure on Ford to roll out a new model faster to compete with Chevrolet and Dodge, something all automakers are under pressure to do with intense competition in just about every market.
"They can't let it languish so it's in the doldrums when the Camaro comes out," said Libby. "They have to keep it at the forefront."
Ford won't say when a new Mustang will hit showrooms, but Pipas said he wouldn't be surprised to see it sooner than later.
"There will be another Mustang before too long," he said. "This is a product where you like to redesign the product and give these loyal buyers something to look at every four years or so, give or take."
V6 Member
Joined: May 20, 2006
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FORD better do something
S197 Mustangs are now very common, GT500 and Shelby GT's are rich man toys because the #@#@! dealers would gouge a loyal long term customer in a heartbeat. I will be axiously watching March sales figures, if they stay down we will see some changes in the S197 platform.
Cobra Member
Joined: May 16, 2006
Posts: 1,322
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From: NV
I think this sums it all up right here:
Good Find
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070305/ford_mustang.html?.v=1
It could be too soon, however, to write of Ford's Mustang, Pipas said.
"Two months is hardly a litmus test for the entire year, particularly when the two months aren't big sales months for anything, let alone two-door sports coupes," he said.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070305/ford_mustang.html?.v=1
It could be too soon, however, to write of Ford's Mustang, Pipas said.
"Two months is hardly a litmus test for the entire year, particularly when the two months aren't big sales months for anything, let alone two-door sports coupes," he said.
Dethroned Nascar Guru
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V6 Member
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Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: December 1, 2004
Posts: 2,098
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From: Waddington, NY (waaaay up north)
Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: March 11, 2004
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 1
Sort of what I said on the other thread, the Mustang is already getting stale. Look at the import brands and they have significant improvements every 3 years, 4 at the worst. The days of being able to skate by with not updating the Mustang for 5 or 6 years has long passed.
While the GT still has great appeal to gearheads, the V6 model is hurting. For customers who are not car nuts, the V6 falls short of its competition inrefinement, creature comforts and as F150ATM pointed out, build quality.
Dealers are another problem. When I was at a local Ford dealer looking at the Edge, I took a glance at a Mustang GT on the showroom floor. The salesman starts telling me how rare Mustang GTs are and that they will only sell them at sticker price. Hmm Ford has $1K rebates on them and the dealer is pretending they sell for sticker. I wonder how many lost Mustang sales there have been because of dealers like that one.
While the GT still has great appeal to gearheads, the V6 model is hurting. For customers who are not car nuts, the V6 falls short of its competition inrefinement, creature comforts and as F150ATM pointed out, build quality.
Dealers are another problem. When I was at a local Ford dealer looking at the Edge, I took a glance at a Mustang GT on the showroom floor. The salesman starts telling me how rare Mustang GTs are and that they will only sell them at sticker price. Hmm Ford has $1K rebates on them and the dealer is pretending they sell for sticker. I wonder how many lost Mustang sales there have been because of dealers like that one.
Closet American
Joined: July 17, 2005
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC (Hollywood North)
Whoa, hold on there a second. Before everybody gets their panties in a bunch, who said the Mustang is getting stale?
Who...?
Show me another car that competes with it. Right now. Not two years from now. I think everybody is putting the cart before the horse (no pun intended) here. We all know that Ford is currently working on a Mustang that will be improved and that it will be here in about two-and-a-half years; right on the heels of the Camaro.
Forget about the Challenger. That car will merely be an expensive niche toy for Chrysler, a company that might not even be around by the time the next Mustang arrives.
Sure, the Mustang shows evidence of cost-cutting, particularly inside - we all know this. But really, it's not THAT bad, and it's certainly a quantum leap above the previous generation, or it wouldn't have already sold in the numbers it has. And as others have said, January and February are bad months for ALL retail sales. Let's see how the Mustang does when spring and summer arrive before sounding the alarm bells.
Who...?
Show me another car that competes with it. Right now. Not two years from now. I think everybody is putting the cart before the horse (no pun intended) here. We all know that Ford is currently working on a Mustang that will be improved and that it will be here in about two-and-a-half years; right on the heels of the Camaro.
Forget about the Challenger. That car will merely be an expensive niche toy for Chrysler, a company that might not even be around by the time the next Mustang arrives.
Sure, the Mustang shows evidence of cost-cutting, particularly inside - we all know this. But really, it's not THAT bad, and it's certainly a quantum leap above the previous generation, or it wouldn't have already sold in the numbers it has. And as others have said, January and February are bad months for ALL retail sales. Let's see how the Mustang does when spring and summer arrive before sounding the alarm bells.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 5, 2006
Posts: 870
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Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
While the GT still has great appeal to gearheads, the V6 model is hurting. For customers who are not car nuts, the V6 falls short of its competition inrefinement, creature comforts and as F150ATM pointed out, build quality.
@Hollywood_North GT great post, at least someone gets it.....
Mach 1 Member
Joined: December 7, 2006
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
hmmm...maybe the v8 is what takes it beyond the looks?
this ain't a luxury car. it's an american muscle car.
it hurts hearing all this negative stuff. i love my stang.
V6 Member
Joined: September 7, 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Team Mustang Source
Joined: October 13, 2004
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 0
From: MD
I'm not too worried about a sales decline. It pretty much happens over the life of a lot of cars. Each year Ford has added more options to the car in order to attract new buyers. There will be a few more SE models before the S197's run is over. The car still sells very well. What Ford really needs to do is focus on the V6 and add features to that in order to move if off of lots.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 5, 2006
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
He's not making that stuff up. We just like the car enough to overlook those things. I do have to question people paying $65k for GT500's. You're still getting Ford build quality with just a different motor/trans.(for the most part) You're getting pretty close to a Z06 for that kind of money. What are those GT500's going to be worth when the next generation super Mustang trumps it?
I can bet you there is no car out there that is $19K to $26k with the power, style, heritage, class, and all the other intangables that go along with these out there right now. How about $30K with a conv that has 210-300HP can anyone else say this? Hard to do.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: December 7, 2006
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
WOW
so clean
i love it
I think sales are down because these months are slow. and i don't know...maybe the economy is different now. inflation? raise in minimum wage? who knows.
but either way. if i had to do it again. i'd buy my stang in a heartbeat.
i hope after all this, ford comes back stronger than ever
so clean
i love it I think sales are down because these months are slow. and i don't know...maybe the economy is different now. inflation? raise in minimum wage? who knows.
but either way. if i had to do it again. i'd buy my stang in a heartbeat.
i hope after all this, ford comes back stronger than ever
Mach 1 Member
Joined: October 17, 2004
Posts: 713
Likes: 32
From: Phoenix, AZ.
Perhaps sales are down because great looks can only take you so far.
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike
Sooner or later Johnny Public gets word about poor engineering (come on Ford, can't you get seats to return to their previous positions, if I wanted the HVAC to spray to the foot and defrost instead of foot only I would have selected that, a hood prop?, no MP3s in base "premium" stereo, no rear floor mats, no power trunk release, vinyl seats! - unheated yet) or how about shoddy build quiality (bumpers that are over 1/4" off, door handles that don't close, leaks, seats that look like they were sewn together by Hellen Keller).
Yeah, they'll need somethng new to pick up sales (other than lowering prices and zero interest - you can only do that for so long). Too bad, because the current car looks awesome, but just doesn't live up to the looks. If you think sales are low now, if it's priced in the Mustang's range, wait until the Charger comes out. It could get ugly.
Mike