I think so.

In fact, the number for the UK was set to a maximum of 200 units a year. This was due to the fact any more would have required full type approval. As it is, those 200 just require an IVA (Individual Type Approval) test, same as any personal import

 

The big "problem" for Chevy in the Europe is the name. For a long time European "Chevy" was nothing more than the re-badged Daewoo, meaning they were cheap, ugly and unreliable. And now all of the sudden, Chevy is expecting that people will pay 36,000 euros for a car with a Chevy badge on it. For the same amount, people in Europe will most likely buy a Focus RS or Golf R, which are much smaller (and easier to drive on European roads) and about 5-10 times cheaper to register and insure per year.
They have changed since GM took over of Daewoo (or GM Korea these days), as well as working more closely with Opel for global models.

 

If you had your way, you'd sell it with a 1.0L 3 cylinder, manual windows, no AC, and for a starting price under $10,000.

The Mustang name and V8 are synonymous with each other; Ford knows this, and more than likely will slot the car as a premium vehicle, not part of the main lineup, but as a halo car. The V8 will be there. I don't see people lining up for a 4 cylinder or V6 car in Europe.

 

Now, add .6L and 1 cylinder, and you're talking about my first Capri

 

If I had it my way, I wouldn't even sell Mustang in Europe, it's not worth the effort.

I don't see people lining up for a Mustang in Europe PERIOD.

I've been a member of Ford Club of Serbia for many years and let me tell you something - nobody is impressed with Mustang that much and 95% of the people there would rather spend 36,000 euros on the Focus RS or Golf R than on the Mustang (or Camaro or any other muscle car).

 

We're talking about the 2015 Mustang here -- not the current model -- so anything's possible by the time the all-new car is released. I'm confident Ford's done a considerable amount of homework in various overseas markets, and must deem the inherent risk of selling the Mustang there worth it.

 

I don't see huge sales in Europe either, but some of that is dependent on how fuel efficient its engines will be. Gas is just so expensive in Europe.

 

Gas is just one of the problems. Annual registration is another. EcoBoost 2.0L can probably make the similar power as N/A 3.7L; yet, there is over $2,000 difference in annual registration ($350 for a 2.0L, $2,400 for a 3.7L).

 

Posted this in the Article section before seeing this thread.


http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-pl...#axzz2DSJhZ7sl

 

Having lived In Europe and Asia for many years, while in the military, I believe there will be an interest in the Mustang. While in Germany, my Silver over Black 5.0 Cobra circa 1979 with the TRX package was a hit no matter where we went. People loved it, everyone wanted to look under the hood. I had never seen a bigger group of car fanatics, outside of Italy! However, with that said, the price of fuel, and various taxes, to include a very high VAT on the initial sale may put a damper on the V8 and big V6 models. I am not sure about now, but back then, anything over 3L was heavily taxed, annually.

Ref Turn3's post above. The article is talking about a sub-Mustang based on Euro Ford chassis. The article goes on to say:

"While the next-generation Ford Mustang will be available for sale in Europe, high gas prices may still keep the large rear-drive coupe a low-volume product."

 

Hmmm, I've read this a few times now. Are Ford of Europe getting cold feet already? I don't know what the sales projections were, but I can only see the Mustang being a niche product over here. It'll be competing with the likes of the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series which are the default "premium" coupes....and the majority of those are sold with diesel engines. Plus, badge snobs (certainly in the UK) would never consider driving a Ford.

That's no biggie for us Mustang fans. We'd still happily import them, just like we do now.

My only concern is that S550 is being designed to meet the Euro-pedestrian regulations. I just hope that doesn't compromise the design too much

A bigger market would be a Scirroco sized FWD coupe......exactly the car that seems to have been put on hold, for now at least. Base this off the Focus or even the Fiesta (the Puma was a solid seller for Ford) and I reckon they'd sell loads. And that car would, in my opinion, go down better in the US than the Mustang will in Europe.

 

We agreed on that last part earlier. However, I don't think Fords are looked down upon as much in the UK...right? Ford has a pretty loyal following in the UK, which is why your Ford all have much more premium options than ours. Wouldn't a typical Ford buyer are the Mustang as a halo car that he/she can move up into, instead of going to a German brand? Seems like a natural progression, but then again I don't live in the UK and I've never been there, so I can't really comment on their tastes...

 

Sadly no longer the case.

I'm probably the last generation (I'm 41) who have a bit of Ford Blue blood running through their veins.

My dad had a progression of Ford cars supplied by his company, so from the age of 3 I clearly remember dad getting a new Ford every 3 years, starting with a Mk3 Cortina, then a Mk4, Mk5, Sierra Mk2, Mk3 etc.

That meant my mum had a Ford (Fiesta) as did my sister. I inherited that car before starting a progression of my own Fords, leading up to a number of Capris.

During this time, Ford had a great reputation in motorsport that filtered down into the showroom (Mexico Escorts, the RS brand, Cosworth etc).

Fords were definately seen as company "rep" cars. That was a good reputation during the 60s, 70s and 80s, but in the 90s, people aspired to own premium brands and, for about the last 8 years or so, the BMW 3-series now outsells the Mondeo. The Passat is also a big seller.

In the "good old days", the man in the street bought a Ford or a Vauxhall. If he was doing well, he bought a Rover. If he was doing very well, a Jaguar. Japanese cars just didn't register untill the late 70s.

Now, Ford has competition from countries that didn't even make cars back in the 60s!

There's still plenty of love for "classic" Fords today and you'll find that's directed towards the RWD cars.

It's one of the reasons I love my S197. It actually reminds me of those Fords from the 60s and 70s and has a similar character to my old Capris.

Unfortunately, that love is lost on recent generations

 

I really don't think it will.
The people who love the Mustang regardless of geographic location, love the mustang for what it is..not what they think their location could do for its design.

The only thing I think it will change is that certain features would be compliant from the beginning of design. I wouldn't worry.

If they have decided to evaluate the whole 'euro-bound' thing, at least from the get go they wouldn't have to do much.
If they sit back and watch how the car reacts to those overseas first, then they can decide if its worth it. I honsetly didn't think they were going to sell it there the first year anyway.
1) for the local demand for the first year cars and 2) to gauge reaction.

 

one of those sound clips sounded like the 3V 4.6L V8 to me. perhaps maybe from one of Fords ad's from the commercials for the original S197?

 

I believe the reason for it is because Ford has no premium brand in Europe ever since they sold off Jaguar. In the USA Ford can't afford to go more premium because it would bump into Lincoln's territory.

 

I hear that, but even VW has more premium options in Europe, versus out dumbed/numbed down versions of the cars we get here.

 

True, but Volkswagen is not the base cheaper company in Europe like it is in the USA.

In Europe, VW group has two car companies positioned below Volkswagen.

They are Skoda and Seat.

 

Again true, but even those cars have premium options haha - such as the full LED headlights!

 

That's premium?

I dunno, until this year Ford Europe didn't even had Sync available.