Well, I suppose Ford could make a concept version of the Mustang to show off on the auto show circuit. Gauge public reaction to a Mustang with no cruise control, no air conditioning, no console, a rubber shift boot, a bench seat from the Ranger, and so on. Call it the Econostang. Even if it were a few grand cheaper (and that's a big if due to economies of scale, as others have pointed out) I just don't picture that many takers.

 

I understand how it can cost more to produce a car by having several parts that perform the same function. However, there has to be some cost savings due to the deletion of parts. The rear spoiler and air conditioning units surely are something Ford has to pay for to a parts supplier.If those parts are not used, Ford would be saving money.
True, Ford would have to spend money to design and manufacture brackets to replace the brackets, etc used to support an air conditioner. However, they should offset those cost by attracting more buyers and thus selling more Mustangs.

 

There's no rationalizing with you Larry...

 

I think the V6 is very reasonably priced. I purchased mine for $ 22,500 otd. Of course I didn't get the performance package, nor the electronics package nor the sync system, nor the back up camera system but the base comes with nice standard equipment. Power windows and air condition including. People want there 10k in upgrades and that drives the price up.

 

I think he is making a point that bears discussion. The product planners no doubt go through analysis of what sells and what doesn't all the time.

Predicting the DEMAND for options is the key.

Larry, in the "good old days" of the Fox Mustang, that platform was a well-worn architecture that most likely was already nicely amortized by the time we started seeing the LX and GTs appear. I would conclude that the build variations by parts delete could probably be more tolerated at that time, given the price of entry and what was considered part of the base car.

The S197 Mustang has now been out since 2004, so the things buyers currently would value - electronic options, more powerful engines, luxury features - are being delivered. The base Mustang has those things that used to be options. The cost of building Mustang variations must be balanced out by what people want.

I again truly believe that anyone who would buy a $22,000 car would EXPECT A/C, a sound system, power windows and door locks. Leaving the parts off is most likely offset by the labor cost it would take build variants without those things. If not many people take these variants, then the economics would like point to a loss of profit.

Of course, I am armchairing here, but I do think DEMAND and MANUFACTURING EFFICIENCY are the factors to be considered.

 

The status quo has changed over the years. The public's expectations of what a car of this type should have have changed over the years as well. As technology and options become more readily available, they become expectations rather than desires.

Yes, 15-20 years ago, A/C, power seats, and CD players were desirable options. Now they're standard on nearly every car made for sale in the US. Couple this with the role of a car like the Mustang going from a bread & butter, large sales vehicle to a more market-specific, almost niche vehicle, and you have to start finding ways to keep costs low as a company, and in turn keep the costs down for the consumer as well. It costs money to tool a door panel for both crank windows and power, and make separate wiring harnesses and switchgear for each. On a car that sells 75,000 units a year, that just doesn't make sense. Removing A/C is the same way. You have to make changes to the engine to not accept an A/C pulley, plumbing for HVAC, and switchgear in the cabin. That adds up to a decent chunk per car.

People seem to be stuck back in the days when the Mustang was a very big seller and Ford could afford to try a variety of combinations and options on the car. Hell, look back at the era; there are a ton of different, unique car trims out there that would never fly today. These same people stuck back in the muscle car era don't fully understand the gravity and depth of the situation on how cars are built today. It's simply not the same.

 

Rather than "stuck", I'd say "fondly remember".

 

I always custom order my Mustangs. I ordered my 1971 Mach 1 429 SCJ without air conditioning and power steering. My 1985 LX was also ordered without air conditioning. I personally like to drive Mustangs that dont have all the dead weight on them. If I could have ordered my Mustangs without power brakes, I would have done that. Since I will not have the choice of eliminating options I dont want, I will most likey keep my early year Mustangs untill I can no longer drive.

 

I can tell you They are going to be lighter, some of the sheetmetal will be stamped from Alum, more then just the hood, , I work at a Ford Stamping facility. : )

 

I see what your saying, but for Ford to sell cars, theres a very few people in your position , so cost wise it isnt smart for them to offer strip cars.
I had a 1984 SVO, most of them came stock with , Leather, Electric window, air conditioning, etc etc, Mine was a stripped down model, very rare, It had no AC,No Power Windows, Cloth seats, It didnt even have vents in the front of Dash.

 

As long as they don't have some of the issues I've seen on Ranger and Mustang hoods, that sounds like a good thing. Wonder what the repair costs and requirements will be on those parts though?

 

I am all for lighter body panels and components. I have never worried about replacement cost of body panels, never needed to replace sheetmetal. Less weight means better fuel mileage and increased performance. WIN=WIN !

 

Hey Larry, you are tilting at wind mills. Times are a changing and all companies most change or go out of business. Wonder where I could buy a buggy whip...hmmm.

 

Are you talking about the Mustang specifically, or just of new/upcoming Ford vehicles as of late? I find that odd since the design and major parts haven't even been finalized yet.

 

Mustang and F-150, They might not be finalized but where some of the panels will be produced are getting things in order, Stamping Alum involves quite a bit of money to convert Conveyors and presses etc etc.

 

You must be an old fart like me.

I do wish you could order options instead of these package deals. I hate to pay for something I dont want but that is todays reality in the market. I remember quite a few fox bodies ordered with AC delete checked off.

Sadly, those days are long gone I think but perhaps Ford could do a better job at giving the customer more choices instead of lumping everything together. Probably not going to happen but I can always wish.

When the order guides come out for the 13 watch the moaning begin. You mean I have to pay for x to get Y? what the blank? It happens every year.

 

Another statement from this part supplier.

In reference to this Pic:

 

Seasoned


Customer expectations are a challenge to manage

 

So I didn't catch any clue about the size of the Mustang. Do we think it's going to be roughly the same size as the New Edge's?

 

Nobody has said yet, and it all depends on what engines will be offered. If the 5.8 stays as the mac daddy engine then you've got to visually balance the width of the car (remeber the trinity - god I love that name - 5.8 is roughly 30 inches wide) with the length and height.

I dont know if the 2013 Mustang will be the last time we see a tall deck mod motor in a Mustang, but it seems as if the 5.8 will have a good run based on an article as it indicated Ford wanted to offer something a bit more exclusive than just poting over a 5.0 and stuffing forged guts in it.