Mustang Makeover: What Does Ford Have In Mind?
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Mustang Makeover: What Does Ford Have In Mind?
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/20...-have-in-mind/
The new Mustang is due as a 2014 model, and will look somewhat like an Aston Martin, the high-price sports car often featured in James Bond movies. People who have seen the new Mustang said it is almost a body double for the Evos concept car that Ford showed at the Frankfurt auto show last fall.
A Ford spokesman said he couldn’t comment on Ford’s product plans for the Mustang.
Changing the Mustang’s look is a risky move for Ford because the car has such a big following, said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with researcher IHS Automotive Inc. “Ford has had so much success with [the retro Mustang], there is significant risk of going somewhat away from it,” she said. “You have to evolve the design, but it is a risk to change it too fast or radically.”
Baby boomers are still an important demographic. They drove booms in minivans, sport-utility vehicles and luxury cars in addition to retro models. But with the oldest boomers now retired, that generation is near the end of its run as hard-charging car consumers.
The average Mustang buyer today is 51 years old, Mr. Edwards said. They fall into the category of “near-luxury” consumers in terms of spending habits and tend to include more men than women. They like power and performance, he said.
Lee Stewart a 45-year-old accountant from Bristow, Va., just ordered a 2013 Mustang GT convertible, and loves the current, 1960s look. The Evos concept car, he added, is “a beautiful automobile, but it isn’t a Mustang.”
A Ford spokesman said he couldn’t comment on Ford’s product plans for the Mustang.
Changing the Mustang’s look is a risky move for Ford because the car has such a big following, said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with researcher IHS Automotive Inc. “Ford has had so much success with [the retro Mustang], there is significant risk of going somewhat away from it,” she said. “You have to evolve the design, but it is a risk to change it too fast or radically.”
Baby boomers are still an important demographic. They drove booms in minivans, sport-utility vehicles and luxury cars in addition to retro models. But with the oldest boomers now retired, that generation is near the end of its run as hard-charging car consumers.
The average Mustang buyer today is 51 years old, Mr. Edwards said. They fall into the category of “near-luxury” consumers in terms of spending habits and tend to include more men than women. They like power and performance, he said.
Lee Stewart a 45-year-old accountant from Bristow, Va., just ordered a 2013 Mustang GT convertible, and loves the current, 1960s look. The Evos concept car, he added, is “a beautiful automobile, but it isn’t a Mustang.”
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From: Indianapolis
http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...304169901/1439
Hope this link helps...they claim more of a Fusion Look for generation "Y" car buyers.
Hope this link helps...they claim more of a Fusion Look for generation "Y" car buyers.
People who have seen the new Mustang said it is almost a body double for the Evos concept car that Ford showed at the Frankfurt auto show last fall.
I think such a design would strike a great balance between traditional Mustang design DNA to appeal to the (aging) current fans yet be fully modern enough to draw in the fresh blood/buyers necessary to keep the Mustang viable well into the future and not some nostalgia piece for baby boomers reminiscent of some by-gone golden years.
It's a trick balance, to be sure, but if it does come off as a well executed Evos-inspired design, I am very optimistic.
I Have No Life
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From: Canada
I can see them making a big sway away from the current retro-ness of the car.
Its had the same profile and rough look for a while.
From a couple dealers I've talked to, they do find that sales are down on the Mustang, and the younger gen. isn't buying them. They are going for the other coupes on the market.
It'll be interesting to see where its going to go, and just like every gen, I'm sure people will love it, some will hate it, and some people will be 'meh...'
Its had the same profile and rough look for a while.
From a couple dealers I've talked to, they do find that sales are down on the Mustang, and the younger gen. isn't buying them. They are going for the other coupes on the market.
It'll be interesting to see where its going to go, and just like every gen, I'm sure people will love it, some will hate it, and some people will be 'meh...'
Mach 1 Member
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From: Socal
Looks like an Aston Martin but with a 5.0 and starting around $30k? Sold! Combine this with a 300lb rumored weight reduction and this thing will sell like crazy.
The statistic that the Mustang now sells less than 50% of what it did in 2006 is pretty startling.
The statistic that the Mustang now sells less than 50% of what it did in 2006 is pretty startling.
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From: Bristol, TN
Coupes have a short lifespan when it comes to the image conscious, combine that with a down economy, an ever inflating pricetag, increased competition and you can see why the Mustang has lost traction.
IMO, the next car will probably bump the sales numbers (most likely giving Mustang back its sales crown), but the huge numbers everbody saw when the S-197 was fresh are gone unless you get a perfect confluence similar to what exsisted when the 05 model was introduced and then it would only be a matter of time before competition started nipping at Mustang's heels again.
IMO, the next car will probably bump the sales numbers (most likely giving Mustang back its sales crown), but the huge numbers everbody saw when the S-197 was fresh are gone unless you get a perfect confluence similar to what exsisted when the 05 model was introduced and then it would only be a matter of time before competition started nipping at Mustang's heels again.
Last edited by bob; Apr 16, 2012 at 08:51 AM.
Cobra Member
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From: North Carolina (currently deployed)
IT's been no mystery for the past year that they were going to go away from retro styling...I think that's one of the first comments they ever made on it...hopefully they won't get too European....
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Originally Posted by Topnotch
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From: Columbus
Originally Posted by Topnotch
I like yours better.
Mach 1 Member
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From: Socal
Article references the possible replacement of a Ecoboost V6 for the GT model. I thought it was pretty well confirmed the 5.0 will remain in the GT?
Last edited by jedikd; Apr 16, 2012 at 10:51 AM.
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From: England
No. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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From: England
Whilst I appreciate the Mustang may be losing market share, I wonder just how many Mustang buyers really cross-shopped before deciding on the Mustang.
Ford risks alienating the Mustang faithful if they water it down to become just another coupe with a few traditional Mustang styling cues. An Evos with tri-bar taillights and a c-scoop is still an Evos at heart.
I'm all for appealing to a younger audience in terms of tech...whether that be in terms of cockpit toys or state of the art suspension.....but the thing needs to look like a Mustang in order to appeal to me.
Perhaps Ford should treat the Mustang as it's halo car....or at least recognise that it already is its halo car.
DO NOT THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER, FORD!!!!
I'm now officially worried about what going to be launched in 730 days from now
Ford risks alienating the Mustang faithful if they water it down to become just another coupe with a few traditional Mustang styling cues. An Evos with tri-bar taillights and a c-scoop is still an Evos at heart.
I'm all for appealing to a younger audience in terms of tech...whether that be in terms of cockpit toys or state of the art suspension.....but the thing needs to look like a Mustang in order to appeal to me.
Perhaps Ford should treat the Mustang as it's halo car....or at least recognise that it already is its halo car.
DO NOT THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER, FORD!!!!
I'm now officially worried about what going to be launched in 730 days from now
GTR Member
Joined: October 18, 2006
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From: England
I know it's been said there would be no concept for the '15MY........but I really think it might be a good idea. Jeeze, if the rear end of the '10MY caused such an uproar, can you imagine the scene if Ford screws up the next Mustang completely?
V6 Member
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Well, LeftLane posted some info today and all my fears seem to be coming true.......it's a 2 door Fusion, Mustang II Probe. If your smart, you will buy now. And all of you cheering that there will be a Shelby must remember that the old man will put his name on anything that someone is willing to pay him money for. Remember the Dodge GLS?
Bullitt Member
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From: a racetrack somewhere
Mustangs, get your Mustangs! Get them now, tomorrow is another day.
I'll hold off opining about the next generation until I see some better spy photos. I think that we can (almost) all agree that Ford screwed the pooch with the 1974 Mustang II, but they certainly redeemed themselves with the Fox platform cars one generation later, and Ford hasn't really put a foot wrong with the Mustang in the over 30 years since. 'course lightning may strike twice, which would make our present vehicles all the more valuable to enthusiasts; just compare a '73 to a '74.
I'll hold off opining about the next generation until I see some better spy photos. I think that we can (almost) all agree that Ford screwed the pooch with the 1974 Mustang II, but they certainly redeemed themselves with the Fox platform cars one generation later, and Ford hasn't really put a foot wrong with the Mustang in the over 30 years since. 'course lightning may strike twice, which would make our present vehicles all the more valuable to enthusiasts; just compare a '73 to a '74.
