all-electric ford mustang mach-e projected to outsell iconic v8s

Ford’s glitzy introduction of a redesigned Mustang sports car powered by fossil fuels runs counter to the industry narrative of ditching gas-burning cars to make way for electrified models.

Ford is betting there’s enough life left in the 58-year-old Mustang to help pay for the company’s electric-powered future, in which Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley is investing $50 billion (R883 billion)to build 2 million EVs annually by 2026.

With the Mustang, Ford is also offering a plug-in version, the Mach-E, which has seen sales soar 49% this year.

Even so, gas-fueled Mustangs still outsell those powered by electrons. That helps explain why Ford invested in a new version to give the low-slung deuce coupe what it calls “sexy and edgy” styling and its most powerful V-8 engine ever.

“We definitely see a marketplace there and that’s why we’ve invested in this product,” Kumar Galhotra, president of the newly created Ford Blue unit that focuses on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, said in an interview.

“The entire Ford Blue portfolio is the profit engine and will continue to fund future needs for the company.”

Despite the splashy introduction of the seventh-generation Mustang along the banks of the Detroit River at the North American International Auto Show Wednesday, sales of the classic Mustang this year are expected to be less than half what they were six years ago.

By 2027, it will be outsold by the Mach-E, according to a forecast from researcher LMC Automotive.

all-electric ford mustang mach-e projected to outsell iconic v8s

Analysts see this as the beginning of the end for the storied car with a roaring engine under the hood. Ford is already preparing for the day when it puts the old warhorse out to pasture to make way for plug-in ponies.

“People have asked me if this will be your last internal combustion Mustang? And the answer is, ‘we’ll see,’” Bill Ford, the company’s executive chair and great-grandson of the founder, told reporters at the car’s introduction.

“The customers will let us know when that day will come. Personally, that day will come with a tear in my eye.”

Farley has said he expects more than half of Ford’s overall sales worldwide to be electric vehicles by 2030.

“Ford is walking a tightrope,” Jeff Schuster, LMC’s president of the Americas said in an interview.

“They’ve got a competitive and successful Mach-E and that allows them to slow the transition of the regular Mustang to an electrified version. And they can get some near-term benefit from that.”

That’s because by mid-decade, it appears Ford will have the gas-fired muscle car market to itself. Stellantis, maker of the Dodge Charger and Challenger, announced last month it is doing away with its gas-fueled hot rods at the end of next year to make way for electric muscle cars.

And General Motors has no plans to build its Chevrolet Camaro past 2025 as it switches to an electric lineup.

“We would expect a certain number of those customers, the ones who truly want that type of a product, to consider Mustang,” Galhotra said of current buyers of the Charger, Challenger and Camaro.

all-electric ford mustang mach-e projected to outsell iconic v8s

While muscle cars only accounted for 1.4% of the US market last year – down from 2.1% in 2015 – they remain a lucrative proposition, selling primarily to wealthy Baby Boomers willing to spend big to feel the rumble of an open throttle.

With this Mustang, they can get that feeling before they even get behind the wheel: Its key fob features a button that will rev the engine as they approach the car.

Ford has also carried over the Mustang’s most expensive components — its two engine options and its mechanical platform — from the previous version.

The automaker’s engineers enhanced, but did not replace, the 2.3-liter 4 cylinder and 5.0-liter V8 engines that have powered the Mustang for years. Ford said the V8 has been souped up to generate more power than ever.

It also introduced a new line of Mustangs it dubbed “Dark Horse” that features a 500-horsepower (372kW) V8 and can be equipped as a track-ready race car. Bill Ford announced the company will race that car at the 24 hours of Le Mans, the race it won in 1966 that was featured in the 2019 film “Ford v. Ferrari.”

Most of the Mustang’s exterior sheet metal is new, with the exception of its roof and door openings, giving the car a more athletic look. But it’s built on the same chassis that underpins the car’s previous generation.

“Why would we continue to make drastic changes when we can take this existing platform and really further refine it?” said Eddie Khan, the new Mustang’s chief engineer.

all-electric ford mustang mach-e projected to outsell iconic v8s

Boosting Margins

The frugal approach to redesigning the Mustang is emblematic of how Ford will selectively invest in gas-burners to help Farley realize his goal of transforming the company’s top-selling combustion engine models, such as the F-150 pickup and Bronco sport-utility vehicle, into the “profit and cash engine” of the company.

“We were very thoughtful about where we invest” on the Mustang, Galhotra said. “The investment had to be where the customers are going to appreciate it the most.”

Farley has pledged to boost margins throughout Ford’s lineup in part by cutting $3 billion (R53 billion) in costs from its combustion engine side of the business. It cut 3,000 employees earlier this month, primarily from its Ford Blue unit, and may cut thousands more.

In a move that may offend traditionalists, Ford deleted the double brow dashboard design that’s been on the car since the beginning.

Instead, it installed an expansive, curved touchscreen that flows from behind the steering wheel to the middle of the dashboard and oriented it toward the driver. It also eliminated every knob except the volume dial to appeal to those used to swiping and pinching on their smartphones.

“We’re trying to bring in a new set of customers, from the later millennials to the Gen Z folks,” said Jim Owens, the Mustang’s brand manager, who identified himself as a Baby Boomer.

“Our generation is getting older and maybe not buying as many cars as they once used to.”

Keyword: All-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E projected to outsell iconic V8s

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

There are multiple drive modes, and each one tweaks the dampers for different purpose.

View more: Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Junior Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Thursday 21st September 2023. Suzuka, Japan. Jak Crawford will move to DAMS for the 2024 Formula 2 season while Red Bull juniors Isack Hadjar and Pepe Marti will compete for Campos. Crawford finished ...

View more: Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Photo: Ford By definition, a big truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado struggles to be small. Even in its smallest, most trucky configuration — a two-door single cab — a full-size truck is relatively large and comes with a sizable bed for hauling cargo. But a small ...

View more: Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

After asking its dealers to join it “on an epic journey of sustainable expansion,” Ford revealed over two-thirds of its dealers joined almost a year ago. However, close to 400 dealers have dropped out of the program since then. Ford asked its dealership network to become a part of ...

View more: Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Image: GreenOak (Shutterstock) A cruise that was set to sail around the world for three years has been abruptly canceled at the last minute. The reason? The company behind the cruise couldn’t afford to buy a ship in time, as CNN reports. Life at Sea Cruises, a division of ...

View more: Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

24 May 2023, Saxony, Zwickau: A model of the new-generation ID.3 is assembled at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau. Following the start of production in 2019, the vehicle has now received a facelift as part of the model mint. Image: Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance (Getty Images) After Chinese automaker BYD dethroned ...

View more: Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

There's heavy damage on the rear of the car, but the 5.0-liter V8 is listed as still running.

View more: This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

This auction is a realistic way to have a street-legal rally icon parked in your driveway.

View more: Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

At $27,500, Is This 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty A Super Big Deal?

Can you tow with a Ford Everest Wildtrak?

1962 Ford Falcon | Old Car

Ford patents inflatable bumpers for its large SUVs & pickups

Ford Figo: Weird noise when the ignition is on worries me

Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan Live Again In 1995 Detroit Auto Show Retro Video

Next-gen Ford Mustang – The competitors at R1.5 million

At $9,000, Would This 1976 Ford Granada Ghia Put You Back In Black?

2.0L Bi-Turbo or 3.0L V6 – The most popular engine for the Ford Ranger Wildtrak in South Africa

Ford Mustang GT3 Looks Fast, Sounds Like Thunder In Track Test Video

Road-Trip Review: 2023 Ford Everest 3.0 V6 4WD Platinum

Here’s How An Affordable Chinese-Made EV Holds Up After 100,000 Miles

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel