RE: Mustang factory temporarily closed
Wednesday 12th October 2016
With the Ford Mustang now available in right-hand drive (just in case you hadn't heard), the reasonable assumption would be that supply would struggle to keep up with the queue of customers wanting to buy one. However, despite strong initial popularity in Europe, Ford has shut the Flat Rock factory for a week "to match production capacity with demand".
Have you seen many?The facility was shut down yesterday, with its reopening scheduled for October 17. It follows a 32 per cent decline in sales of the Mustang in America last month, where it was in fact outsold by the Camaro for the first time in nearly two years. This was no doubt helped by additional discounts on the Chevy at the moment (as it's about to be replaced), but that's still a big drop.
Mustang factory temporarily closed
Flat Rock shut down as sales decline
Have you seen many?
It's said to be indicative of a general slowdown in the American car market rather than an issue specific to Ford. That being said, Ford is said to have an 89-day supply of Mustangs (where 60 would be a typical figure), implying that demand has been slowing for a while. For this year to date, US Mustang sales figures are down 9.3 per cent, at 87,258.
It's unknown yet how this will affect UK Mustangs but, with so many already said to be in supply, getting hold of one shouldn't be an issue. There may well be delays for cars with a unique spec though. It will be interesting as well to monitor Mustang success in the UK; with the aficionados having secured one immediately, how many more prospective Mustang buyers are there? Over to you...
[Sources: Autocar, AutoNewsEurope]
Discussion
The Mustang was always going to be a niche seller in the UK (if not the US).
Its not a surprise for global sales to be taking a dip - once the initial launch euphoria has subsided.
Maybe they need to revive interest and launch a diesel Mustang for the UK?
Tin hat on and waiting for the flack!
Its not a surprise for global sales to be taking a dip - once the initial launch euphoria has subsided.
Maybe they need to revive interest and launch a diesel Mustang for the UK?
Tin hat on and waiting for the flack!
E65Ross said:
keith2.2 said:
I'm sure I read somewhere that more rhd mustangs have been sold in the U.K. than Mk3 TTs?
No, you read more Mustangs had been sold than Audi TT-RS models.....definitely not the same thing.I've seen a few of these Mustangs around and think they're alright to be honest.
E65Ross said:
No, you read more Mustangs had been sold than Audi TT-RS models.....definitely not the same thing.
I've seen a few of these Mustangs around and think they're alright to be honest.
Double no - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...I've seen a few of these Mustangs around and think they're alright to be honest.
It's TT-S (the new RS isn't on the streets yet)
996TT02 said:
When 9 out of 10 Mustangs on the road seem to be 2.3 turbo rental cars, not much good can be done to its image.
Who wants to buy a "rental car"? Selling the 2.3 is akin to killing the goose that lays the golden egg, and yes, the fact they sold loads, is precisely the point.
Of course, every single previous mustang was a V8, oh, apart from all those 200ish BHP rental spec ones, but the over 300 bhp 4 cyl turbo is destroying the image ? it isn't a Lambo, its a Ford, was always an affordable, good looking coupe with various engine options from the very tame to the extremely wild.Who wants to buy a "rental car"? Selling the 2.3 is akin to killing the goose that lays the golden egg, and yes, the fact they sold loads, is precisely the point.
Most folk don't get the Observers book of cars out to check the spec when one passes, they don't think that sounds like a V8/Ecoboost, they go, "oh, that's nice", its only car freaks that worry about it really.
Type R Tom said:
I hired both the Camaro and Mustang V6 cabs in the US last month, I thought the Camaro was far superior.
Ford must sell a load of them to hire companies though, pretty much every other car was a Mustang cab on all the tourist routes in California.
Just got back from a doing a week in LA & Vegas and I had a Mustang rag top In black, was quite surprised how many others I saw driving around especially while I was in Vegas.Ford must sell a load of them to hire companies though, pretty much every other car was a Mustang cab on all the tourist routes in California.
Wondered if I should have picked the Camaro but was more than happy with the Ford, definitely need a test drive of the V8 though!
GTEYE said:
The Mustang was always going to be a niche seller in the UK (if not the US).
Its not a surprise for global sales to be taking a dip - once the initial launch euphoria has subsided.
Maybe they need to revive interest and launch a diesel Mustang for the UK?
Tin hat on and waiting for the flack!
I'm waiting for the hybrid 'tangIts not a surprise for global sales to be taking a dip - once the initial launch euphoria has subsided.
Maybe they need to revive interest and launch a diesel Mustang for the UK?
Tin hat on and waiting for the flack!
JamesRF said:
Type R Tom said:
I hired both the Camaro and Mustang V6 cabs in the US last month, I thought the Camaro was far superior.
Ford must sell a load of them to hire companies though, pretty much every other car was a Mustang cab on all the tourist routes in California.
Just got back from a doing a week in LA & Vegas and I had a Mustang rag top In black, was quite surprised how many others I saw driving around especially while I was in Vegas.Ford must sell a load of them to hire companies though, pretty much every other car was a Mustang cab on all the tourist routes in California.
Wondered if I should have picked the Camaro but was more than happy with the Ford, definitely need a test drive of the V8 though!
I really wanted to keep the V8 but once we got to Yosemite (despite some nice roads) the Cab made sense with all the scenery. When they come down a bit I will be very tempted by the V8 for a weekend car.
Like one of the posters above I hired a V6 convertible last month for a Californian road trip. It was a good vehicle for the purpose, I'd have rather had the V8 but none were available, so was happy to make do. They were ever so common on PCH1, the rental firms must have bought thousands of the things, see my pic below (I thought I was being clever choosing a white one!).
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