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The iconic Mustang's future is in doubt? Not exactly, but I think that for perhaps only the second time in the Mustang's near 50-year history, its relevance is being called into question.
It is becoming increasingly clear that today's teens and 20-somethings are not especially turned on by cars. Many manufacturers are catering to this crowd and Ford is doing just that with the likes of the Fiesta and Focus, but it's the Mustang that will require some severe tweaking if Ford wants to keep selling the car beyond 2025.
By then, the average Baby Boomer will be nearly 75. The current Mustang was (and still is) built for them, but by then most will have lost their driver's licenses or have bought a Buick Lacrosse.
In 10-15 years, the 40-year-olds will be the ones buying the Mustangs. These people who are in their mid-20s today were brought up admiring tuned Honda Civics and Volkswagen Golfs, not Mustangs. Therefore, most have little or no interest in today's Mustang, nor are they likely to in 15 years from now.
If Ford wants to keep selling their fabled Pony car, they need to do something about it now. Rumours are circulating about a 4-cylinder turbocharged ‘Stang which makes loads of sense. Manufacturers like Ford are touting the worth of a smaller boosted engine as the green alternative, and that's just fine and dandy. However, I don't think that this is the largest issue facing the Ford Mustang.
The styling has to change. A 27-year-old today will more often than not opt for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe or, if they have more dinero, grab a Nissan 370Z. I can scarcely imagine a young, reasonably affluent urbanite adult ever springing for a Mustang. That is, unless it's a Boss 302...
Ford has a big job on its hands. If the clan from Dearborn wants to ensure the continuity of its most storied and revered nameplate, they will need to face the music and bring forth serious changes.
BTW, it hurts me to think this way: I love the 2013 Ford Mustang!
As a final note, this entire blog also applies to the Chevrolet Camaro.
It is becoming increasingly clear that today's teens and 20-somethings are not especially turned on by cars. Many manufacturers are catering to this crowd and Ford is doing just that with the likes of the Fiesta and Focus, but it's the Mustang that will require some severe tweaking if Ford wants to keep selling the car beyond 2025.
By then, the average Baby Boomer will be nearly 75. The current Mustang was (and still is) built for them, but by then most will have lost their driver's licenses or have bought a Buick Lacrosse.
In 10-15 years, the 40-year-olds will be the ones buying the Mustangs. These people who are in their mid-20s today were brought up admiring tuned Honda Civics and Volkswagen Golfs, not Mustangs. Therefore, most have little or no interest in today's Mustang, nor are they likely to in 15 years from now.
If Ford wants to keep selling their fabled Pony car, they need to do something about it now. Rumours are circulating about a 4-cylinder turbocharged ‘Stang which makes loads of sense. Manufacturers like Ford are touting the worth of a smaller boosted engine as the green alternative, and that's just fine and dandy. However, I don't think that this is the largest issue facing the Ford Mustang.
The styling has to change. A 27-year-old today will more often than not opt for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe or, if they have more dinero, grab a Nissan 370Z. I can scarcely imagine a young, reasonably affluent urbanite adult ever springing for a Mustang. That is, unless it's a Boss 302...
Ford has a big job on its hands. If the clan from Dearborn wants to ensure the continuity of its most storied and revered nameplate, they will need to face the music and bring forth serious changes.
BTW, it hurts me to think this way: I love the 2013 Ford Mustang!
As a final note, this entire blog also applies to the Chevrolet Camaro.
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| Photo: Ford |