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Ford Mustang Continues its Global Success, Returns to Motorsport

By Billy Ho

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 07: Ford Mustang is displayed at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show on March 7, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Global automakers are converging on the show as many seek to roll out viable, mass-production alternatives to the traditional combustion engine, especially in the form of electric cars. The Geneva auto show is also the premiere venue for luxury sports cars and imaginative prototypes. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 07: Ford Mustang is displayed at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show on March 7, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Global automakers are converging on the show as many seek to roll out viable, mass-production alternatives to the traditional combustion engine, especially in the form of electric cars. The Geneva auto show is also the premiere venue for luxury sports cars and imaginative prototypes. (Photo by Robert Hradil/Getty Images) /
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It’s been another banner year at Ford. Their iconic Mustang sports car continues its global dominance and will return to the racing circuit in both the United States and Australia.

The sports coupe has once again topped global sales charts for its segment, with Ford announcing that 125,809 Ford Mustangs were registered in 2017. Those figures puts the car a top of the list for sports coupes, with 81,866 of those sold within in the United States.

Worldwide Hit

Ford sales analyst Erich Merkle says the company is delighted with its continued success. He explained that its once difficult to obtain status has been shattered with its global availability, demand and popularity.

"“The world loves Ford Mustang. For years, Mustang was unobtainable for customers on most parts of the planet. It could only be found on TV or the internet, and now it rolls down streets from Beijing to São Paulo.”"

The buying demographic is shifting too. According to Ford, while traditionally most Mustang buyers have been male, there has been a 10% increase in women buying Mustangs over the past five years.

As expected, most buyers have opted for the 5.0-litre V8 (after all, who buys a four-cylinder Mustang? Honestly.)

Back on the Track

Sales figures were not the only Mustang-related news over the last few days either. Ford announced that the Mustang will return to the track on two motorsport fronts. Replacing the outgoing Fusion, the Mustang will be featured in the 2019 season of the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series.

Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook is amongst the many excited with its return.

"“We’re combining America’s favorite sports car with America’s top stock car racing series. Mustang always has been about affordable performance, which can be traced to innovations we’ve made competing in racing, like NASCAR. Mustang is a perfect fit for our racing heritage today and tomorrow.”"

The news is the same down in Australia, where Ford announced its return to Australian Motorsports. Dormant since 2015 after the demise of the Australian Ford Falcon, Ford will bring the Mustang (and the Ranger Raptor) to Supercars starting in 2019.

It will be the first time since the beginning of Supercars in 1997 that 2-door coupes are allowed in the field. Ford Performance will team with DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing and will use Ford’s V8 engine for the series.

Next: Auto Forums Are Nice...Sometimes

This is welcome news for Australian racing fans, especially those in either of the Ford and Holden camps. You can’t have an iconic rivalry without your best rival. Stay tuned.

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