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There was more bad news for Ford's Mustang line in January: Sales have kept declining despite the company's efforts to keep it a top-seller. Sales were down to 6,545 of the flagship sport car. This was a substantial drop from the 9,064 cars they sold in the same month one year earlier. It was a 27.8 percent decline in sales—a distasteful icing on the cake following the 26.1 percent decline in December. Worse yet, nobody seems quite sure why the Mustang is in such a slump. Some attribute it to the auto's poor fuel economy, while others suggest the brand has simply lost its novelty. There are promises of a face-lift for the Mustang line, and many fans of the car hope this will restore its luster. It's anyone's guess as to how this effort will fare.
There are a few bright lights in the Ford lineup. Crossover sales figures show promise, and the Edge sales numbers increased 95 percent while the Lincoln MKX improved by 78 percent. And even the truck line, despite the current gasoline crunch, enjoys modestly good sales.
Ford hopes its 2008 Mustangs will bring some of that magic to the legendary sports model. Its lineup will include several special-edition models, including The Warriors in Pink, the Bullitt, and the Shelby GT500KR Mustangs. The last time there was a significant change in the Mustang was in 2004 (actually the 2005 model year). Some hints of what is to come have surfaced, including improvements in the interior, and a revised front and rear fascia. There also appears to be a new grille, headlamps and taillights in store. The engine appears to also be getting an upgrade, including an EcoBoost v6 engine.
No matter how Ford tries to slice it, gas economy does seem to have at least some importance. They can no longer ignore the fact that gas prices of $3.00 and above seem to be here for the long haul, and that buyers are less inclined now to buy anything perceived as a gas guzzler. The evidence is in its own Ford Focus line, with sales up 3 percent in December. The Focus is noted for good fuel economy. This could be important given the recent Energy Independence and Security Act signed by President Bush, which emphasizes the importance of fuel efficiency in new cars. The bill requires a fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Ford, as well as every other U.S. Auto maker, will have to attain a 35 mile per gallon average in all vehicles. The 2008 GT averages just between 15 city and 23 highway mpg.
In the midst of all the gloom, there is good news for some Mustang fans—specifically, fans of the Shelby version. Ford plans to keep making and selling the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang. This is despite the fact that the car originally was intended to have only a life of about two or three years. So keep your eyes peeled: You should see a 2009 and 2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang in the not too distant future. And the company is set to keep evaluating the possibility of future editions as well.
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