Ford predicts a Mustang shortage could hit dealers this summer
Saturday, April 24, 2004
AMY WILSON AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
Ford Motor Co. expects to run out of current-model Mustangs before it begins assembling the redesigned 2005 Mustang in September.
Production of the 2004 Mustang will end May 10 at Ford's Rouge plant in Dearborn, Mich. Then Ford will shift Mustang production to Flat Rock, Mich., where it runs a joint-venture assembly plant with Mazda.
Since August, Ford has been building Mustangs on overtime to help it through the summer production drought. But demand for the old model has surpassed expectations: Mustang sales are up 16 percent this year.
"It's not going to make it," said Ford Division President Steve Lyons. "By July, they're going to be pretty scarce."
Buoyed by overtime production, Mustang stocks have been high through the winter. But the numbers are coming down fast. Ford had 58,200 Mustangs or a 96-day supply on April 1, down from a 127-day supply on March 1.
Sales for the rear-drive Mustang coupe and convertible typically are strongest in the spring and summer.
Convertibles account for 30 percent of production. After the current stock of convertibles sells out, buyers must wait until spring 2005 to get a drop-top version of the redesigned Mustang.
Ford offers a $3,000 cash rebate on the Mustang, but it might scale that back in May or June as inventories drop, Lyons said.
"There's no point (for incentives) when you're going to run out," he said. "You can't just back it off to zero. That doesn't work, but you might dial it differently."
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Do y'all think this is a ploy by Ford to sell their inventory before the '05's are rolled out?
Actually i read this is true, funny thing is, it was posted on a Fbody site, name of thread was
"Mustangs sell like crazy while our cars didn't sell at all"
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Real Eyes Realise Real Lies
Legends never die.. R.I.P. John E. Lingenfelter ~1945-2003
Good for FORD but will this improve thier quality assurance?
Ploy or not ... hope they use the $$$$ on the 05 QA program.
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"I've been around long enough to know how ignorant I am. I don't assume the universe obeys my preconceptions. Hah! But I know a frelling fact when it hits me in the face." -Rygel
My ROUSH Rides
98 ROUSH Stage 2 GT
03 ROUSH Cobra
I wonder if Mazda will build a Mustang based car like they did with the Probe. That would be interesting, a Mustang with an MX5 type of body. Talk about a sleeper.
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Black on black '95 GT ‘vert, 9# PD, AFR 165’s, Cobra intake, 65mm TB, Lightening mass air, 42# injectors, 190 pump, 1.7 rockers, X-pipe, Flowmasters, 'Z' trans , 3.27's, KB subs, Bilstein shocks/struts, H&R race springs, MM LCA’s & CC plates, Cobra brakes, Cervini's Stalker kit, S281 wing.
Originally posted by DropTopGT If this is true then why is Ford offering their no interest for 5 years or $3,000 back deal on all mustangs and Mach 1's here in Cali?
Not only that, but I just yesterday received a letter offering me a "Loyal customer" reward of an additional $1000 that could be used with the 0% or $3k rebate.
Ford running low on '04 Mustangs 
