This weekend marks the 58th anniversary of one of the most awesome reveals in automotive history — the debut of the original Ford Mustang at the New York World’s Fair, which succeeded in captivating an entire generation of car buyers.
The Ford Mustang is still going strong and for the seventh year in a row, it is the world’s best-selling sports coupe, according to Ford analysis of registration data from S&P Global Mobility.
Mustang retains the sales crown for 2021 led by the pinnacle of 5.0-liter V-8 performance, Mustang Mach 1, and the Mustang Shelby GT500, which the automaker describes as the most powerful street-legal Ford and most advanced Mustang ever built.
A vehicle like no other
“When enthusiasts around the world get into a Mustang, they unlock that feeling of freedom and experience the open road,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Blue.
“That feeling, along with iconic design, awesome powertrains and a passionate global community all contribute to making Mustang a sales leader for the seventh year in a row.”
According to Ford’s internal data, the United States — unsurprisingly — remains home to the strongest demand for Mustang representing 76% of global sales. For those who wanted a Mustang of their own, customers retail orders nearly doubled in 2021 compared to the year prior.
Sales grow in overseas markets
However, sales of the Mustang are growing in other markets around the world in 2021. Last year, Mustang sales grew 54.3% in New Zealand, 37.3% in Brazil and 1.6% in South Korea.
Ford looks to maintain the Mustang’s sales momentum with five new special editions in the line-up, including Mustang Ice White (also available on Mustang Mach-E), Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition, GT California Special, Coastal Limited and Stealth. From Mustang EcoBoost to Shelby GT500, there is a special edition at every performance level for enthusiasts.
Mustang gains eight new color options for 2022 as well, including Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange on Shelby GT500, while Brittany Blue Metallic returns specifically for Shelby GT500 Heritage and Coastal Limited models.
Additional new colors are available across the portfolio — including Atlas Blue Metallic, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Dark Matter Gray Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Grabber Blue Metallic and Mischievous Purple Metallic.
Meanwhile, the first battery electric versions of the Mustang family Mustang Mach-E, also had an a very successful year in 2021, becoming one of the hottest vehicles in Ford’s product portfolio.
In addition to a strong first full-year of sales, the Mustang Mach-E earned a trophy-case worth of press awards, including the coveted North American Utility Vehicle of the Year honor, Car, and Driver’s 2021 EV of the Year, 2021 Wards 10 Best award and a 2022 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award. Mustang Mach-E was also recently named a finalist for the 2022 World Car of the Year.