Mustang shortage expected this summer.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Mustang shortage expected this summer.
Mustang production ends in 3 weeks and the new one doesn't hit the streets till September, so this probally doesn't surprise anyone:
(07:30 April 19, 2004)
Ford predicting shortage of outgoing Mustangs this summer
By 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 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."
Ford predicting shortage of outgoing Mustangs this summer
By 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 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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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39
From: Houston, TX
They are giving them away here
Well, in Houston, my buddy saw a couple new 04 Mustang GTs on the lot for under 16k. These cars were loaded with leather and automatic. If they are expecting a shortage then why are they giving them away?
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,313
Re: They are giving them away here
Originally posted by cjwilson99
Well, in Houston, my buddy saw a couple new 04 Mustang GTs on the lot for under 16k. These cars were loaded with leather and automatic. If they are expecting a shortage then why are they giving them away?
Well, in Houston, my buddy saw a couple new 04 Mustang GTs on the lot for under 16k. These cars were loaded with leather and automatic. If they are expecting a shortage then why are they giving them away?
. That's like $18,000 for a brand new GT. If i wasn't so poor, i'd have a Mach in my garage this very minute since they're going for around 23-24k too which is way below msrp thanks to the incentives/rebates. Darth good point. That very well may be the case.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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I doubt it's the styling, but I definitely agree on the incentives. Not only is Ford giving $3,000 off, but many dealers are giving discounts too. BTW, I'm the buddy that saw the $15,995 Mustang GT - fully loaded, auto and leather. There are now three Mach 1's where I work! It's hard to pass up a good deal like that.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,313
Originally posted by Big Als Z
Yeah, there are some massive incentives. I guess everyone is buying up Mustangs before the new ugly ones show up because no one wants to be caught driving an new "old" car.
Yeah, there are some massive incentives. I guess everyone is buying up Mustangs before the new ugly ones show up because no one wants to be caught driving an new "old" car.
I think it's a combination of many things. As mentioned, some may not be a fan of the upcoming body, and that may have caused those people to buy the sn95 style before the new style debuts. That's a possibility. But i think it has more to do with the pricing. There's some sweet deals out there now for the taking. This is easily the best time to buy an Sn95 or Mustang for that matter from a pricing prospective.
On the other hand, I've heard that Ford is trying to do some special leasing thing with the cobra since a lot of potential Cobra owners seem to be holding off for the 06/07 Cobra. I've heard they're doing a special leasing program (2.5 year? which coincides with new Cobra debut) and are also giving those owners 1st dibs on the new Cobra.
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Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 3,252
From: Knoxville, TN
As an FYI....I looked up Mustang sales for this year and last year to this date:
01 Jan - 17 Apr 04 = 58,951
01 Jan - 17 Apr 03 = 46,319
Extrapolated out to the end of the year, that's about a 240k+ year in sales. However, that obviously won't happen with the end of production coming up.
01 Jan - 17 Apr 04 = 58,951
01 Jan - 17 Apr 03 = 46,319
Extrapolated out to the end of the year, that's about a 240k+ year in sales. However, that obviously won't happen with the end of production coming up.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,306
From: Jersey Shore
if you think about it, 96 day supply isnt that great. I remember the Camaro had 102 in its last days. I still see lots of Mustangs on lots.
I dont know if this is a good thing for Ford, or a bad thing. I see Corvettes going for 35k brand new, and there is no news of corvettes running low. Is it because the price is still to high, or is it that people are looking foward to buying the faster, better looking (IMO), better performing, C6.
You would think that the same would apply to the Mustangs? But 14k for a GT is a steal.
I dont know if this is a good thing for Ford, or a bad thing. I see Corvettes going for 35k brand new, and there is no news of corvettes running low. Is it because the price is still to high, or is it that people are looking foward to buying the faster, better looking (IMO), better performing, C6.
You would think that the same would apply to the Mustangs? But 14k for a GT is a steal.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Originally posted by WERM
This just goes to show how sad the F-body sales situation was. Ford is worried that they will run out of Mustangs in 4 months while there are STILL new f-bodies floating around on the lots...
This just goes to show how sad the F-body sales situation was. Ford is worried that they will run out of Mustangs in 4 months while there are STILL new f-bodies floating around on the lots...
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,180
From: Yadkinville, NC USA
You guys are forgetting that the 2004 models have this cool little badge on the side of them that says "40th Anniversary".
Crap like that sells cars - not every car, but it does contribute.
The buyer who knows nothing about the history of the car, but sees that fender badge and the console insert, then thinks they have stumbled onto something special. Throw in a $3k rebate, and the goods are sold.
Personally, I don't care what it takes to get them into a Mustang the first time... rebates, lease, colors, seat covering, anything... as long as they don't go lay down $25k for a freakin' import!
Kudos to Ford...
... sellthehelloutofem!!!
Crap like that sells cars - not every car, but it does contribute.
The buyer who knows nothing about the history of the car, but sees that fender badge and the console insert, then thinks they have stumbled onto something special. Throw in a $3k rebate, and the goods are sold.
Personally, I don't care what it takes to get them into a Mustang the first time... rebates, lease, colors, seat covering, anything... as long as they don't go lay down $25k for a freakin' import!
Kudos to Ford...
... sellthehelloutofem!!!
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,029
Originally posted by Big Als Z
I dont know if this is a good thing for Ford, or a bad thing. I see Corvettes going for 35k brand new, and there is no news of corvettes running low. Is it because the price is still to high, or is it that people are looking foward to buying the faster, better looking (IMO), better performing, C6.
You would think that the same would apply to the Mustangs? But 14k for a GT is a steal.
I dont know if this is a good thing for Ford, or a bad thing. I see Corvettes going for 35k brand new, and there is no news of corvettes running low. Is it because the price is still to high, or is it that people are looking foward to buying the faster, better looking (IMO), better performing, C6.
You would think that the same would apply to the Mustangs? But 14k for a GT is a steal.