Discuss. Could this be a risky decision to make already considering that retro-themed cars seem to "sizzle and fade" in just a few years?

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosins...b01-286634.htm

 

Oh boy...just as I suspected. I belive that I was told by the Ford faithful that the Mustang would be updated before then? 5 long years of that design could do some seroius damage...especialy when the Chevy and Dodge coupe arive on the scene with fresh faces and modern design.

 

Any evidence or examples for that, that aren't limited runs or priced to the rich??? PT Cruiser is still going strong, as are the Beetle and MINI. Some could argue that the Beetle and Mini aren't retro (as perhaps the Mustang is not). However, I just don't see Mustang sales dropping off into oblivion in two years

 

Personally, i don't buy into the whole "it's retro, therefore it'll automatically fail sales wise down the line" mentality. I think it ties into how appealing the car is throughout its life-course, and not the styling direction (retro vs modern) alone. Any new car (retro or modern) will have to look attractive/appealing to have any chance of selling in large volumes.

Having said that, i don't think the 05 is any different than the fox or the sn95's (both had 5+ year life-cycles without styling changes whatsoever) so it being unchanged for 5 years on is really nothing new. 87-93 fox's lasted 7 years, 94-98 sn95's were around for 5 years, 99-04 new-edge sn95's were on the market for 6 years. So is 5 years that big of a departure?

In the end, they'll probably just maintain the strategy they had with the sn95's, and that's "variation". We already know there'll be 9 some variations of the new mustang, and they'll be introduced between the intro and the end of the decade. Keeping things fresh, offering special editions, keeping excitement/interest up, etc... will play a very key role. If Ford maintains the marketing success and strategy of the sn95, then things won't get as stale as you might think.

In the end, i don't think it'll have any trouble sales wise, even 5 years down the line with no major changes. Ford will offer tons of variations and special editions throughout the life-cycle, the nameplate is quite popular and iconic, and the passion/interest (atleast initial) seems to be very strong for the new 05's. I think it'll have a good 5 years.

My question is, where will Ford go after 2010 when it comes time to restyle? I ask this because i think Ford just got a new styling chief here in N.A and he doesn't seem to be a big fan of retro. Where do you see him taking the next Mustang when it comes to time to restyle?

 

Not oblivion, but many just enough for the Camaro to take a sales lead

 

Beetel isnt "retro". There hasnt been enough generations of Beetel to become retro. Its just an evolution. Same with the Mini.

PT has gone on becuse what else is there out there? But the PT sales have dipped, and the way DCX keeps up is with new models.

Problem the Mustang faces is that it wont be alone for too long. PT is by itself is retro wagons...but the HHR will take that, and PT sales will dip well below for the larger HHR will suck up a lot of its sales.
If Chevy and Dodges' coupes nail design and power...Ford will deffinatly want to change that Mustang design asap.

 

Quite possible! It's been quite a while and it will happen eventually (if a Camaro comes back with the Camaro name). Will it happen in 2007? I'd love to see them try, competition is good for us the consumer!

 

I agree with Gold...Ford has gotten real good at the special edition game. Seems like its part of their marketing. I like the idea alot myself, it should produce some interesting cars for very little capital investment.

Just noticed from the pics in the article....looks like they kept the hood prop rod. I hate those...put the extra $20 in the car for some hood struts.

 

Do you think a 5th gen has what it takes to put out 150k+ units/sales on a continues and annual basis? That's a tough one to crack. Only sport coupe to really do that with any consistancy nowadays is mustang. Even 100k will be tough to crack.

Al, the charger will probably steal more sales from its own magnum/300 line as well as GTO than mustang if the spy pics are any real indication of what is to come from Dodge. I also think it'll be priced more than the bread and butter mustangs (v6/GT which start at under 20 and 25k respectively).

The upcoming Camaro will most definitly have some sort of affect. But by ow much...That's hard to predict. Will it be like 1967 when it took a nice chunk out of potential mustang sales or will it be like the 4th gens and not even put a dent on sn95 sales? It'll all depend on the mass appeal and marketing of the 5th gen imo.

 

The nice thing about the 05 Mustang design theme is that they already have several years of "updates" pre-done for them... the 68 Mustang, the 69 Mustang, the 70 Mustang... etc etc etc... :blah:

 

I'm not saying Mustang sales will flame out by 2007 or so...but Ford is convinced this design will age very well. I'm not so sure. Especially when you'll see dozens of them on the road every day. And yes, what if the Camaro and DCX's coupe present a fresh new design theme to the world right about that same time? It might not be enough to steal Mustang's crown but it could theoretically divide the whole market back into thirds....

 

If the the new Camaro comes out in 2007 just as all those who "need" the new Mustang have one, and it is of better quality than the Mustang while being very competative in price, and is styled right, and has a 3.9L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.0L LS2 all with 6 speed Manuals and 6 speed automatics, and optional AWD on the 3.9L and 5.3L cars, then yes, I'd say it has a very good chance of breaking 100K units and beating the Mustang in Sales.

Not that winning sale from the Mustang is that important to me, remember the more people that buy one, then the less special and unique they become. I just want volume to be high enough for a good aftermarket and GM support.

 

I think the DCX coupe will sell in limited numbers, ala GTO. Neither Mustang nor Camaro have anything to worry about there.

 

DARTH XED: LMAO!!!! that is one of the funniest things I've read in a while. Thanks.

I think that if GM can market the Camaro like they are doing with the Cobalt, not necessarily piggy back off the Vette, the Camaro has enough heritage to make a slew of awesome commercials. However, the first car to appear with a Corvette in a commercial was..... you guessed it, the '67 Camaro.

I think if GM brings back the rivalry between Camaro/Mustang, we could have a winner. Commercials creating a little competition between the two would definitely be good for the Camaro and probably for the Mustang, too.

Just some random thoughts.

 

I think it'll be fine. Ford is very good at the special model game (something I wish Chevy would do with this upcoming "Chevy coupe" and possibly even Pontiac do with the GTO) and they should keep the interest level up in the car.