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Ford Mustang | we have liftoff

The all-new Mustang is due in Australian showrooms by late 2015 or early 2016.

The global boss of Ford Alan Mulally has made a surprise visit to Australia to officially confirm the Mustang muscle car will return to local showrooms -- the first time a factory-built right-hand-drive version will be sold here in almost 50 years. 

Mr Mulally, who arrived yesterday under a cloak of secrecy, joined Ford’s global head of sales and marketing Jim Farley flew to announce the news to more than 1000 dealers, VIP guests and media at a $4 million extravaganza at Fox Studios in Sydney. The all-new Mustang will be unveiled next year and is due in Australian showrooms by late 2015 or early 2016 and will spearhead the arrival of 11 new models. 

Executive Vice-President of Global Marketing, Sales and Service, Jim Farley, and Dave Schoch -- Group VP and President, Ford Asia-Pac -- also flew to Australia to announce the news to more than 1000 dealers, VIP guests and media at a $4 million extravaganza at Fox Studios in Sydney today.

After 45 minutes of hum-drum model reveals Mr Farley said: "The Mustang is coming to Australia .. but you’ll have to wait for more information" as a logo of the Mustang appeared on the screen behind him.

Mr Mulally said: “We are accelerating the implementations of our One Ford plan for Australia. We will refresh our entire vehicle line up in Australia, offering 11 global vehicles by 2016. Today we’re making a promise to Australia to celebrate the open road. We want to be part of the fabric of the Australian community."

There were a dozen new models on display and a sneak preview of the last Falcon, due on sale next year, flashed up on a screen. The Mustang’s return overshadowed a new top-secret seven-seater SUV that was designed and engineered in Australia but will likely be built in Thailand. The new seven-seat SUV concept called the Everest to be sold alongside the Territory was not due to be unveiled for at least another 12 months.

But Ford brought it forward as part of a plan to reinforce to customers that it will remain in Australia even after the local factories close in 2016. “There is a group of people who completely understand that Ford is staying and only our factories are closing, but there are others who believe Ford is leaving in its entirety,” said the boss of Ford Australia Bob Graziano.

“Ford vehicles have been part of the automotive landscape in Australia for almost 110 years and we have manufactured here since 1925. We are proud of that history. Overall, we are changing, but our commitment to Australia remains strong.” In an unusual coincidence the Ford party started as Holden factory workers in Adelaide lodged their votes on changes to wages and conditions at the car maker.

The timing of the Ford and Holden events today continues a series of unfortunate coincidences. Holden workers were due to vote on new wages and conditions that will affect the future of the company last Friday. But it was delayed, creating today’s clash. When Holden unveiled the new Commodore to the media in May, Ford announced it was closing its factories.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

 

Ford Mustang fast facts

The last time a Ford Mustang was imported to Australia as a right-hand-drive car was in the late 1960s.

Ford Australia converted a small number of Mustangs locally between 2001 and 2003. They were rushed in to compete with the modern Holden Monaro, but priced close to $90,000 fewer than 400 were sold.

The new Mustang is expected to have a starting price close to $50,000. In North America the basic V6 Mustang costs less than $30,000.

The new Mustang will be available with turbo four-cylinder, V6 and V8 power. Ford is yet to confirm which versions will be sold locally.

The Mustang will spearhead Ford Australia’s revived line-up at a time when it will likely be receiving gloomy publicity over its factory closures.

Racing legend Dick Johnson raced a Mustang in the 1985 and 1986 Australian touring car championships when Ford temporarily dropped the Falcon V8.

The Ford Mustang is one of the world’s most iconic cars. When it was unveiled at the New York motor show in April 1964 Ford expected to sell 100,000 Mustangs in its first full year on sale.

It went on to sell more than 1 million in just 18 months. It took Chevrolet 40 years to reach the same milestone with the Corvette.

Debut: New York motor show, April 1964.
Movie highlights: James Bond’s Goldfinger (1964), Steve McQueen’s Bullit (1968), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000).
Sales: More than 1 million were sold in the first 18 months. More than 8.5 million have been sold to date.
Today’s Mustang: The flagship Shelby 500 GT powered by a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 is the world’s most powerful V8 road car (662hp or 493kW).
Tomorrow’s Mustang: It will adopt sleeker and more futuristic lines than the current model inspired by the 1968 coupe, and it will have a choice of turbo four-cylinder, V6 and V8 power.