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Mustang for SA: Muscle-car build begins

  • Mustang rolls off production line
  • New Mustang for SA in 2015
  • 9.4-million Mustangs sold in 50 years

FLAT ROCK, Michigan – In August 2014 Wheels24 reported that Ford was testing its first right-hand drive Mustang.

The new muscle car will arrive in South Africa later in 2015 though customers can place orders in January that year.

On Thursday (August 28) the new Mustang rolled off the automaker’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan. For the first time in its 50-year history, the cars will be available globally to customers in more than 120 countries.

AN AUTOMOTIVE ICON

Joe Hinrichs, Ford president USA, said: "Mustang is and will continue to be an automotive icon. Expanding its availability globally affords our customers around the world the opportunity to have a true first-hand Mustang experience - one unlike any other."

IMAGE GALLERY: Mustang at 2014 Chicago auto show

In April 2014, Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original Mustang.

In commemoration of this, each 2015 unit will sport a badge on the instrument panel that includes the galloping pony logo with the words "Mustang - Since 1964."

Ford has sold 9.2-million Mustangs in its 50 years of continuous production.

V8 OR ECOBOOST

Ford SA reports that local Mustangs will be powered by either a five-litre V8 or 2.3-litre EcoBoost units.

The V8 Mustang GT is capable of 313kW/390Nm, the EcoBoost 227kW/407Nm.

The sixth-generation Mustang has new front and rear suspensions. At the front, a new sub-frame helps to stiffen the structure while reducing mass, providing better handling, steering and ride. The rear uses an integral-link independent suspension.
 
MUSTANG FACTORY TRANSFORMED

In 2013, nine years after moving its Mustang production, Flat Rock celebrated its millionth Mustang.

The factory has been transformed, courtesy of a R5.8-billion investment. In addition to the Mustang, the factory also produces the Ford Fusion and has been producing vehicles since 1987 when it opened as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA and built the Mazda MX-6.

Ford and Mazda have since split.

Ford bought a 50% share in the facility in 1992 and it was renamed AutoAlliance International. Over the years the factory has produced Mazda 626, Mazda6, Mercury Cougar and Ford Probe.

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