Dave Pericak speaks a bit about the Mustang's future

[Twin Turbo]

I'll take that from a UK perspective, at least in terms of the Mustang. We've been able to buy a Mustang from a UK dealer for five years now, and I'll be sad if that option is taken away from us.

However, we've been importing Mustangs (admittedly LHD ones) for 55 years and, unless they change the laws around that, I'd hope we'd be able to revert back to that way on satisfying our Mustang lust.

Ironically, many "hardcore" UK Mustang owners actually didn't like the fact Ford brought it over here for official RHD sales. They like the fact they're driving something you can't just go down the road and buy. I guess there's a "rite of passage" that comes from personally importing a Mustang and sitting on the "wrong" side.

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[Bikeman315]

Fixed that for you, bud!

I would take a more moderate stance on that. Let’s say “unwanted”.

 

[Bikeman315]

I'll take that from a UK perspective, at least in terms of the Mustang. We've been able to buy a Mustang from a UK dealer for five years now, and I'll be sad if that option is taken away from us.

However, we've been importing Mustangs (admittedly LHD ones) for 55 years and, unless they change the laws around that, I'd hope we'd be able to revert back to that way on satisfying our Mustang lust.

Ironically, many "hardcore" UK Mustang owners actually didn't like the fact Ford brought it over here for official RHD sales. They like the fact they're driving something you can't just go down the road and buy. I guess there's a "rite of passage" that comes from personally importing a Mustang and sitting on the "wrong" side.

Thank you for your insight Paul. What is the general feeling about being possibly forced into non ICE alternatives in the future for the purpose of reduced emissions?

 

[Hack]

I would take a more moderate stance on that. Let’s say “unwanted”.

You are probably right. The government is pushing bans on the only engine I want. They probably aren't going to FORCE me to buy something different for a few more years. I will be able to just drive old cars rather than ever buying a new car again.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Oh, and the proposed petrol and diesel ban in the UK is from 2035 (brought forward 5 years). And I emphasize proposed as it's certainly not law yet.

So, that's another 15 years away. That at least means the 7th gen (2022-2032??) would be able to be sold here in the UK. But, yeah, questions would need to be asked about an 8th gen car.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Thank you for your insight Paul. What is the general feeling about being possibly forced into non ICE alternatives in the future for the purpose of reduced emissions?

For most car enthusiasts, they hate the idea. I know I do.

I think even the average consumer is concerned. Concerned about the initial purchase price and also about the "alternative" environmental impact (cobalt mine / additional electric power station requirements). Concerned about how they will charge their car at home......don't forget this is a VERY old country and many older homes don't have offstreet parking etc.

There will also be, no doubt, "hidden" taxes. Right now, many cities have a congestion charge for driving in them. Of course, this doesn't really reduce congestion by a great amount as alternative transport options just aren't there. So people just have to stump up the extra cash to go about their daily lives.

 

[NoVaGT]

Besides, I believe those discussions about banning them were in Britain, not in EU, so your hatred might be a bit misaimed.

Denmark, really the whole of the E.U. (which no longer includes Britain). They want to stop selling them in 20 years.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/denmark-eu-ban-gas-diesel-cars/

 

[Vlad Soare]

So a question please. How do folks on your side of the pond feel about this? Especially since you’ve only had Mustang’s for five years.

We've been worshipping the Mustang for a very long time. In the 1990s, as I had just got my driver's licence, the Mustang was already my dream car, symbolizing freedom, raw power, American spirit - everything European cars weren't. When my boss bought a used SN-95 in 1998, I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.
In the early 2000s I looked into importing one myself. I found a company that could buy it and deliver it to a Romanian port, after which it would have been my job to do all the paperwork. Unfortunately, the entire procedure was complicated and very expensive. I couldn't afford it. And even if I could have afforded it, it would have still not made much sense, considering that I would have ended up with a car I could get no parts for, and which no Ford dealership in the country could repair. So I had to pass.
So, as soon as the sixth generation appeared in our local showrooms, I was there to greet it.

Funny story: the most discussed topic in our office is my upcoming Mustang. All of my colleagues keep asking me about it - when is it coming, what color is it going to be, wow, how nice, will you give me a ride in it, etc. They're all at least as excited about it as I am.
I never expected such an excitement. I'm pretty proud of my current car, which is top of the line and quite special in many ways, but nobody gives a damn about it. A few guys have very nice BMWs - mainly 4 and 5 series, one of them is even an M4. There are many really good cars around, which don't attract too much attention. But as soon as I uttered the word 'Mustang' everybody's eyes started sparkling.
I find that amazing.

In Romania we love cars. Of course we're not all petrolheads like myself, but we do want cars. We would rather give up eating than driving.

Denmark, really the whole of the E.U. (which no longer includes Britain). They want to stop selling them in 20 years.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/denmark-eu-ban-gas-diesel-cars/

Denmark is not representative for the entire union. Banning the sale of new cars in Denmark won't change much, considering that even today buying a new car there is next to impossible (100% tax, or thereabouts). Don't judge an entire continent by one small socialist prison.

 

[NoVaGT]

Denmark is not representative for the entire union. Banning the sale of new cars in Denmark won't change much, considering that even today buying a new car there is next to impossible (100% tax, or thereabouts). Don't judge an entire continent by one small socialist prison.

It's not about just Denmark, it's about all of the countries that form the E.U. Denmark has put forth a proposed ban on ICEs for ALL of the E.U. Denmark initially proposed a ban starting in 10 years, then backed that off to 20 years.

Norway already has an ICE sales ban that starts in 5 years. The Netherlands have a ban that starts in 10 years. France and the U.K. are also calling for a ban in 20 years.

So if we're paying attention, ICEs are on their way out in Europe. And if they want to go down that road, then the Mustang has no market there.

Europe has lost it's collective mind with the stupid, and it looks like the stupid is spreading from one country to the next. Their politicians look like they're in a race to out-do each other, one-upping the socialist stupid time and again.

 

[Vlad Soare]

That some nutheads are proposing it doesn't mean it's going to actually happen.
Besides, twenty years is a long time. We could have two new generations of Mustangs until then.

 

[NoVaGT]

That some nutheads are proposing it doesn't mean it's going to actually happen.
Besides, twenty years is a long time. We could have two new generations of Mustangs until then.

Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and France (that I know of, without searching further) are "some" nutheads??

I'll give you the nut-heads part, but those countries listed above are collectively some big players in the E.U.

I should check on Germany.

ETA; GERMANY'S ICE BAN STARTS IN 2030!!!!

Ya'll are kidding yourselves if you think this isn't going to happen. It is, it's just a question of how fast?

 

[Bikeman315]

That some nutheads are proposing it doesn't mean it's going to actually happen.
Besides, twenty years is a long time. We could have two new generations of Mustangs until then.

 

[Vlad Soare]

It is, it's just a question of how fast?

Not fast enough to scare me.
I'll worry about the future when the time comes. I'll enjoy the present until then.

 

[Bikeman315]

Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and France (that I know of, without searching further) are "some" nutheads??

I'll give you the nut-heads part, but those countries listed above are collectively some big players in the E.U.

I should check on Germany.

ETA; GERMANY'S ICE BAN STARTS IN 2030!!!!

Ya'll are kidding yourselves if this isn't going to happen. It is, it's just a question of how fast?

So what? Let them do what they want. Honestly I really do not care. Now if I read the “United States ICE ban to start in 2030” that would concern me. Otherwise why raise your blood pressure?

 

[NoVaGT]

So what? Let them do what they want. Honestly I really do not care. Now if I read the “United States ICE ban to start in 2030” that would concern me. Otherwise why raise your blood pressure?

The topic I've raised is whether or not Ford should even be concerned with Euro Mustang sales. I'm suggesting Ford ignore Europe as far as the Mustang goes.

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