Ford Mustang marks its 59th anniversary as the world’s best-selling sports car for 10 years

For the past 10 years, the Ford Mustang has been the world’s best-selling sports car, adding yet another accolade to a success story that continues to grow. The American icon is also celebrating its 59th anniversary.

That timing is no coincidence. It was on this date - 17 April - in 1964 that the Ford Mustang was unveiled to the world, making the announcement all the more meaningful.

And, as is so often the case, the figures speak for themselves: 59 years of history and more than 10 million units sold.

A decade-leading global sales record for the Ford Mustang

According to Ford’s analysis of S&P Global Mobility registration data (based on passenger-vehicle registration records across more than 80 countries), no other sports car - defined here as a two-door coupé or convertible - has matched the Mustang’s cumulative sales total over the last decade.

We are proud of the entire Mustang family, what it represents for Ford and, in particular, our passionate Mustang owners and fans.

Dave Bozeman, Vice President of Enthusiast Vehicles at Ford Blue and Ford Customer Service Division

“It is our commitment to serve the global Mustang community, from Atlanta to Adelaide and beyond, that has given the Mustang the honour of being the world’s best-selling sports model across a decade,” added Dave Bozeman.

European market growing

Based on figures from the Blue Oval brand, the model’s strongest market remains the United States, its home territory.

Sales of the pony car in the US account for 78% of the Mustang’s total volume. Even so, over the last year the Mustang also posted notable growth in several European markets: Germany (+17%), Switzerland (+14.9%) and Great Britain (+14.4%).

The Ford Mustang’s appeal in the Middle East has also been building, with 2022 sales in the region rising by 7.4%.

Seventh generation is almost here

Revealed at the end of last year, the seventh-generation Ford Mustang is set to be sold in more than 100 markets and is due to reach Europe towards the end of 2023.

And despite ever-tighter emissions regulations, it will still be offered with the imposing - and most sought-after - 5.0 V8 Coyote engine.

This naturally aspirated eight-cylinder is the most powerful engine ever fitted to a Mustang, if we exclude Shelby-badged Mustangs. In the Mustang Dark Horse, this V8 produces 507 cv (500 hp) of power and 567 Nm of maximum torque.

In the Mustang GT, output drops to 487 cv and torque settles at 563 Nm. Even so, these figures remain higher than those delivered by the previous Mustang Mach 1, which we drove.

Engines and gearboxes for the new Ford Mustang in Europe

For the transmission, the V8 can be paired with either a 10-speed automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual.

Alongside the V8, the new Mustang will also arrive in Europe with a new 2.3 EcoBoost four-cylinder engine (available exclusively with a 10-speed automatic). This version will deliver 319 cv and 475 Nm.