In its first year of global availability since the nameplate was launched in North America in 1964, Ford's Mustang has become the world's best-selling sports coupe, the automaker claimed.
"Demand for the iconic pony car remains insatiable," it said.
According to company analysis of the most recent registration data from IHS Automotive, Ford sold around 110,000 Mustang Coupes globally in 2015 – topping all other sports coupe competitors.
That record was achieved despite limited availability for most of the year in such key markets like China and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Ford sold around 30,000 convertibles, for total nameplate sales of 141,868 vehicles – making the model the best-selling two-door sports car in the world.
"US consumers have enjoyed interesting foreign sports cars for decades, so it was time for the Americans to return the favour with the worldwide launch of the new Mustang," said Ford sales analyst Erich Merkle. "Global markets have responded in a huge way. Mustang was the only sports coupe in the world with more than 100,000 units registered last year."
Global data for 2015 suggests Mustang has room to grow overseas this year as many markets begin to take delivery of their full allotment. So far, Merkle noted, global customers are most interested in models with the V8 engine.
"While much of the growth in Mustang demand in the United States has come from coastal markets – especially Southern California – and millennials opting for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, buyers in other countries prefer the V8," he said. "That unmistakable V8 warble is a hot commodity outside the US."
Leadership in North America
In March, Mustang sales of 12,563 cars in the United States outperformed sales of 12,248 for the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger combined, according to published figures. Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe in the US for all of 2015 and throughout the first quarter of 2016, according to industry reported numbers.
In Canada, Mustang has outsold the Camaro every year since 1985, according to data from the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association. Ford has the best-selling sports coupe in Canada.
And in Mexico, Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe last year, according to IHS registration data. Mustang sales were up 176% in Mexico in 2015 versus 2014.
Source: just-auto.com