Ford Mustang becomes best-selling sports car on the planet

For over fifty years, Ford’s iconic muscle car has long been the best-selling sports car in the U.S, but now, thanks to growing demand in Europe and elsewhere, the model has become the most popular sports car in the world, according to Ford analysis of IHS Markit new vehicle registration data in the sports car segment.

A new, European-focussed Mustang has helped fuel the spike in sales, with 15,000 orders placed for the pony car in the region.

This ensured it was the best selling sports car in France, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Finland and Greece last year.

Ford attributes the success of its model to the ‘continued global rollout’, which saw ‘big sales gains’ in markets including Germany and China, as well as the car’s introduction to smaller territories such as New Caledonia, Gibraltar and Bonaire.

Launching into China in 2015 also played a major role in the success story, with the Mustang becoming a best selling sports car in the world’s largest auto market, with sales increasing by 74 per cent in 2015, according to IHS Markit new vehicle registrations.

“European customers continue to play a significant role in the global success of Mustang, explained Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.

“The iconic sports car’s popularity with drivers of all ages and backgrounds shows no sign of waning – we sold 3,600 Mustangs in the region during the first three months of 2017,” he added.

The Ford Mustang is now available in 140 countries across all continents other than Antarctica. This year, Ford will extend its offering to six new countries, including Brazil, the Palau Islands and the Ivory Coast, with three additional markets announced later.

By Leon Poultney