The Ford Mustang might not be selling as strongly in the U.S. these days, but that doesn’t mean its future is in trouble. In fact, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley recently made it clear that the company is pouring serious investment into keeping the pony car alive and expanding what it stands for. Despite a 14% sales drop in the first half of 2025, Farley believes the Mustang still has a strong global presence, and he pointed out in a podcast with The Verge that more Mustangs are being sold overseas than in America. According to him, that international demand is what gives Ford confidence to keep pushing the Mustang forward.
Farley proudly described Mustang as a truly global sports car and reminded listeners that it’s still the world’s best-selling sports coupe. He even joked that “everyone wants to do a burnout,” and the Mustang remains the perfect car for those wanting “a little slice of America” no matter where they live. Interestingly, he also addressed the criticism about the latest model’s locked ECU. While he admitted that his own son skipped the new S650 Mustang because it wasn’t tunable, he claimed that the restriction hasn’t slowed down sales. And now that HP Tuners has cracked the ECU, the aftermarket tuning scene is opening up again.
But Ford’s Mustang strategy might not just be about the coupe we all know. Farley hinted that other models could join the family, possibly including a four-door coupe nicknamed the Mach 4 or even a Baja-style off-road Mustang. These ideas aren’t just rumors—dealers reportedly saw previews of such concepts, and Ford already introduced a performance-focused EcoBoost Mustang RTR earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show. Since the Mach-E crossover already carries the Mustang name, it seems Ford is willing to stretch the brand into new directions.
There’s also talk about a hybrid Mustang coming in the future. While hardcore fans may see this as breaking tradition, stricter emissions rules in Europe and other markets make it harder for carmakers to rely only on gasoline engines. That said, Farley has been vocal about one thing: there will never be a full Mustang EV—at least not the two-door coupe. Gas-powered Mustangs are still here to stay, likely well into the 2030s, even if hybrids join the lineup along the way.
Expanding the Mustang lineup might upset purists, but from a business perspective, it’s a smart move. Using the strength of such an iconic name to launch new models keeps the Mustang brand alive, relevant, and profitable in an era where traditional sports cars are vanishing. Farley’s message is clear: Ford isn’t just keeping the Mustang around—it’s doubling down on making sure it thrives in the future.