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Ford Mustang Sales Fall To Challenger, Outsell Camaro During Q3 2021

By Francisco Cruz

October 5, 2021 6:10 pm

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Ford Mustang sales decreased in the United States and Brazil while increasing in Mexico and Argentina during the third quarter of 2021.

Ford Mustang Sales - Q3 2021 - United States

In the United States, Ford Mustang deliveries totaled 9,115 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 34 percent compared to 13,851 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Mustang sales decreased about 14 percent to 41,065 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
MUSTANG -34.19% 9,115 13,851 -13.80% 41,065 47,637

Ford Mustang Sales - Q3 2021 - Canada

In Canada, Ford Mustang deliveries totaled 1,121 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 36 percent compared to 1,747 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Mustang sales decreased about 4 percent to 3,780 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
MUSTANG -35.83% 1,121 1,747 -4.45% 3,780 3,956

Ford Mustang Sales - Q3 2021 - Mexico

In Mexico, Ford Mustang deliveries totaled 143 units in Q3 2021, an increase of about 10 percent compared to 130 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Mustang sales decreased about 3 percent to 504 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
MUSTANG +10.00% 143 130 -3.45% 504 522

Ford Mustang Sales - Q3 2021 - Brazil

In Brazil, Ford Mustang deliveries totaled 15 units in Q3 2021, a decrease of about 82 percent compared to 83 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Mustang sales decreased about 7 percent to 245 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
MUSTANG -81.93% 15 83 -7.20% 245 264

Ford Mustang Sales - Q3 2021 - Argentina

In Argentina, Ford Mustang deliveries totaled 11 units in Q3 2021, an increase of about 450 percent compared to 2 units sold in Q3 2020.

In the first nine months of the year, Mustang sales increased about 238 percent to 27 units.
MODEL Q3 2021 / Q3 2020 Q3 2021 Q3 2020YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
MUSTANG +450.00% 11 2 +237.50% 27 8

Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)

The 34 percent drop in U.S. Ford Mustang sales during the third quarter of 2021 places The Blue Oval’s pony car in second place in its segment by sales volume, falling to the Dodge Challenger by 4,879 units while outselling the Chevy Camaro by nearly 3,912 units.

Challenger sales fell 14 percent, posting the smallest decrease out of the three models in the segment. Meanwhile, Camaro sales fell nearly 38 percent and the Mustang experienced a 34 percent drop.

Sales Numbers - Two-Door Muscle Cars - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
DODGE CHALLENGER -14.32% 13,994 16,332 49% 42% +15.10% 44,142 38,350
FORD MUSTANG -34.19% 9,115 13,851 32% 36% -13.80% 41,065 47,637
CHEVROLET CAMARO -37.81% 5,203 8,366 18% 22% -32.13% 15,084 22,226
TOTAL -26.56% 28,312 38,549 -7.32% 100,291 108,213

The performance allowed the Mustang to garner a 32 percent segment share, while the Challenger dominated the segment with a 49 percent share. Meanwhile, the Camaro accounted for only 18 percent. Only the Dodge product saw an uptick in segment share to 49 percent, while the Mustang’s share slid four percentage points to 32 percent.

The two-door muscle car segment contracted nearly 27 percent to 28,312 units, meaning that Mustang sales underperformed the segment average. It should be noted that “underperformed” is an extremely relative term this year, given the ongoing microchip shortage, which has forced automakers to divert the crucial electronic parts to their most profitable models.

For reference, we are providing sales results for the expanded two-door, mainstream sports car segment below.

Sales Numbers - Mainstream Two-Door Sports Cars - Q3 2021 - USA

MODEL Q3 21 / Q3 20 Q3 21 Q3 20 Q3 21 SHARE Q3 20 SHARE YTD 21 / YTD 20 YTD 21 YTD 20
DODGE CHALLENGER -14.32% 13,994 16,332 45% 38% +15.10% 44,142 38,350
FORD MUSTANG -34.19% 9,115 13,851 29% 32% -13.80% 41,065 47,637
CHEVROLET CAMARO -37.81% 5,203 8,366 17% 19% -32.13% 15,084 22,226
MAZDA MX-5 MIATA +25.69% 2,931 2,332 9% 5% +44.44% 9,608 6,652
FIAT 124 SPIDER -85.82% 59 416 0% 1% -32.71% 932 1,385
TOYOTA 86 -98.45% 10 644 0% 1% -46.95% 1,044 1,968
NISSAN 370Z -99.41% 3 509 0% 1% -98.02% 36 1,819
SUBARU BRZ -99.87% 1 784 0% 2% -58.65% 722 1,746
TOTAL -27.57% 31,316 43,234 -7.51% 112,633 121,783

The Ford Authority Take

Ford Mustang sales previously dominated the segment during a COVID-19-ridden Q2 2020, however, just as Ford Authority predicted, The Blue Oval’s pony car slipped to second place during Q3 2020, maintaining this position during Q4 2020. Then, the Mustang started 2021 off on the right foot by reclaiming the best-selling position in its segment. And during Q2 2021, the Mustang fell behind the Challenger by only 376 units. Now, Ford’s pony has lost more ground to the Challenger, though it remains a close race. The Mustang has a fighting chance to reclaim the number one spot for the 2021 calendar year, but that might be easier said than done, given the production setbacks at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant gas leak, which sidelined the facility for most of September.

It’s worth noting that sales of GT Premium and high-performance Mustang Shelby GT350/GT500 models increased almost 12 percent during Q1 2021, according to data provided by FoMoCo. Additionally, the Mustang outsold the Challenger by nearly 2,000 units during the first half of 2021.

We expect Mustang sales to continue at their current pace in subsequent quarters of 2021, unless Ford begins to offer higher incentives on the vehicle or supply/availability improves. The pony gained a new variant in the form of the 2021 Mustang Mach 1, which indirectly replaced the Bullitt and Shelby GT350. As reported by Ford Authority, the very first units of the Mach 1 began shipping to dealers in February 2021 from the Ford Flat Rock plant.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Ford Mustang sales in Q3 2020, except if noted
  • There were 77 selling days for Q3 2021 and 77 selling days for Q3 2020
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales

More Information & Sales Reporting

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By Francisco Cruz

Frankie's first favorite car was a 1968 Ford Mustang, and he's had a strong appreciation for the nameplate ever since. Later in his youth he became infatuated with Eleanor, thanks to Nicholas Cage's stellar performance. Frank's a real jokester, too.

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Comments

  1. I certainly wouldn’t be concerned by this stat at all. The Camaro and the Mustang are much more direct competitors, read handling focused, than the Challenger, they’re focused more on straight line performance. The fact the Mustang edged out the Camaro for most of their parallel lives I thinks speaks well to who creates the more complete package.

    Reply

  2. Looking at Mustang inventory on dealership lots in my area. It doesn’t surprise my that Mustang sales have dropped. Most dealers have one or two Mustangs available making it hard to sell a product you don’t have. On the other hand the local Chrysler dealership has a larger selection of Challengers and Chargers available from base models to performance ones. I noticed the Mach E outsold the gasoline powered Mustangs, but their sales are not included in the total. I thought the Mach E was a Mustang. It should be added in the overall total.

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