The debut of the 2024 Ford Mustang is a notable one for a number of reasons, particularly since the beloved pony car can still be had with V8 power and a manual transmission – two things that are slowly going away in the automotive world, even as most have opted for an automatic thus far – though the S650 generation Mustang is designed to appeal to younger customers with its fancy new gadgets and big screens inside the cabin.
However, the 2024 Ford Mustang is suddenly without a proper rival given the impending discontinuation of the sixth-generation Camaro and its uncertain future past this year, as well as the end of Dodge Challenger production – though those models may live on, after all – even if it is in all-electric form. Regardless, it doesn’t seem as if Ford expects the Bow Tie and Mopar faithful to switch to The Blue Oval side, as Ford Mustang brand manager Jim Owens recently explained to CarExpert.
“This isn’t our first time that Camaro and Challenger haven’t been with us,” Owens said. “There’s been times where they’ve not been here in the segment, and we’ve been there continuously. First in, last out. We’ll still be there. For the people who have a Bow Tie tattooed on their body, or a Challenger Hellcat, Redeye, Demon… we probably won’t bring those people in. For those who are still interested in an internal-combustion engine version of the sports car and don’t have their loyalties, we really believe we have not only the design, but the powertrain and the suspension, and that technology [to win them over].”
Given the strong brand loyalty that fans of the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger typically exhibit, these comments don’t come as much of a surprise. However, those that find themselves wanting a traditional, V8-powered, manual transmission-equipped, rear-wheel drive American performance car may soon cave, given the fact that only one will seemingly be available moving forward.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Mustang soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
The Dodge Challenger is not dissapearing. It will be an EV and Dodge will keep the ICE version as long as possible. Ford should produce an EV Mustang too (a real one, not the Mach-e which isn´t a Mustang)
Challenger is going away by the end of the year. No ICE replacement is in the works and the EV replacement is a few years away. It won’t sell as an EV, just like the Mach E isn’t selling.
Not that I’m a huge Mach-E fan Joe, I have a 2000 GT track car and 2020 GT350 and no plans to sell either. But here’s reality: The Mach-e has outsold all Mustangs combined for the later part of 2022. At 39,458 units it’s within less than 8,000 difference with all Mustangs combined for 2022. BTW, They would have sold more Mach-e if they could have produced more, which is what they are doing this year. The Mach-e also outsold the Camaro’s 24,000 or so units. You really think that a sports coupe with a cramped back seat has more mass appeal than a crossover? Look around next time you’re on the road.
A Mach-E is a 4 door sedan, not a sports car coupe. You can’t compare them. Literally the only thing in common is the name.
Hi Jeremy, Joe’s point was that the Mach E ie not selling. It is, very well. Sell every one they make, faster than regular Mustangs. Fact.
Very true!
Have you heard of Dodge “Last Call?”
Now if they would build my 2024 that was promised delivery on July 17. No explanation except what I read here.
An electric Mustang sports car will happen some day, but the ding dongs at Ford need to make a serious decision: Make the next Mustang a 2-seat real sports car, or stretch the wheelbase 3 inches and give it a useful rear seat. The first gen through the Fox platform had a rear seat that was useable if you we not over 6 ft, but now it is a joke, unless you are under 4 ft. I vote for knocking off 500 pounds, 15 inches in length and make the Mustang similar in size to the Z car or the Toyota/Subaru twins. Electric or V8. And bring back the lift-back for easy luggage storage.
They should do both IMHO. A shorter wheelbase two seater as a true American Roadster and the larger coupe to attract more of the mature set. A sedan would be nice too.
Keep producing the Mustamaro and Ford will lose FORD customers. Mustang lost me after the 2014. Lost its identity. Love my Retro 2023 Bronco. Thats a Ford !
The Challenger is sort of an odd duck since the last car came out in 1971 so it doesn’t have a history of evolving past that point but Mustang and Camaro do and its obvious when cars have other styling points to draw from slavishly following the past wears thin. The S-197 was slowing down in sales toward the model’s end after a decade run and GM had a hit with the 2010 Camaro, but the 2016 and later sales were abysmal and one of the biggest complaints by people outside the Camaro fanbase is that it is essentially the same care as 2010. Like a lot of cars, the current iteration (which is more akin to the SN95 to New Edge transition) is much better in person and the Mustmaro comments are beyond trite at this point. Anybody making the claim they are indistinguishable needs to put down the phone and lay off the onlyfans while in the bathroom because it’s having a detrimental effect on their vision.
I’ve never understood “Brand Zealots”! I buy what I like, and what I think is a good vehicle / deal – new or used. I currently own a 2021 Mach 1 Premium, a 2022 RAM Longhorn, and a 1998 Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet (was my late dad’s) and only 14k miles. I also recently owned a 2017 VW Touareg Wolfsburg Edition for 5 years. I also have my sights set on a new or lightly used European spec Touareg or possibly an Audi Q7.