In a changing landscape for muscle cars, Ford Motor is poised to capitalize on the allure of the iconic Ford Mustang, positioning it as the final American muscle car to offer the thunderous power of a traditional V8 engine. With the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger - its nearest American competitors - ending production in December, Ford sees a chance to boost Mustang sales and cater to the generations of performance enthusiasts who have always been drawn to these exceptional vehicles.

The departure of these rivals from the market is driven by evolving consumer demands favoring vehicles with increased fuel efficiency, as well as the emergence of all-electric cars with unparalleled acceleration capabilities. As General Motors halted the production of the Chevrolet Camaro and Stellantis concluded the Dodge Challenger V8, Ford remains optimistic about the Mustang's future.

Jeff Marentic, the general manager of Ford Blue products, expressed excitement about the continued availability of the Mustang, stating, "For people who are looking for a true American sports car, it's available to them. We're looking and talking about the future of Mustang, and how far we can grow it."

Marentic refrained from disclosing specific sales expectations but highlighted the introduction of a new V8 model for the seventh-generation Mustang called the Dark Horse. Both the Dark Horse and Mustang GT boast a 5.0-liter V8 engine, with the former generating up to 500 horsepower and 418 foot-pounds of torque. Additionally, Ford plans to release a Mustang GTD in 2025, equipped with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine and expected to deliver over 800 horsepower.

Ford's ability to continue offering V8 models is credited to their investment in efficiency improvements and early adoption of smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder engines. These four-cylinder engines have gained popularity, constituting approximately 48% of domestic Mustang sales. Ford has also widened its Mustang lineup by introducing the electric Mustang Mach-E crossover, which, while sharing the name, differs significantly from its two-door coupe counterpart.

The seventh-generation Mustang, unveiled in September, has begun shipping outside of North America and is expected to be available in 85 markets worldwide, excluding Antarctica. International sales have played a crucial role in sustaining Mustang production, as domestic demand for two-door sports cars has declined. While Mustang sales in the United States dropped from over 122,000 units in 2015 to fewer than 49,000 units last year, global sales since 2015 have totaled over 235,000 registered vehicles.

Ford reports that the top international markets for the Mustang are Canada, Australia, and Europe, with a strong emotional connection to the vehicle resonating among customers. Marentic expressed pride in the prominence of V8 engines within the Mustang brand, particularly in Europe, where they define Ford's identity beyond the United States.

Although Marentic did not delve into future plans for the Mustang, he did not comment on rumors of a canceled hybrid version or the possibility of an all-electric edition for the two-door sports car.

As the Mustang celebrates its 60th anniversary on April 17, Ford remains committed to nurturing and expanding its legacy, catering to enthusiasts globally while preserving the V8-powered exhilaration that has captivated generations of car lovers.