Should Ford consider bringing the Mustang to India?

sabret00the · 26th July 2008, 00:54

Mod Note: Our Mustang Report has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

I was playing Test Drive Unlimited a few minutes back and in the game I went to the Ford showroom to test drive the Ford Mustang when this very question struck in my mind...why not Ford get that car to India? Why not?

Ford is now a household brand in India and they are doing pretty well here. The have a well established production and assembly line here in India. I'am sure if production isnt viable enough then they have enough infrastructure here to go the CKD way atleast.

The market is now mature than ever and it's not that people dont buy cars worth Rs.9 lacs here...then what is stopping them from launching there most iconic car in India?

I personally think Ford's Mustang will create it's own class here in India as there is no other car like it being built here. Moreover, Ford will never have to try to sell their brand "Mustang" as people will anyways grab the car.

This link Ford Mustang 2009: Build & Price, See Packages & Incentives | Ford Vehicles

suggests that the starting range of the Mustang in the USA is around 8-9 lacs INR. So I think it's high time that Ford India thought well about bringing the Mustang to India....what do you folks think?

JayD · 26th July 2008, 01:00

It woul be great if they introduced the mustang here, but i don't think they make them in RHD form.

nishant_kingpin · 26th July 2008, 01:14

The word I would like to use here is going to be absolutely Delicious

. Can some birdie whisper in their ears...

spawnofsatan · 26th July 2008, 07:31

The only way they would do good is if they build them here and that my friend is never happening.

Would I buy a mustang in India? sure, if it was an older 60's/70's, the new ones are absolutely crappy (except the v8 shelby) te interiors are ugly too.

khan_sultan · 26th July 2008, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by spawnofsatan

...

Would I buy a mustang in India? sure, if it was an older 60's/70's, the new ones are absolutely crappy (except the v8 shelby) te interiors are ugly too.

Agree... If I manage to get hold of a decent 60's/70's model here in India, I would buy one right away. The new ones don't cut it...

Anyone knows of any mustangs for sale here in India.???

nickatnite · 26th July 2008, 12:15

I'm a fan of the Mustang as well and would be great if Indian buyers could own one. But at what price?. The very thought scares me!. But , there are many who can afford an astronomical price here, unlike in the West , where everyone buys cars on credit.Let the good times roll!.

sriramv.iyer · 26th July 2008, 13:32

Guys..
I agree with the view that the cult 70s' Mustangs were great - But, it is not true that the current Mustangs suck.

Whenever I travel, I used to rent different cars almost every week to get a taste of different cars - The first time I rented a Mustang, I kept it for 6 weeks till I returned to India. Mustang always manages put a smile on my face (and my friends') whenever we were inside or outside.

The seats are comfortable - low slung, all black/beige interiors with chrome AC dials and decent sound system. Btw, I usually switch off the music system to hear the roar of the Mustang.

I should say the roar has softened over the years (my experience with 2005, 2007, 2008 mustangs) - (or my ears getting bad

)

The only thing that beat the roar of the mustang (which I did not expect) was the exhaust notes of a group of Harleys that went past me!

I am not sure if Ford will launch Mustang in the near future (atleast 5 years), but, there is nothing wrong in requesting Ford to consider bringing it here.

To me, Ford => BIG SMILES for the driver (I am not talking of A.S.S or cost of spares or anything else here!)

PS:-
I have uploaded the pics of the two of the Ford cars I rented recently (Ford Taurus and Ford Mustang) - Btw, the guy in the car is not me! It was my colleague who owns a Camry but wanted a taste of Mustang's growl - His Smile says it all!

motorheadinc · 26th July 2008, 13:42

Mustang- The wild Horse.
Its as good as it comes.
The car is sure a head turner and makes me go crazy over it again and again

spawnofsatan · 26th July 2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Agree... If I manage to get hold of a decent 60's/70's model here in India, I would buy one right away. The new ones don't cut it...

Anyone knows of any mustangs for sale here in India.???

I have been looking for an older gen restorable mustang for a while too, if anyone is selling one please PM me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramv.iyer

Guys..
I agree with the view that the cult 70s' Mustangs were great - But, it is not true that the current Mustangs suck.

Whenever I travel, I used to rent different cars almost every week to get a taste of different cars - The first time I rented a Mustang, I kept it for 6 weeks till I returned to India. Mustang always manages put a smile on my face (and my friends') whenever we were inside or outside.

Wow you must be easily pleased

snaronikar · 26th July 2008, 13:51

It they plan to bring it, then it would be a CBU. Ford's Chennai facility cannot support the manufacturing of this car here. Yes, the timing might be right this time unlike Mondeo.

gt_mustang · 26th July 2008, 14:11

the mustang wouldnt be practical in india
the concept of a coupe dosent really sell well in india
the zen carbon was a failure!!!!
i dont beleive the mustand would do as well as the audi a4 even

aaggoswami · 26th July 2008, 14:33

No, Ford should not consider bringing Mustang to India.
There are more than a few reasons for this.

1)
Ford A.S. & S. Ford need to improve this. The very existence of a company can be decided by this. Fiat lost here. Despite Palio being a good product, they mainly lost in this area. Palio still today remains as the best built hatch.

2)
Fuel Quality and Quantity ( FQAQ ). As far as my reading is concerened, most of all petrol bunks en up messisng up with FQAQ. The Mustang wont be able to tolerate this. If they detune the engine, the charm is lost.

3)
Roads. Well, we all know about the quality of roads we have.

4)
Discipline of road users. Suppose that this car gets scratched, then it will be emotionally very bad. And as we know, keeping a car scratchless like running a car without ever filling in fuel, so it will get damaged.

Mustang is a great car, a car that will never try to show that the owner is having a middle age crises. I respect this car, but for present automotive scenario and automotive related scenario, this car should not come to India.

safari_lover · 26th July 2008, 16:01

This the same question I have been asking myself since my first visit to the States a month ago. This vehicle would surely be a hit.

danlalan · 26th July 2008, 16:26

I really doubt its the right time for the mustang here in india.

Ford isnt really doing well here in india atleast with its top segment cars. So Before even thinking of getting the Mustang down here in any (cbu etc) form, they need to get it right with the new Mondeo.

I would however love to see the the focus Rs here.

RedMM340 · 26th July 2008, 20:02

This idea is totally nuts.

Did you hear that Ford lost $8.67 Billion last quarter? Yes BILLION.

Ford is changing its North American product mix into smaller more fuel efficient cars in order to survive as an automaker. In this scenario the venerable Mustang may get cut altogether.

View Poll Results: Should Ford bring the Mustang to India?
Yes, this is the best time to launch the Mustang here.	50	80.65%
No, I dont it would be a hit here in India.	10	16.13%
Others - Please explain your views in the thread.	2	3.23%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

26th July 2008, 00:54	#1
sabret00the BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: YYC \| BLR \| CCU Posts: 692 Thanked: 55 Times View My Garage	Should Ford consider bringing the Mustang to India? Mod Note: Our Mustang Report has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks! I was playing Test Drive Unlimited a few minutes back and in the game I went to the Ford showroom to test drive the Ford Mustang when this very question struck in my mind...why not Ford get that car to India? Why not? Ford is now a household brand in India and they are doing pretty well here. The have a well established production and assembly line here in India. I'am sure if production isnt viable enough then they have enough infrastructure here to go the CKD way atleast. The market is now mature than ever and it's not that people dont buy cars worth Rs.9 lacs here...then what is stopping them from launching there most iconic car in India? I personally think Ford's Mustang will create it's own class here in India as there is no other car like it being built here. Moreover, Ford will never have to try to sell their brand "Mustang" as people will anyways grab the car. This link Ford Mustang 2009: Build & Price, See Packages & Incentives \| Ford Vehicles suggests that the starting range of the Mustang in the USA is around 8-9 lacs INR. So I think it's high time that Ford India thought well about bringing the Mustang to India....what do you folks think? Last edited by GTO : 18th August 2016 at 16:31. Reason: Link to review :)
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 01:00	#2
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,236 Thanked: 2,568 Times View My Garage	It woul be great if they introduced the mustang here, but i don't think they make them in RHD form.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 01:14	#3
nishant_kingpin BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 335 Thanked: 4 Times	The word I would like to use here is going to be absolutely Delicious . Can some birdie whisper in their ears...
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 07:31	#4
spawnofsatan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los angeles/Mumbai Posts: 708 Thanked: 93 Times View My Garage	The only way they would do good is if they build them here and that my friend is never happening. Would I buy a mustang in India? sure, if it was an older 60's/70's, the new ones are absolutely crappy (except the v8 shelby) te interiors are ugly too.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 12:15	#6
nickatnite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC/MAA Posts: 1,430 Thanked: 603 Times	I'm a fan of the Mustang as well and would be great if Indian buyers could own one. But at what price?. The very thought scares me!. But , there are many who can afford an astronomical price here, unlike in the West , where everyone buys cars on credit.Let the good times roll!.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 13:32	#7
sriramv.iyer BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 845 Thanked: 739 Times	Mustang Rocks Guys.. I agree with the view that the cult 70s' Mustangs were great - But, it is not true that the current Mustangs suck. Whenever I travel, I used to rent different cars almost every week to get a taste of different cars - The first time I rented a Mustang, I kept it for 6 weeks till I returned to India. Mustang always manages put a smile on my face (and my friends') whenever we were inside or outside. The seats are comfortable - low slung, all black/beige interiors with chrome AC dials and decent sound system. Btw, I usually switch off the music system to hear the roar of the Mustang. I should say the roar has softened over the years (my experience with 2005, 2007, 2008 mustangs) - (or my ears getting bad ) The only thing that beat the roar of the mustang (which I did not expect) was the exhaust notes of a group of Harleys that went past me! I am not sure if Ford will launch Mustang in the near future (atleast 5 years), but, there is nothing wrong in requesting Ford to consider bringing it here. To me, Ford => BIG SMILES for the driver (I am not talking of A.S.S or cost of spares or anything else here!) PS:- I have uploaded the pics of the two of the Ford cars I rented recently (Ford Taurus and Ford Mustang) - Btw, the guy in the car is not me! It was my colleague who owns a Camry but wanted a taste of Mustang's growl - His Smile says it all! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 13:42	#8
motorheadinc BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: University of Bath Posts: 297 Thanked: Once	Mustang- The wild Horse. Its as good as it comes. The car is sure a head turner and makes me go crazy over it again and again
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 13:51	#10
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	It they plan to bring it, then it would be a CBU. Ford's Chennai facility cannot support the manufacturing of this car here. Yes, the timing might be right this time unlike Mondeo.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 14:11	#11
gt_mustang BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hyd Posts: 247 Thanked: 5 Times	the mustang wouldnt be practical in india the concept of a coupe dosent really sell well in india the zen carbon was a failure!!!! i dont beleive the mustand would do as well as the audi a4 even
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 14:33	#12
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	No, Ford should not consider bringing Mustang to India. There are more than a few reasons for this. 1) Ford A.S. & S. Ford need to improve this. The very existence of a company can be decided by this. Fiat lost here. Despite Palio being a good product, they mainly lost in this area. Palio still today remains as the best built hatch. 2) Fuel Quality and Quantity ( FQAQ ). As far as my reading is concerened, most of all petrol bunks en up messisng up with FQAQ. The Mustang wont be able to tolerate this. If they detune the engine, the charm is lost. 3) Roads. Well, we all know about the quality of roads we have. 4) Discipline of road users. Suppose that this car gets scratched, then it will be emotionally very bad. And as we know, keeping a car scratchless like running a car without ever filling in fuel, so it will get damaged. Mustang is a great car, a car that will never try to show that the owner is having a middle age crises. I respect this car, but for present automotive scenario and automotive related scenario, this car should not come to India.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 16:01	#13
safari_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bengaluru / Bagdal Posts: 1,135 Thanked: 685 Times	This the same question I have been asking myself since my first visit to the States a month ago. This vehicle would surely be a hit.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 16:26	#14
danlalan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mumbai,JUHU Posts: 1,636 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	I really doubt its the right time for the mustang here in india. Ford isnt really doing well here in india atleast with its top segment cars. So Before even thinking of getting the Mustang down here in any (cbu etc) form, they need to get it right with the new Mondeo. I would however love to see the the focus Rs here.
	() Thanks

26th July 2008, 20:02	#15
RedMM340 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the move Posts: 457 Thanked: 34 Times	This idea is totally nuts. Did you hear that Ford lost $8.67 Billion last quarter? Yes BILLION. Ford is changing its North American product mix into smaller more fuel efficient cars in order to survive as an automaker. In this scenario the venerable Mustang may get cut altogether.
	() Thanks