Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) announced that Mustang was the best-selling sports car in the world last year.
Citing IHS Markit new vehicle registration data in the sports car segment, the automaker said Mustang is the most popular sports car in the world. It has received a positive response in international markets.
According to IHS Markit, Mustang was the best-selling sports car in 2016 with the sale of more than 150,000 units. Overall, global sales rose 6% compared to 2015, thanks to international market growth.
Ford said that it sold almost 45,000 Mustang vehicles outside the United States.
In 2015, Ford decided to launch its iconic Mustang sports car in global markets including China. The automaker saw a strong demand for its iconic car in Germany and China. It also brought the car to smaller nations such as New Caledonia, Gibraltar, and Bonaire last year.
Ford Mustang is Best-Selling Sports Car in China
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) started selling Mustang in China in 2015. The automaker claims that Mustang is now the best-selling sports car in China, the world’s biggest auto market. Sales in the country were up 74% in 2016 compared to a year ago, according to HIS Markit.
Ford is looking to bring Mustang in more countries in 2017. It is currently available in 140 countries across all continents other than Antarctica.
This year, the automaker plans to make the 2018 Mustang available in six new countries including Brazil, the Palau Islands, and the Ivory Coast. Three additional markets have yet to be announced.
“The legacy of Mustang continues to grow, and in places, it never reached before,” Ford Mustang Marketing Manager Mark Schaller said in a statement. “We continue to make it available in new markets, and drivers in those markets continue to respond with resounding approval.”
Meanwhile, Ford said that worldwide fans will see some improvements in the new Mustang models from next year. The automaker is thinking about a more athletic look highlighted by new front and rear design and the availability of improved performance features such as an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, MagneRide damping system, and new active valve performance exhaust system.
Shares of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) were trading up 0.35% on Tuesday. The stock is down over 5% for the year.