CLOSE-KNIT TEAM LISTENS TO, IMPLEMENTS CUSTOMER INPUT IN CREATING 2010 MUSTANG

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• Continuity, stability and the willingness to listen to and implement Mustang customer feedback help keep the pony car on top
• Key members who worked on the last major Mustang redesign in 2005 also contributed to the 2010 model
• The 2010 Mustang will be in dealer showrooms this spring with a starting price of $20,995

DEARBORN, Mich., April 16, 2009 – No doubt, people have a special connection to the Ford Mustang. Nine million sold since the iconic muscle car’s introduction in 1964, including the past 22 years as the best seller in its segment, are testament to Mustang’s success and the passion it engenders.

But what about the people who design, engineer and build Mustang? Is it just another job to them?

Hardly.

“Mustang is a special car, and it requires a special group of people to design, engineer and manufacture Mustang,” said David Pericak, Mustang chief nameplate engineer. “We’re fortunate to have a strong core group of talented people who understand what Mustang is and what it takes to produce this world-class car.”

Continuity and passion are two of the linchpins of the ongoing success of Mustang. For all involved, creating Mustang literally is a dream job. Key members of the team who worked on the last major upgrade, which was the 2005 model, also contributed to the 2010 edition.

“The experience of the team is a huge benefit to us,” said Keith Knudsen, supervisor, Mustang vehicle architecture. “Not only do we have better relationships that come from working together over the long term, we’ve all been part of the program long enough to hear the customer feedback as a group, understand concerns and agree where we wanted to make improvements.”

One customer-driven improvement for the new Mustang is moving the windshield washer nozzles off the hood and into spot recessed in the cowl. This seemingly minor change brings about several benefits, including better aerodynamics, less wind noise, a cleaner appearance, no washer fluid on the hood, and, perhaps most important, the smooth surface allows customers to easily customize the hood with racing stripes.

“Overall, it shows great attention to a small detail, and that’s indicative of many parts and systems on the 2010 Mustang,” said Tom Barnes, vehicle engineering manager. “Together, they all make a big difference.”

A host of other customer-generated improvements can be found on the 2010 Mustang, including:

• Increased horsepower on the V-8 models through a cold-air induction system
• Bigger wheels (19-inch option) and tires (245 mm)
• Moved antenna to rear, improving appearance, aerodynamics and wind noise
• Improved interior craftsmanship
• Reduced interior noise
• More usable interior stowage, including larger door pockets and seat back map pockets, along with covered cup holders
• Interior trunk release
• Electronic automatic temperature control
• Steering wheel audio controls
• Automatic headlamps
• Rear-vision camera
• Outside temperature indicator
• Sequential rear turn signals
• Flipping the tachometer and speedometer so the left hand on the steering wheel doesn’t block the tachometer
• Flush design of the console bin so the elbow doesn’t hit it while shifting
• Softened edges on the side of the center stack and instrument panel to make it a friendlier contact point for drivers with long legs
• Improved execution of the console’s rear edge for improved rear passenger knee and leg space

Here’s a closer look at some of the key customer-driven improvements on the 2010 Mustang and how they were executed:

More-refined interior: The foundation of the 2010 Mustang’s world-class interior is a new, one-piece soft instrument panel exquisitely crafted in seamless TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) skin, fully encompassing textured or genuine aluminum-finish panels. Extending the soft skin and foam around the center stack was critical not only for better appearance and craftsmanship, but also to provide a softer, more comfortable rest for the driver’s leg.

“Gaps between parts – the chrome-ringed air registers, for example, are accurate to within fractions of millimeters,” said Senior Designer Robert Gelardi. “This attention to detail is the bedrock of the new interior and what sets Mustang apart from the competition. Our goal was a product that goes beyond perceived quality to offer a premium experience. We were absolute perfectionists about the selection of materials and executing every detail. We never stopped at, ‘good enough.’ We only stopped at ‘right.’”

Attention to detail seen everywhere – even the trunk release
The interior design team worked diligently on every detail. Take, for example, the buttons for traction control and the interior trunk release, which was one of several customer-driven enhancements to the 2010 Mustang. The Mustang team wasn’t satisfied with simply adding this feature and moving on. Instead, the team made it special as both graphics on the buttons show an actual Mustang instead of a generic car symbol.

The shape of the IP finish panels mirrors the angle of the tail lamps and allows the navigation screen to be placed higher and closer to the driver. The Mustang pony now is a genuine aluminum badge in the center of the steering wheel featuring real aluminum spokes with audio controls in premium models. “Everything looks crafted, not molded,” Gelardi said. “People will feel special in this car.”

Steven McCarley, president of the Mustang Club of America, was fortunate enough to have driven the new Mustang before its reveal and came away impressed.

“They’ve definitely improved the seating and the material – it’s stronger, firmer and better overall,” said McCarley, noting one of the requests his group wanted for the 2010 model. “The front end is much more aggressive and the placement of the controls is more user-friendly.”

Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler System: This industry-exclusive feature has an integrated spring-loaded flapper door that allows customers to simply insert the fuel nozzle into the tank to fill up – no screw cap required. Easy Fuel automatically seals after the fuel nozzle is removed, emitting fewer evaporative emissions into the environment.

Improved handling: Many of the enhancements from the successful Mustang Bullitt and Ford Racing vehicles are carried through the full 2010 Mustang lineup, creating a nimbler, more-responsive Mustang. Standard on all models is a three-link rear suspension with a panhard bar. AdvanceTrac®, new for 2010, traction control and anti-lock brakes also are standard.

AdvanceTrac can be run on or off with the V-6. In the GT, AdvanceTrac, can be run in on, off or Sport mode, which allows drivers to push it more while still retaining control.

“We adjusted the springs, stabilizer bars and shocks to better balance the ride, steering and handling for all models, which results in a more engaging driving experience,” said Barnes. “The 2010 Mustang feels more controlled for steering and handling, yet retains a good ride balance.”

Tires are increased by an inch across the Mustang line, with 17-inch tires standard on the V-6 and 18-inch tires standard on the V-8. A 19-inch Pirelli Summer tire is late available as an option for those seeking higher performance. The proven chassis from the Bullitt series serves as the base for the GT. A tower-to-tower brace pioneered on the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis to improve cornering for those selecting the 19-inch tire.

Aerodynamics were honed to ensure that both the aerodynamic drag and lift balance were improved for better overall efficiency. The drag coefficient, which measures the ability of the Mustang to slip through the air, has been reduced by 4 percent in the V-6 models and 7 percent in the GT models. The front aerodynamic lift also has been reduced by 37 percent for V-6 models and 23 percent for GT models, significantly improving steering feedback and driver confidence at higher speeds. Improved aerodynamics also contribute to fuel efficiency, with the V-6 getting an unsurpassed 26 mpg highway.

For some team members, the passion for Mustang began almost at birth – literally.

Gelardi’s ride home from the hospital after he was born came in his mother’s 1969 Champagne Gold Mustang coupe. From there a love of automobiles, especially Mustang, blossomed.

“It’s pretty amazing that the first time I ever rode in a car it was a Mustang and now I’m part of the team that helped create the 2010 Mustang,” said Gelardi, who worked on the 2005 model as well before leading interior, exterior and wheel designs for the 2010 edition. “Working on Mustang is an honor, which is exactly how everyone else on the team feels.”