Dubai: Ford Middle East launched the latest addition to its iconic Mustang range Saturday at the Dubai Autodrome.
The Mustang 2011, which is targeted at muscle car enthusiasts, will be on sale at a price target of Dh100,000 for the V6 version or Dh150,000 for the stronger V8 version, Theo Benson, regional product and marketing director of Ford Middle East, told Gulf News.
"The target groups for the Mustang are all ages, and we think it comes in a very affordable price range," he said.
Ford Middle East, through its distributor Al Tayer Motors, plans to sell "100 to 200 Mustangs more than the present sales level" in the coming year, Benson said.
The car needs to hold its ground among fierce competition in the so-called "pony car" sector, where the new Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger are serious rivals.
However, Ford claims that the V8 version of the new Mustang has the best-in-class fuel economy, which seems to be important even in a region with low fuel prices as the car delivers 412 hp and needs appropriate amounts of fuel to develop the power.
"The overall refinements to the Mustang are really brought to life by its new engine," said Hussain Murad, Ford Middle East's regional director for sales.
"The car benefits from better handling, better braking and more refinement, and now it's powered by the high-tech 5.0-liter V8 that Mustang enthusiasts and new customers alike are going to love."
Sale increase
In October, Ford reported a 31 per cent increase in sales in the GCC markets in the first nine months of the year.
Saudi Arabia was the best market, followed by the UAE and Kuwait, Ford's Middle East managing director Larry Prein told Gulf News.
Sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUVs and trucks led the growth, with sales up 27 per cent region-wide.
Passenger cars showed an increase of 34 per cent with Ford's latest launches, the new Fusion and Taurus, leading the charge.
In the UAE, the SUV Ford Explorer was the best-selling car, Prein said. Sales recorded a 10 per cent increase year to date.
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