Ford Boss: ‘We’re Investing a Lot in Mustang’

The pony car has a bright future, despite dwindling sales in America.

Even though its direct competition has all but disappeared in recent years, the Mustang isn’t doing so well in America. Ford sold only 23,551 cars in the first half of the year in the United States, down 14.2 percent compared to the first six months of 2024. But there’s more to the world than just America. Shocking, I know.

CEO Jim Farley revealed in a recent podcast with The Verge that more people are buying the pony car outside the U.S. than inside it. That gives Dearborn the confidence not only to keep the car on sale but also to secure its long-term future by pouring in money. Ford’s head honcho claims “everyone wants to do a burnout,” and the Mustang is the right tool for those seeking “a little slice of that America,” no matter where they are.

‘Actually, we’re doing really well with Mustang. I think we’re the only one left really, which we’re quite proud of. We’re investing a lot in Mustang. I think the thing people don’t get about Mustang is that it’s a global car. It’s the best-selling sports coupe in the world.’

In the same interview, Farley argued the car’s locked ECU hasn’t hindered sales. However, he admitted that his son didn’t buy the S650 generation because of its lack of tunability, opting instead for an older Mustang. It’s worth noting that the ECU was recently cracked by HP Tuners, opening the floodgates for the aftermarket scene to crank up power.

But what if Farley had other cars in mind when he said Ford is investing in the Mustang? Not the Mach-E electric crossover, but the rumored Mach 4 sedan. A little over a year ago, Automotive News reported that some dealers were shown a rendering of a swoopy four-door coupe. There was also talk of a Baja-like off-roader with a lifted suspension and chunky tires.

The report further mentioned an EcoBoost derivative co-developed with RTR, a model that debuted this past January at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. If the report got it right about that car, it wouldn’t be surprising if the four-door and Baja versions are also on the way. Since the Mach-E is labeled as a Mustang, all bets are off.

Beyond a lineup expansion, the true Mustang could even receive a hybrid powertrain. While that might sound sacrilegious, increasingly strict emissions regulations in Europe and elsewhere make it harder to sell pure ICE cars. Still, the gas-powered model isn’t going anywhere. Recent reports indicate it will remain on sale well into the 2030s, and Farley was once quoted as saying there will never be a Mustang EV. Well, not counting the Mach-E.

Rumors of a lineup expansion have been swirling for years, and with Farley continuing to drop hints about new additions, it might just happen in the foreseeable future. If the real Mustang sticks around, then there’s really no harm, no foul. Automakers leveraging the strength of an established brand to launch additional namesake models is good for business, even if purists strongly disapprove of the strategy.

Ford’s CEO Isn’t Sold on Apple CarPlay Ultra: ‘Don’t Like the Execution’

But Ford isn’t interested in limiting your digital in-car choices.

Photo by: Ford

By: Anthony Alaniz

Sep 30, at 2:30pm ET

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Ford was one of several automakers initially committed to integrating Apple CarPlay Ultra in its vehicles. It’s been over two years, and the technology hasn’t taken off as expected. Aston Martin was the first to officially adopt CarPlay Ultra earlier this year, but you likely won’t see it in a Ford Motor Company vehicle anytime soon until Apple makes some changes.  

FoMoCo CEO Jim Farley revealed on The Verge‘s Decoder podcast that the automaker is not impressed with Apple’s first iteration of CarPlay Ultra. He said:   

‘We don’t like the execution of Ultra in round one, but we’re very committed to Apple.’

Farley said the automaker isn’t interested in mucking up the in-car experience with proprietary software just to disrupt someone’s digital life for profit. The company is committed to giving customers a choice when it comes to connectivity, and that includes offering standard CarPlay.   

“We don’t think we should restrict that to make money off the customers. We don’t want it to be a hassle. We don’t think we can design an experience that’s going to displace your phone,” Farley said.   

The issue with integrating CarPlay Ultra lies with Apple, according to the executive. It’s unclear what Apple’s goal is with the technology and how much of the vehicle it wants to control, such as starting the car or limiting the speed, which services and technologies Ford already offers for its Pro customers.   

He said:  

‘I think Apple has to decide if it wants control of the entire experience inside a vehicle. If it does and it wants to follow Ultra with the Ultra 2 or whatever is next, then Ford will have to make a big decision.’

Fairly added that any future software solutions would have to go beyond just infotainment and integrate the vehicle’s advanced driver-assist systems.   

CarPlay Conundrum

Ford isn’t the first automaker to show apprehension with CarPlay Ultra. Earlier this year, reports revealed that several other early collaborators, including Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, decided against adding the upgrade. At the time, even Ford was coy about its plans, and recently, BMW went as far as to say that using Maps in CarPlay isn’t as popular as everyone thinks

Despite reservations from some, other automakers are eager to add the tech, such as Porsche. It still plans to offer CarPlay Ultra in future vehicles, although it didn’t say when. We will also see CarPlay Ultra in future Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis models.