Good thing or bad thing? "Next Ford Mustang to Be Desgined Globally"
 

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/inte...tter%2BTraffic

Sorry for the typo!

I'm on the fence about it. On the one hand, the quasi-retro design movement in America is interesting, but somehow smacks of, "I give up." The Mustang has always been in like a lion and out like a lamb, in my opinion. The classic Mustang nose is aggressive and purposeful - even menacing, but the tail has always looked like it has its tail between its legs. It's too submissive and has never fit the character of the car as a whole.

America is the melting pot, so I suppose an international design effort might speak to Americana in that way. I'm not 100% opposed to it, even if it is a radical departure from the icon we know and love, but it had better have staying power in terms of design, and the modern braking and handling to go with it. "Grunt" goes without saying.

This smells somewhat of the Probe fiasco. However, this isn't 25 years ago and a global car is probably going to be a better drivers car than a strictly US car would be.

Which will, of course, piss off the diehard Mustang fans who want a solid rear axle and a big V8.

Just seems like the wrong model to do this with. But it probably has the best makerting potential as an iconic American automobile.

It's Fords #1 product brand name and a huge marketing tool that sells itself. It's a smart thing to do. What would be even smarter is to follow Honda's product idea in the Accord. Build a USA version and a rest of the world version.