The best selling sports car in the world in 2016 was the Ford Mustang, and sales are growing.

• Ford Mustang became the best-selling sports car in the world in 2016, according to IHS Markit global automotive registration data, including more than 15,000 orders in Europe
• Over 4,500 Mustang’s sold in U.K. since 2015 launch
• Regions including Europe and China fuel global Mustang sales growth in 2016 with global sales up 6 per cent over 2015
• Mustang is the best-selling sports car in European markets including France, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Finland and Greece

Ford Mustang has been the best-selling sports car in the U.S. during the past 50 years, and now thanks to growing popularity in Europe and elsewhere, the iconic pony car is the most popular sports car in the world, according to Ford analysis of IHS Markit new vehicle registration data in the sports car segment.

Mustang expanded its sales lead in 2016 as the world’s best-selling sports car, with more than 150,000 Mustangs sold, according to IHS Markit new vehicle registration data. Overall global sales increased 6 per cent over 2015, fuelled by non-U.S. market growth up 101 per cent with almost 45,000 Mustang vehicles sold outside the U.S.

In the first full year of sales in Europe, customers ordered 15,335 Mustangs across the region.* Mustang was the best-selling sports car in European markets including France, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Finland and Greece.

In the U.K., over 4,500 Mustangs have been sold to date, with over 3,250 of those in 2016 as the Mustang comfortably led the sales tables for sports cars over 250PS, following launch in late 2015.

“From the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, the Ford Mustang has topped the sports car sales charts in markets across Europe,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “European customers continue to play a significant role in the global success of Mustang. The iconic sports car’s popularity with drivers of all ages and backgrounds shows no sign of waning – we sold 3,600 Mustangs in the region during the first three months of 2017.”

Mustang’s ascension to best-selling sports car in the world in 2016 was driven largely by continued global rollout that saw big sales gains in markets including Germany and China, as well as the car’s introduction to smaller territories such as New Caledonia, Gibraltar and Bonaire.

Since launching in China in 2015, Mustang has become the best-selling sports car in the world’s biggest auto market. Mustang sales in 2016 were up 74 per cent over 2015, according to IHS Markit new vehicle registrations.

Mustang – with more than 8.4 million likes – is the most-liked vehicle on Facebook, and is now available in 140 countries across all continents other than Antarctica. The Ford Mustang in Europe is available with Ford’s 421 PS 5.0-litre V8 or 317 PS 2.3‑litre EcoBoost engines, and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

Ford recently introduced a new limited run special edition Ford Mustang model, with unique styling and premium specifications for customers in the U.K.

The Ford Mustang Shadow Edition is available with the 5.0-litre V8 engine, six-speed manual, in Race Red and Grabber Blue from £39,895. A unique bodystyling pack includes a black Pony emblem for the GT grille and exclusive black 19-inch Y‑spoke alloy wheels, in addition to a Shaker Pro audio system with SYNC 3 Navigation, climate controlled seats and reverse parking sensors, with optional black contrast roof.

IRELAND - The first New Mustang has been collected by it's new owner in Letterkenny, Ireland.

When Denis Ferry collected his new Ford Mustang recently from main Ford Dealer, Hegarty’s Auto Services in Letterkenny, he made a little bit of history. Dunfanaghy native, Denis, is the first Mustang owner in Ireland to own a right hand drive version of the iconic Ford Mustang.  

The Ford Mustang was launched in the US in 1964 and up until now, the car was only made in left-hand drive versions for the North American and special export markets. However, that all changed back in December 2013, when Ford announced that a specially developed ‘European’ version of Mustang would be sold in Europe.

Denis Ferry has long been a fan of Mustang and Ford performance cars in general so upon hearing about the plans for the launch of Mustang in Europe back in 2013, on the same day, he went along to his local Ford Dealer, Hegarty’s in Letterkenny, and placed the first order for Mustang in Ireland and, indeed, Europe.

“I can’t describe the feeling of getting behind the wheel of my very own Ford Mustang”, said Denis upon collecting his new ride. “I have always loved the look of Mustang cars and this latest version is one of the most beautiful ever. When I heard Mustang was coming to Ireland, I didn’t hesitate, I just had to have one – I am delighted to be the first Mustang customer in Ireland”.

Andrew Hegarty, from Hegarty’s Auto Services, said: “We wish Denis many years of happy and safe motoring in his new Mustang. With the help of Pat Hart from CAB Motors in Cork, we were delighted to supply Denis with the first Mustang in Ireland and we felt we had to mark this very important occasion so we gave Denis a framed certificate recognising him as the first Mustang customer in Ireland”.

Denis can not wait to get out on the open road with his new Mustang, a 2.3 litre EcoBoost petrol version: “For my first trip in the car, myself and my son are going off on a round-Ireland trip – we can’t wait…!”

New Mustang is available in 2.3 litre EcoBoost petrol 317PS or a V8 5.0 litre petrol 416PS.

Ford to debut the Mustang at the Moving Motor Show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015.

Ford will be out in force at Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show, with a host of new models including the much-anticipated new Mustang and Focus RS set to make an appearance on Thursday 25, June.

The all-new new Mustang is latest car to wear the legendary galloping horse badge and a convertible 2.3-litre EcoBoost-engined Mustang, with 317PS power output and 432Nm of torque, will make its Moving Motor Show debut, alongside the UK debut of the new Focus RS.

Over 1,300 UK orders have already been taken for the first Mustang available with right-hand drive, arriving in dealerships this autumn.  With the first year’s allocation sold out, new FordStore dealerships are now supplying Mustangs for delivery from April 2016.

While rally and stunt star Ken Block will drive the RS during the main Goodwood Festival of Speed days from Friday – Sunday, visitors to Thursday’s Moving Motor Show will be the first in the UK to get a look at the Blue Oval’s latest and lairiest hot hatch on the main Ford stand.

As well as the head-turning Ford Mustang, Moving Motor Show drivers will also experience the Focus ST TDCi estate, the Ford Fiesta Red Black Edition and gold Transit SportVan to celebrate its 50^th birthday later this year.

Ford’s new derivatives major on combining performance with outstanding fuel economy; the Focus ST TDCi will transport its occupants from 0-62mph in just 8.3 seconds but is still capable of 67 mpg on the combined cycle.

Also joining its stablemates is an eye-catching new version of the top-selling Fiesta. Under the bonnet, Fiesta Red Black features Ford’s multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with 140PS, bestowing it with more power-per-litre than a Bugatti Veyron.

Fiesta Red Black’s sporting credentials are underlined by the car’s striking exterior, which can be specified in black with a contrasting red roof and red detailing including the grille surround, or vice versa.

There will also be cause for celebration as Ford prepares to mark half a century of the Transit, and no expense has been spared with the creation of the Transit Custom SportVan. This one-off edition is finished in gold and sports a 2.2-litre 155PS diesel engine with an impressive 385Nm of torque; capable of shifting the heaviest of loads but still returns over 42mpg.

The Transit Custom SportVan will take to Goodwood Hill as part of a convoy of gold transits touring the country in a run up to the anniversary of its launch date on August 9.