The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car’s unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that’s made it America’s favorite pony car for 45 years. Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.

Structurally Strong
The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.

The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.

The front structure’s crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang’s front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to help protect occupants.

Technologically Advanced
State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2010 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC®, with new features 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes Beltminder® and the Personal Safety System™ – a system that includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Beltminder.

Sales Leader
Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with the new 2010 model driving showroom traffic. In April, Mustang had nearly a 40 percent share of the retail sports car segment.

QUOTES:

“The Mustang offers top safety ratings that, like its design and performance, other sports cars cannot match.” – Sue Cischke, Ford Group Vice President of Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

“We’ve made many upgrades to the new Mustang that contributes not only to the car’s safety, but also to its driving enjoyment thanks to a stiffer structure. – Steve Kozak, Ford Chief Engineer for Safety Systems

“Interest in the fast, fun and affordable Mustang remains outstanding. The feedback from our dealers and customers is that we’ve taken the new 2010 Mustang to a new level of excellence.” – Steve Ling, Ford Car Marketing Manager

From the time of its introduction at the World’s Fair in New York four and a half decades ago, the iconic pony car has appeared in more than 500 movies and hundreds of television programs.

Ever since 1964 when the Mustang appeared in the Bond film Goldfinger, filmmakers have often used the Mustang to symbolize the quintessential American cool. In the 1968 film Bullitt, Steve McQueen played a hardened police detective chasing down killers in a 1968 Mustang GT390.

But the Mustang can also be aspirational. In the 2007 film The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, Freeman’s character is dying and lists “Drive a Shelby Mustang” as one of the things he longs to do before he kicks the proverbial bucket.

Here are just a few of the Mustang’s memorable moments on the silver screen:

Goldfinger (1964) – This Bond film gets high Mustang marks for being the first movie to show off Ford’s new sporty car, a white 1964½ convertible driven by a beautiful woman assassin. After a brief chase in the Swiss Alps, Sean Connery in his Aston Marin DB5 borrows a trick from a chariot racer in Ben Hur to shred the Mustang’s tires and its rocker panel.

Bullitt (1968) – Steve McQueen is the hardened police detective who drives a 1968 Mustang GT390 in a nine-minute, 42-second car chase against killers in a black Dodge charger through the hilly streets in and around San Francisco.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971) – As James Bond, Sean Connery eludes police pursuit in a red 1971 Mustang Mach I fastback on two wheels to squeeze down a narrow alley in downtown Las Vegas. The car tilts up on the passenger side wheels entering the alley and exits the alley on the driver’s side wheels, a pretty neat trick.

Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) – For slam-bang action, it’s hard to beat this B-movie about an insurance-man-turned-car-thief forced to steal 48 cars which have been given women’s names to foil eavesdroppers. The second half of the movie is a 40-minute car chase that destroys 93 cars, leaving the getaway vehicle, an orange 1973 Mustang Mach I, much worse for wear.

Bull Durham (1988) – Kevin Costner is the fading ballplayer in this sports comedy love triangle with Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Since Costner’s character once tasted glory for a brief time in the major league’s “show,” it’s only fitting that he picked up a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 convertible along the way.

True Crime (1999) – Clint Eastwood plays a reporter with a messy personal life who gets one more chance to get it right after something doesn’t add up in the case of a Death Row inmate facing imminent execution. His car matches the man – a 1983 Mustang convertible with more than a few miles on it.

Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) – In this remake of the earlier film, retired car thief Nicolas Cage has to boost 50 cars in 24 hours to save his kid brother from killers. The ultimate prize is Eleanor, a silver and black 1967 Shelby GT500 styled by car builder Chip Foose.

The Princess Diaries (2001) – Anne Hathaway stars as Mia, an awkward 15-year-old who learns that she’s actually a princess by her royal grandmother, played by Julie Andrews. Initially, all Mia wants to do is stay unnoticed at school and get her 1966 Mustang fixed up in time for her 16th birthday.

Hollywood Homicide (2002) – Josh Hartnett and Harrison Ford star as detectives in this action “dramedy.” Their car of choice? A 2003 silver Saleen S281 supercharged Mustang.

Cinderella Story (2004) – An unpopular girl, played by Hillary Duff, is exploited by her wicked stepmother. She loses her cell phone instead of a glass slipper at the ball, but she gains a prince. Her car of choice: a sky blue 1965 Mustang convertible.

I Am Legend (2007) – Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City, played by Will Smith, struggles valiantly to find a cure. Smith’s co-star in the movie? A red and white 2007 Shelby Mustang.

Quotes
“Mustang has had the most roles of any Ford vehicle, and there are no competing cars that come close. From a product placement perspective, Mustang is the gift that keeps giving and giving.” - Bob Witter, of Ford Global Brand Entertainment (FGBE)

“The Mustang set off a revolution almost to the level of the Model T in terms of making a cool sports car affordable to the average person. When you were driving a Mustang, you were special. You were noticed. You stood out. And today the Mustang delivers the same attributes.” - Bob Witter, of Ford Global Brand Entertainment (FGBE)

For the pony car’s 45th anniversary celebration in Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala, on April 17-21, a host of events are planned, including a display of hot lapping by four-time Mustang champion and SPEED TV personality Tommy Kendall and other professional racers around the park in Mustang FR500S race cars. And world champion drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr., will be on hand all weekend to give demonstrations and rides.

But at the heart of the celebrations will be the stories of several original owners who will be displaying their Mustangs and sharing their experiences with their iconic pony cars. For example:

• Phil Florio, one of nine original owners, bought a 1964½ Wimbledon White Ford Mustang. He turns 71 in May, and credits the iconic Mustang with keeping him young at heart.
• Laki Malamatenio, who owns a 1964½ Poppy Red Mustang 289 that he refers to affectionately as “Poppy”, says that his car is an integral part of the fabric of his life, having used it to drive to his wedding and to secure the loan to buy his first house.
• Fred Glazier’s Rangoon Red Mustang coupe not only brings back poignant memories, but he says his love of working on his car inspired him to leave his career as a pharmaceutical representative and follow his passion of restoring antique cars.
• Kathy Miller, of Boardman, Ohio, received her 1964½ Prairie Bronze Mustang coupe as a high school graduation present from her mom and dad, and years later she and her husband used the car on their wedding day. She laughed that when her son restored the Mustang five years ago, there was still rice in the dashboard.
• For Edgar “Alex” Alexander, his black 1964½ Mustang convertible was an impulse purchase he never once second-guessed, and says that over the years the car went from a means of transportation to a family treasure.

Quotes

“I used to drive the car in New York in the middle of winter, and when I got home I’d get blue hands trying to wash the snow and salt off of it in the freezing cold weather. I loved the car, and knew when I bought it that I was going to keep it for as long as I possibly could.” - Phil Florio, original Mustang owner, 1964½ Wimbledon White Ford Mustang

“‘Poppy’ took me to Las Vegas to get married. She took me to the hospital when both of my children were born, and she’s taken the whole family on vacation. My whole life flashes before my eyes when I get into that car. We wanted to buy a house, but we didn’t have enough money for a down payment. The car was paid off, so I took out a home loan using ‘Poppy’ as collateral.” - Laki Malamatenio, original Mustang owner, 1964½ Poppy Red Mustang 289

“I dated my wife in it. We took it on our honeymoon, and we brought both of our children home from the hospital in it. We are emotionally attached to this car, and I always tell me kids, ‘When I die, you better not sell it, or I’ll come back to haunt you. I’ve specialized in the restoration of Mustangs since 1979. A few years ago, I started working on my car, and today it looks like it did when I first bought it.” - Fred Glazier, original Mustang owner, 1964 ½ Rangoon Red Mustang coupe

“My first wife and I needed a car, and we had no conception of what we wanted. There was a Mustang convertible on the lot, and my wife fell in love with it so we just ordered it. We would go to the store or to the movies, and when we came out there would be a half dozen people or more looking at the car. It was really cool. At the beginning it was a car. Now, it’s a treasure.” - Edgar “Alex” Alexander, original Mustang owner, 1964½ black Mustang convertible

As part of the 45th anniversary celebration and in conjunction with the launch of the 2010 Ford Mustang launch, consumers have the chance to awaken their inner Mustang side and live out their ultimate Mustang experience.

How can consumers get a chance to turn their once-in-a-lifetime dream into exciting reality? By going to Ford’s “The ‘Unleashed” site at www.the2010Mustang.com and answering the question “If you could unleash your Mustang side, how would you do it?” in 250 words or less.

Only six dream experiences will be unleashed and the written submissions will be judged based on creativity, uniqueness and execution of idea, with winning submissions being selected every few weeks. The contest is open until August 15, 2009.

Quotes

“During its 45 years, Mustang has touched people’s lives in so many different ways, and we’ve enjoyed hearing those stories leading up to the introduction of the new 2010 Mustang. Now, it’s time to look forward and create new stories to fill the next chapter in the history book of America’s favorite muscle car.” - Allison Revier, Ford Mustang Brand Manager

On top of the countless successes accomplished in a Mustang, Ford Racer Vaughan Gittin Jr. will embark on a once in a lifetime opportunity – drifting a 500-horsepower 2010 Ford Mustang in Japan.

From March 3-9, 2009 follow Gittin’s adventure from Oasaka to Tokyo to Ebisu, where he will experience tracks such as the Bihoku Highland Circuit and the YZ circuit with “Drift King”, Keiichi Tsuchiya and many other local enthusiasts.

To prepare for his trip the Detroit Ford Racing crew equipped his Mustang with an impressive list of parts, which include a Ford Racing supercharger and intercooler, an Exedy clutch, a Ford Racing FR3 suspension pack, a Ford Racing brake kit, HRE wheels, a K&N air filter, Bosch Performance spark plugs, Falken Tires.

For the duration of his trip you can follow his updates on the Ford Mustang Twitter account, www.twitter.com/fordmustang - where Gittin will be guest posting. Additional information on his adventure can be found here:

Official website - www.VaughnGittin.com
MySpace - www.Myspace.com/VaughnGittin
YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/vgittin
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=674406379

Quotes

“I’m insanely excited for this trip to Japan. Not only am I thrilled to drift places I have only dreamed of, but also to give others the opportunity to experience why I love the Mustang so much. It is a true honor to have this chance to be able to experience the home of drifting in a Ford Mustang.”
- Vaughn Gittin Jr.

After years of delivering power to two of Ford Motor Company’s iconic products, the Mustang and Ford F-150, Romeo Engine Plant has reached a historic milestone – the production of its 10 millionth engine.

The 10 millionth engine, a 4.6 liter 3-valve V-8, will be shipped to AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich., to be installed in a new 2010 Mustang GT.

• Romeo Engine Plant, produces V-8 engines for Mustang, Shelby GT500, Ford F-150, Explorer, E-Series van, Crown Victoria, and the Mercury Grand Marquis.
• Plant produces 140 engines an hour on its high-volume line, with hourly and salaried teams focusing on continuous improvement and quality basics.
• In 2008, engines built at Romeo generated a combined 88.9 million horsepower, 2,750 times the combined horsepower of this year’s starting field at Daytona.

Quotes:

“Romeo Engine’s products are powering two of Ford’s iconic vehicles and we focus on quality every minute of every day. We deal with a great deal of complexity on our lines, and we’ve had very strong quality performance over a very long period of time.”
- Shaun Whitehead, Plant Manager, Romeo Engine Plant

“We have more than 600 purchase parts from more than 150 suppliers so we deal with a large amount of intricate processes and parts on our line. We have 11 different models on the line that we handle for seven different assembly plant customers – as well as the Ford Customer Service Division.”
- Shaun Whitehead, Plant Manager, Romeo Engine Plant

“Quality really is our number one priority. Our Quality Operating System focuses on continuous improvement and an adherence to quality basics.”
- Phil Kloss, Quality Manager, Romeo Engine Plant

“We have hundreds of eyes throughout our machining and assembly processes. Employees on the line constantly bring attention to changes in feel, appearance or test performance – even when unrelated to the task at hand.”
- Phil Kloss, Quality Manager, Ford Romeo Engine Plant

“This is a huge accomplishment for our plant. We started this plant with a team concept that was really new for Ford when they converted from the tractor plant. Over the years, we’ve stayed consistent in our team approach, with both hourly and salaried employees working together. We strive to be the best engine builders in the world, and we’d like to build another 10 million.”
- Randy Newsom, UAW Local 400 Chairman at Romeo Engine

Links:

News Release: FORD’S ROMEO ENGINE PLANT PRODUCES 10 MILLIONTH ENGINE, CONTINUES TO POWER FORD ICONS

Driver Dean Martin and Mustang FR500C blister through qualifying lap.

A Mustang FR500C helped Martin take the pole and claim the top spot for the season-opening Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series at the Daytona International Speedway on Friday January 23, 2009. Martin credits the Mustang’s handing and performance in allowing him to break the one-lap, two-minute mark in qualifying with a time of 1:59.555 (107.198 mph).

Martin will co-drive the No. 59 Mustang FR500C with Ken Wilden during the race, on a track that tends to favor Ford’s pony car. The Ford teams will be defending two team championships and a manufacturers’ championship earned in 2008, when the KONI series kicks off. Mustang FR500C cars make up 40 percent of the GS field

Quotes

“Getting the pole here in Daytona was our first goal, and of course winning the race tomorrow is our ultimate goal. Our lap out there today was magic. The way our Mustang handled and performed was just perfect. We’ve worked really hard during the off-season and we want to show everybody that we’re the best. I think our team can carry today’s success over into tomorrow’s race.”
- Dean Martin, Driver, No. 59 Mustang FR500C

“A Mustang should definitely win and be on the podium tomorrow. “I’ll be honest; I was surprised that we went as fast as we did. I never expected to go that fast. We had been fighting the car all day and it wasn’t so good, but I told the team not to mess with anything and to see what happens. I figured if I ran a two-minute flat lap, we’d be okay. So when I came by the timing light and it came up as a 1:59.60, I just went, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m just going to come in right now.’ I was so excited and just really happy for our team.”
- Dean Martin, Driver, No. 59 Mustang FR500C

“We have some of the most credible and highly regarded handling cars in the world on the track and the Mustang has been able to demonstrate its superiority and accomplishment taking on the best of Porsche and BMW.”
- Jamie Allison, Manager Ford Performance Group

Follow Ford Racing on the web:

• http://fordracing.com
• http://twitter.com/FordRacing_ITO
• http://www.myspace.com/fordracinginsidetheoval
• http://www.youtube.com/user/FordRacingInsideOval
• http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Ford-Racing/44789073819
• http://flickr.com/photos/34341700@N04

The Rolex 24 marks the start of another racing season. As the first race of the year, the Rolex draws the largest media turnout for a sports car event of the year and the Rolex 24’s profile in sports car racing is surpassed only by the 24 Hours of LeMans.

Ford Racing has 19 cars and 48 drivers in competition on the opening weekend of the Grand-Am season. Seven cars will compete in the DP class in the Rolex 24 while 12 cars will run in the GS class of the Koni Challenge.

To follow the latest racing action, become a friend or fan through the latest social media outlets. From blogs, photos, videos and mircroblogging, fans can access the latest racing news generated by Ford Racing.

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ford-Racing/44789073819#
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fordracinginsidetheoval
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/FordRacing_ITO or www.twitter.com/fordracing
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/FordRacingInsideOval
• Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34341700@N04/
• blog: http://fordracinginsidetheoval.blogspot.com/
• Friendfeed: http://friendfeed.com/fordracinginsidetheoval
  

Added horsepower, more refinements and additional functionalities are what customers can expect from the new 2010 Shelby GT500 when it rolls into showrooms this spring. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. The redline is 6,250 rpm.

The Shelby GT500 is the most-robust design and most-distinctive model of the new 2010 Mustang lineup. Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) developed the vehicle jointly with Shelby Automobiles, using the gains made on the 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustangs as the performance starting point. Key advancements include:

• Instead of a flat-panel closed system to reduce air restriction, the Shelby’s open-element air induction system features a conical air filter, allowing more air to be pumped through the engine, and resulting in more power and increasing the engine’s efficiency.
• The 2010 Shelby GT500 offers customers new gearbox enhancements, plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, mean the 2010 Shelby GT500 will deliver improved acceleration performance, while providing better highway fuel efficiency.
• Shelby’s distinct growl is still there, though with new refinements by the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) team, unwanted noise is kept in check through a patented resonator placed between the air filter and engine throttle body.
• Aggressive new exterior design features new functional details, such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce; world-class materials and craftsmanship create the most unique GT500 interior yet.
• Driving dynamics also are improved, thanks to SVT’s signature chassis tuning as well as new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 coupe and 18s on the convertible. Numerous aerodynamic upgrades, including a redesigned splitter, were made to the front end of the 2010 Shelby GT500.

Quotes

“The 2010 Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford’s continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles. In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.”
- Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development

“We’re proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we’ve now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500. Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive.”
- Carroll Shelby, Founder of Shelby Automobiles

The countdown is on for this Sunday’s premier of the broadcast of “Why We Race: The Mustang Challenge.” Fans can expect to see up-close the full excitement, drama and behind the scenes story of the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup. In addition to following Andrew Caddell of Graham, Washington, the series will also shadow diverse sets of racing teams ranging from father-son duos with a passion for speed to well-financed enterprises featuring multiple race cars, drivers and full crews of mechanics.

Produced by Emmy-winning Ligner Group Productions, the first of three episodes starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Discovery’s HD Theater network, where it is exclusively available in 1080i and 5.1 digital surround sound on high-definition platforms nationwide.

Related Resources

Fans looking to get a sneak peek at the broadcast

Additional screening times

About Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup: www.millercup.com

About the Discovery Communication’s premier HD network: www.dhd.discovery.com or www.turbo.com.

Quotes

“We’re really excited to have the opportunity to be in millions of homes across the country and to show an entirely new audience why Mustang Challenge is THE Place to Race! There just isn’t another series that has the bang for the buck like the Mustang Challenge, and to have us showcased on HD Theater like this for three consecutive Sunday nights is an extraordinary opportunity to tell the stories behind the racers.”
- Jamie Slone, 2008 Mustang Challenge Championship Sales and Marketing Manager