Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford
Ford helps buyers see the light with glass roof option for Mustang
Ford is giving potential Mustang buyers a third choice alongside its coupe and convertible in the form of a glass roof option that will be available on 2009 V6 and GT models. The $1,995 option consists of a special tinted glass that reduces infrared rays and heat, as well as a manual roller blind can completely block incoming sunlight.
This new option comes on the heels of a heavy decline in Mustang sales as the current model it enters its fourth year on the market. Nearly 30% fewer Mustangs were sold this November than last year, and overall sales for the year are down nearly 19%. This new option, and hopefully a Mach 1 or Boss model, just might give Mustang sales a kick in the pants in its last year before a refresh for 2010.
More details about the glass roof option are available in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford Mustang Glass Roof
PRESS RELEASE
Hot on the heels of the new Ford Bullitt Mustang and the new Shelby GT500KR, America's favorite muscle car drives into its 45th anniversary year sporting a new factory-installed glass roof.
The 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang provides a third roof option for customers and responds to their growing desire for more natural light. Production of large sunroofs has increased nearly 200 percent in North America since 2003, according to Just-auto. The growth is driven, in part, by consumers' daily commute time. The number of consumers with commutes lasting more than 60 minutes grew by almost 50 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The new glass roof will be available as an option on both the V-6 Mustang and Mustang GT beginning next summer.
At $1,995, the new roof provides customers a less expensive option than a convertible, without compromising the coupe's versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment.
"Mustang is an icon in our product lineup, and we are committed to keeping Mustang news fresh every year," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Global Product Development. "As the automotive landscape becomes increasingly competitive, features such as a panoramic glass roof will help differentiate our products from the competition."
Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and it remains the best-selling convertible. The new glass roof addresses the fact that 62 percent of buyers in the sports car segment are interested in a sunroof or moonroof on their next vehicle, according to J.D. Power and Associates research.
Mustang's Glass Roof is made of tinted privacy glass, which reduces both infrared rays and vehicle cool-down time by 50 percent. A manual roller blind is built in, allowing owners to further control exposure on sunny days.
The specially formulated glass also protects interior fabric material from solar radiation deterioration and discoloration by reducing solar light transmittance. To help improve acoustics and Mustang's interior quietness, the glass also features a layer of vinyl that reduces noise, vibration and harshness.
The glass roof Mustang is built like a coupe and has been developed to maintain the structural integrity of Mustang. The glass itself is safety glass, meaning that it shatters without sharp or jagged edges, like other automotive glass.
Glass Roof Mustangs will be assembled at the Automotive Alliance International plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The unique glass is installed at Ford's adjacent vehicle personalization facility.
Like its coupe and convertible counterparts, the Glass Roof Mustang has endured a battery of tests measuring quality and craftsmanship.
During the development phase, production-level prototypes ran through a rigorous prove-out, including various water, air leakage, durability, squeak and rattle and vehicle dynamics tests. Top quality drives the development team – as evidenced by Mustang's first-in-its segment ranking in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates IQS, VDS and APEAL studies.
"Quality is a continuous process. The whole team is passionate about it, which results in our paying attention to the smallest details," says Paul Randle, chief nameplate engineer. "Our owners have high expectations, and we always want to meet them – with strong features like this new roof option, quality and performance."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Gregg 9:05AM (12/12/2007)
Can't see where that will kickstart sales much, especially given the $2K tariff. But every little bit may help.
Ford needs to understand that 2 door coupes go stale in the marketplace faster than any other body style (they killed the last Cougar--which had been a sales leader--rather than update it). The Mustang has had the advantage of the pony car market to itself, but that is about to change too. That 2010 refresh won't bring back those 100,000+ sales (unless there are some amazing drivetrain upgrades). That will likely have to wait for a complete redesign.
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Mallory 9:14AM (12/12/2007)
I agree. Ford needs to get on the Charger/300C bandwagon and build a muscle sedan. Sporty coupes are fine until you're over 25 and can afford something nice, but without those extra 2 doors you're really limiting yourself. There was a time when sporty coupes were the thing to have but that time has passed.
Chad 9:26AM (12/12/2007)
Mallory, I think it a personal thing. Perhaps time has passed in your eyes but not in everyones.
I own a Mustang GT, I'm over 25, it's my daily driver, and I have a wife and two kids. I don't desire a 4 door sedan. My kids love it because their friends flip over it. It's fun and sporty to drive of those of us that can't afford an exotic.
Not crazy about the glass top though. Where would my racing stripes go? :)
Polly Prissy Pants 12:38PM (12/12/2007)
This is kinda off topic but Ford doesn't need to do one or the other (coupe or sedan), they need to do both. The Mustang is fine and there will always be a place for a performance coupe, but these days it would pay to have a muscle car type sports sedan too (see Ford Interceptor). I don't care how small your kids/pets/friends are, the backseats in a Mustang are decorative only. It might as well be a 2 seater which means if you DO have kids or friends that you want to take places you better have some other vehicle at your disposal or leave yours at home.
Chad 3:36PM (12/12/2007)
I disagree, we take trips in our Mustang and don't have issues.
Polly Prissy Pants 9:09AM (12/12/2007)
That would be cool if you didn't live someplace south of Kentucky. Being in Texas, there are many days when I wonder how cool it would be if an auto maker found a way to selectively make glass 100% opaque. Down here, 10 months out of the year you don't want any glass anywhere you don't absolutely have to see out of.
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Andrew 9:13AM (12/12/2007)
Lots of cars have that option. By lots, I mean lots of Maybachs:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/2070109.008/page3/maybach-62-s-world-debut
The Duke 10:16AM (12/12/2007)
There is a coating on the glass that keeps 90%+ of the heat out. The roof is from Classic Design Concepts and is called the Glassback.
http://www.classicdesignconcepts.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=116
Polly Prissy Pants 12:22PM (12/12/2007)
Even if it kept out 99% that wouldn't be enough for most days in Texas.
Carlos 5:44PM (12/12/2007)
Thats what cowboy hats are for!
Justin 9:10AM (12/12/2007)
I wish more cars had this option.
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pedro 10:35AM (12/12/2007)
I agree Justin. I have a BMW X5 with the panoramic sunroof, and it's one of the primary reasons I own the car. I love looking up and seeing open sky every time I get into the car.
berne1 9:15AM (12/12/2007)
It doesn't open? Give me a regular sunroof...
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Andrew 9:15AM (12/12/2007)
Now the bread and butter Mustang is declining in sales?! Rur roh. I can't wait to see the government bail another U.S. auto manufacturer out of the red again.
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compy386 12:57PM (12/12/2007)
Because it was so awful last time right? I mean geeze Chrysler paying early? You should know the government can't handle payments like that.
calebe 9:16AM (12/12/2007)
The Mustang,GT40 and the now defunked Focus hatchback are the only cars Ford has that I like. I am a Mustang fan but 2k is to much. It does not open like a TC or G6 roof. There is no reason it should cost that much. Material wise at 2K they are making a killing. It should actually be less than a openning sunroof since it is fixed in place.
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Andrew 9:19AM (12/12/2007)
They're obviously trying to make money on the deal.
Mike 2:47PM (12/12/2007)
Thing is, they are buying the roof and having it added on after the fact at their accessories factory.
It's expensive to cut off a roof and put a new one on. If you don't want it, don't buy it.
Also for the Texas comment, the article states it has a retractable shade that will block all light out if it's too sunny.
Andrew 9:17AM (12/12/2007)
Agreed, wind in your hair is better than a big(ger) view of the sky that you only see if you stop the car.
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ThwartedEfforts 9:22AM (12/12/2007)
Not sure this is as exciting as it sounds, esp. given that a bunch of other manufacturers offer this option, most notably Mercedes Benz. It's also not as wraparound cool as the Astra's new panoramic roof:
http://snipurl.com/astrapan
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