11,000 pony up for new Mustang

Ford Motor Co. says 11,000 customers already have placed orders for the 2011 Ford Mustang -- three times the number of advance orders booked for the last model at this point in its launch.

"Fuel economy ranks among the top two reasons people choose vehicles," said Steve Ling, Ford's North America car marketing manager. "With the 2011 Mustang lineup, we've found a way to offer even better fuel efficiency for V-6, GT and even Shelby GT500 performance drivers -- while improving performance. And consumers are responding."

The new V-6 version of Ford's popular pony car gets 30 miles per gallon -- a 25 percent improvement over the current model. Orders for V-6s are up 19 percent over last year, Ford said.

"The new engine transforms Mustang," Ling said. "Everything people love about the car lives on, and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports cars in the world."

Ford also reports higher-than-expected take rates for special packages like the Mustang Club of America (MCA) Special Edition and California Special.

"Mustang is ready for a new generation of buyers," Ling said. "With new high-tech and fuel-efficient engines, class-leading connectivity and infotainment options, as well as signature style and performance, Mustang is poised to continue its legacy as America's favorite sports car."

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