Gas-powered Mustang sales fall over 30% in Q1 2025, while Mach-E crossover gains traction amid rising costs and shifting tastes.
Ford’s iconic Mustang is facing a tough road ahead, with sales of the last remaining American muscle car falling sharply in the first quarter of 2025. According to newly released data, Ford sold just 9,377 gas-powered Mustangs from January through March—down 31.6% from the 13,707 units sold during the same period last year.
It marks a notable shift for the long-standing nameplate as consumer preferences and economic realities begin to reshape the automotive landscape. While the Mustang coupe once led the muscle car pack, it is now being outsold by its all-electric sibling, the Mustang Mach-E. Ford reports it delivered 11,607 units of the crossover EV so far this year, surpassing the traditional coupe for the first time.
Industry analysts point to a range of contributing factors behind the Mustang's downturn, chief among them being affordability. The base EcoBoost coupe now starts at $33,515 including destination charges—an increasingly tough sell in a market where inflation has outpaced wage growth. For many Americans, the prospect of owning a sporty, two-door, rear-wheel-drive car as a daily driver or second vehicle has become financially impractical.
“This is less about the Mustang itself and more about shifting priorities,” said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds. “Consumers are seeking versatility, efficiency, and affordability. A two-door coupe just doesn’t check all the boxes anymore.”
Ford has not commented on whether it plans to adjust Mustang pricing or production in response to the sales slump. The company is instead placing a growing emphasis on electrification, positioning the Mach-E—and soon, additional EVs—as the future of the Mustang brand.
Still, enthusiasts hold out hope for the Mustang’s survival, especially with new high-performance variants like the Dark Horse hitting showrooms. But if current trends continue, the muscle car’s days as a volume seller may be numbered.
