Ford's Enduring Commitment to the Manual Mustang

Ford CEO Jim Farley stated the automaker's intention to continue producing the Mustang sports car with a manual gearbox for as long as feasible.

Speaking to Australian media, Farley emphasized the company's commitment to the manual Mustang.

Farley, an acknowledged enthusiast, has previously expressed a preference for distinctive vehicles over generic crossovers, leading to the cessation of US production for the Ford Escape in December 2025.

He reaffirmed that Ford aims to avoid producing "boring" vehicles, stating that the company focuses on serving working people and enthusiast drivers, across both off-road and on-road segments.

Current Mustang Manual Offerings

The current Mustang GT Fastback (coupe), equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine, is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Mustang GT convertible is offered exclusively with an automatic transmission in Australia, but a manual option is available in the US.

The Mustang EcoBoost, which features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, is sold as a coupe in Australia. While the previous S550 generation offered a manual option, the current S650 generation provides only an automatic transmission globally.

Industry Context and BMW's Stance

Farley's remarks come as Ford expands its racing involvement with the Mustang, including its participation in Australia’s Supercars category and a new partnership with Red Bull in Formula One commencing in 2026.

These comments also follow statements from BMW M division boss Frank van Meel. Van Meel indicated that BMW is not developing new manual transmissions for its high-performance models. BMW currently offers a six-speed manual in several models, but this transmission is not capable of handling the higher power outputs in more advanced M cars, such as the CS line. While manual M2 and M3 models remain available in showrooms, van Meel noted the difficulty in developing new manual gearboxes due to the small market segment, suggesting that manual options will become increasingly challenging to maintain in the future.