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All-New Mustang Dark Horse Debuts in China Ford Goes ‘All the Way Wild’ With Iconic Lineup at 6th Annual CIIE

Nov 06, 2023
Ford at CIIE 2023
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(SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 6, 2023) — Ford Motor Company attends the 6th annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) with the theme “Unleashed, Wild at Heart”. The company aims to inspire Chinese consumers with its "All the Way Wild" spirit by showcasing a series of iconic models and promoting the brand’s leading off-road and outdoor adventure lifestyle.

Ford’s high-performance sports cars enable driving enthusiasts to express thrilling passion and confidence on the track and on the highway, while its iconic off-road vehicles and pickup trucks empower consumers to show their wild and tough spirit in the outdoors and the wilderness. At this year's CIIE, Ford brings a lineup of products showcasing on-road driving fun and rugged off-roading capabilities:

  • Inheriting 60 years of passion and racing expertise, the all-new high-performance Ford Mustang Dark Horse sports car makes its China debut at this year's CIIE, igniting the passion of high-performance sports car fans;
  • Ford brand’s leading off-road and outdoor adventure product lineup featuring three legendary models, the Ford Bronco, the All-new Ford Ranger, and the super high-performance F-150 Raptor off-road pickup, embody the wild and tough spirit of Ford;
  • The Ford Explorer Timberline, combining luxury experiences and off-road capabilities, and 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Twister, the legendary coupe-shaped electric SUV, bring the brand’s thrilling and confident driving performance to life.

At the Ford stand located in Hall 2.1, in addition to the showcase of iconic Ford models, visitors can also experience an off-roading and outdoor lifestyle Brand Zone, where visitors are invited to go “All the Way Wild” with Ford’s personalized products built to meet different customers’ travel needs. During CIIE, Ford is partnering with social media influencers from outdoor, off-roading and lifestyle segments to co-host an 18-hour livestream diving deep into the characteristics of Ford brand's wild heart and soul. This livestream event will provide online and offline audiences with an immersive experience of Ford's iconic, high-performance on-road and off-road models, while also awakening their desire to join Ford in becoming “Unleashed, Wild at Heart”.

All-new Mustang Dark Horse Click to Enlarge

“The Ford brand is rooted in a wild spirit. Whether it is the ruggedness of traversing through mountains, the seaside and sandy terrain, or Ford’s 'wildness' in track and on-road driving, every Ford product has always been defined by this key characteristic," said Sam Wu, President and CEO of Ford China. "We are focusing on the brand’s advantages to make Ford fans completely fall in love with Ford through our iconic products and unique experiences, based on the varied needs of individual customers."

Mustang Dark Horse Makes China Debut

The Ford Mustang, which attracted extensive attention at previous editions of CIIE, made its return to the Ford stand this year with the China debut of the all-new high-performance Mustang Dark Horse sports car, which inherits 60 years of passion and racing expertise. The unique roar of its supercharged V8 engine enabled both online and offline audiences to experience the thrill of this powerful track legend.

All-new Mustang Dark Horse Click to Enlarge

The Mustang Dark Horse is the first Mustang in 21 years to be released as a new, limited-edition high performance model under a new name. Combining a sophisticated and sinister functional styling with track-quality aerodynamics, the All-new Mustang Dark Horse has a unique 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine that is specially modified with the same forged piston connecting rods originally applied in the high-performance Mustang Shelby GT500. Delivering ultimate performance both on the road and on the track, the new model provides an unforgettable and thrilling driving experience that will awaken the passion of driving enthusiasts around the world. The new Mustang Dark Horse will be officially launched and delivered in the first half of 2024.

Ford Bronco Click to Enlarge

Legendary Products Built-Tough for the Wild, Across Mountains, Seas, and No Man’s Land

Meanwhile, other distinctive iconic models show more of Ford’s wild and tough nature in rugged and extreme outdoor off-road conditions.

As the first-ever SUV concept in history, the Ford Bronco also created the foundation for highly versatile off-road vehicle design. Throughout its history, Ford Bronco has competed in major off-road races, winning titles in world-famous races such as the Baja500, Baja1000, and Mint400, continuing to evolve and be refined through this racing experience. Built on a high-strength steel frame and rugged unibody chassis, the Ford Bronco offers a variety of rugged off-road configurations designed for ultimate off-road performance. For instance, the model’s roof and doors can be quickly removed, and the entire floor is washable, further enhancing off-road convenience and versatility. The domestic version of Ford Bronco will enter the Chinese market next spring and will be sold through the Ford Beyond channel, providing off-road enthusiasts the ultimate off-road driving pleasure with maximum versatility – from the wild to the city, for all terrains and all seasons.

Ford Ranger Click to Enlarge

There is a saying in the pickup truck community that states there are only two kinds of pickups in the world: Ford, and all the rest. Embodying the Built Ford Tough spirit, the Ford Ranger is sold in over 180 countries/regions and has maintained popularity across 41 years and five generations, with over 8 million owners around the world. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak on display at CIIE is based on Ford's third-generation mid-size pickup platform, providing significant enhancements to the model’s off-road capabilities, handling and loading capacity and bringing owners an even wilder, more stable and convenient experience. Known by consumers as the "Off-road Transformer", in August, the limited 800 units of the Ford Ranger 1st Edition sold out in just over three hours during its pre-sale at the Chengdu Motor Show. Pre-sale pricing for all Ford Ranger models will be announced at the Guangzhou Auto Show later this month, so please stay tuned for more details.

Ford F-150 Raptor Click to Enlarge

The Ford F-150 Raptor, also known as the king of pickup trucks, has captured the hearts of pickup truck enthusiasts worldwide thanks to its high-performance capabilities, durability and reliability, combined with its smart and connected technologies. Ford has also created the "Off-road Academy" for Chinese consumers, an off-road training program for immersive professional training and competitions that brings special off-road experiences and community to Chinese consumers in pursuit of wild performance and tough off-road challenges.

In addition to unparalleled driving experiences, Ford has launched Ford Beyond, a new channel brand for off-roading and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. Ford Beyond provides leading outdoor and off-road products and experiences, as well as personalized modifications and community experiences. 

Different from ordinary 4S stores, Ford Beyond is also an outdoor lifestyle hub where off-road and outdoor adventure enthusiasts can discover the latest trends. Owners who have purchased a vehicle are invited to Ford Beyond, whether for repairs, maintenance, workshops, vehicle upgrades, or preparation for an upcoming journey, where they can also meet and interact with like-minded enthusiasts to experience the unique charm of the outdoor and off-road lifestyle together.

Following the opening of Ford Beyond in Chongqing and Kunming, further development of the Ford Beyond network is currently on the fast track.

Ford Explorer Timberline Click to Enlarge

Redefining Driving Pleasure: High-Performance Ford Models Inspire ‘Wild’ Hearts

As the most capable Ford Explorer ever, Ford Explorer Timberline further strengthens the legendary Explorer nameplate with Ford's longitudinal rear-wheel-drive platform for large premium cars, a Torsen® limited-slip rear differential typically found in luxury vehicles, REVO3 all-terrain tires and a high-strength chassis to ensure excellent handling in off-roading environments.

The Ford Explorer Timberline also provides stronger escape capability, and higher passing capability with ground clearance of 30 mm and 24° angle of departure / 23° angle of approach. The vehicle is also equipped with front dual towing hooks as standard, with up to three tons of towing capacity, allowing owners to enjoy more convenient, relaxed outdoor exploration no matter how tough the terrain.

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Twister Click to Enlarge

As a legendary electric SUV that truly awakens passion for driving, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Twister returns to CIIE in the exclusive Cyber Orange color, expressing an electric, bold and fearless spirit. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the first production model to be fine-tuned through the professional racing simulators used by the global Ford Performance team, in order to bring driving fun into the realm of intelligent electric vehicles and deliver the same thrill and passion of the Mustang for Chinese consumers to enjoy in the electric era.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Ford Motor Company is participating in CIIE, demonstrating Ford's continued confidence in the Chinese market as well its strong commitment to sustainable development in China.

In the future, Ford will continue to focus on its brand strengths, working together with local partners to accelerate its electrification transformation and bring more iconic products and experiences that meet the personalized needs of Chinese consumers, while leveraging China's strengths to further grow Ford's global business and advance the development of the automotive industry.