Manual Mustang Staying Alive!
Ford CEO Jim Farley pledged that the manual transmission is here to stay for the Mustang: "Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang" [https://jalopnik.com/2121791/mustang-manual-stays-ford-ceo, https://gearpatrol.com/cars/fords-ceo-promises-to-keep-manual-alive].
Farley's remarks, made at the 2026 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, underscore Ford's commitment to enthusiast drivers. He has previously voiced his preference for cars like the Mustang over "generic, two-row crossovers". Farley also affirmed Ford's dedication to avoiding boring cars, expanding that vision to include both on-road and off-road experiences. The CEO's pledge arrives as manual transmission options dwindle across the automotive landscape. Many brands have abandoned the clutch pedal due to stricter emissions standards and the rise of quicker automatic transmissions. The manual transmission was dropped in the Mustang EcoBoost model with the current generation, but remains available on the Mustang GT and Dark Horse versions that have a V8 engine. In 2024, approximately 27% of Mustang buyers chose the manual transmission. The Mustang's manual is a six-speed and is currently available on GT models equipped with the 5.0-liter V8. Ford has not announced plans for an electric Mustang, but is open to a hybrid version to enhance performance.
