Ford’s New Mustang Unveiled On World’s Tallest building, Burg Khalifa
The 2015 Ford Mustang is not only a hit in the U.S., it’s making headlines all over the world. As you know, the S550-based Mustang is a global product and recently Bill Ford helped inaugurate Ford’s latest business unit, Middle East and Africa, an exciting, vibrant region that represents the final frontier for growth in the auto industry. To do so, Ford’s New Mustang Unveiled On World’s Tallest building, Burg Khalifa.
The Detroit automaker said it would launch over 20 new vehicles in this region by 2016, including the all-new Mustang debuting next year. According to Ford, industry sales in Middle East & Africa are expected to grow 40 percent to 5.5 million vehicles by 2020.
Mustang enthusiast and Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford as on hand to deliver the iconic pony badge to the 2015 yellow Mustang on the 112th floor of the skyscraper. “Today we planted the Ford flag in the Middle East & Africa, an exciting, vibrant region that represents the final frontier for growth in the auto industry,” Bill Ford said. “We also sent a message to the world that Mustang is going global after 50 years as America’s greatest motoring icon.”
Ford’s new Middle East & Africa business unit covers the company’s automotive business in 67 Ford markets in North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and Middle East regions. Industry sales in Middle East & Africa are expected to grow 40 percent to 5.5 million vehicles by 2020.
According to Ford Motor Company, “Viewers of the light-hearted action spectacle witnessed a dramatic journey that started with a hero atop a cliff in Arizona taking an urgent call. The unknown protagonist raced via horseback, airliner, car, helicopter and jet ski to Dubai to deliver the iconic pony badge. Only in the final scene on the 112th floor of the Burj Khalifa – 399 meters (1,300 feet) above the ground -- was the protagonist revealed with a wink and a nod as Bill Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford.”
“A century ago Henry Ford had a vision to open the highways to all mankind,” said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle East and Africa. “Placing our regional headquarters in Dubai lets us tap the innovation and imagination that’s flourishing here, helping us to bring our founder’s vision to this part of the world.”
Ford also announced that the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKC will go on sale in the Middle East and Africa. This includes EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity, inflatable rear seat belts, MyKey and other driver assist technologies.
“Almost 50 years ago Ford captured the world’s attention by placing a 1965 Mustang Convertible atop what was then the world’s tallest building, the Empire State Building in New York City,” Bill Ford said. “Today’s event in Dubai, home to the world’s current tallest building, completes an incredible global journey for Ford and Mustang.”
Ford stated that a team of six engineers travelled with the special Mustang from Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, to Dubai aboard an Emirates Airlines flight. Once the car arrived in Dubai, it was transported to the base of Burj Khalifa and carefully separated into six sections that could be transported to the 112th level via the building’s elevators. The team reassembled the vehicle over approximately 12 hours.
“We’ve taken the new Mustang to new heights of technology and refinement, so taking it literally to new heights atop the Burj Khalifa is an amazing achievement for our team,” Benintende said. “There are no cranes that would reach that high, and helicopter delivery is out of the question. Making this happen is truly an example of Ford engineering expertise at work.”
“Dubai is a destination which offers a remarkable range of breath-taking experiences, so Ford’s ambition for this event was a natural fit,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism. “It was a privilege to work with Ford and our partners to stage the event and to demonstrate once more that Dubai is a city which continues to push the boundaries of possibility.”
