Ford Mustang Mach 1 buyers short-changed

UPDATED 11/05/2021 10:00am: Ford has advised the Mustang Mach 1 will come with a differential cooler and the same mechanical limited-slip diff as the Mustang GT and BULLITT, not a torque-sensing 'torsen' diff as expected.

Original article published 07/05/2021 7:52 pm: Disgruntled buyers of the new Ford Mustang Mach 1 have complained about a change in the local specifications of the most driver-focussed Mustang ever released in Australia.

And at least one unhappy future owner is even talking about seeking compensation for the lack of equipment Ford previously said would be included.

When Ford Australia announced local specs for the Mach 1 last October it created a brochure for potential buyers. Now it has emerged that those brochure details and the final specification of the Mach 1 will not match.

Among the critical differences are the lack of a rear differential cooler, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, fog lights and branded floor mats.

“We recently discovered some content and feature corrections on the Mustang Mach 1 for the Australian market, and are disappointed we didn’t catch this before the first run of brochures and website was published,” Ford said in a statement that was also distributed to dealers.

“We are especially disappointed that our loyal and engaged Ford customers and Mach 1 owners feel let down.

“The Mustang Mach 1 is a purpose-built product with a singular aim – to be the ultimate driving Mustang on the road and track. Uniquely engineered parts, which are designed to improve downforce and cooling on the Mach 1, unfortunately mean that the vehicle does not feature Adaptive Cruise Control or audible rear sensors while parking, though a reversing camera remains standard.

“We can also confirm that the Mach 1 has Ford’s own Limited Slip Differential, which is fully mechanical, identical to that fitted in the Mustang GT as well as Mustang BULLITT, that the Mustang GT350 lower light assembly used on Mach 1 means fog lamps are not included, and that the floor mats are standard Mustang mats rather than Mach 1 branded.

“These content changes will be incorporated into an updated brochure that will be released shortly, and we are working through how we are able to best support our Mach 1 owners, and will reach out to each of them very soon with an update.”

But that’s not good enough for Shane Smedley, who has placed an order for one of the 700 Mach 1 coupes destined for Australia.

“It’s being framed as a brochure error. The issue is that people have made decisions as to the value of the product based upon the assertions made in both the brochure AND other advertising, dealer assertions etc,” he told carsales.

“These are not small errors. These are significant and impact the value proposition, particularly the differential,” he says.

“Any company needs to be accurate in their market messages or risk reputational damage. Where this leaves Ford is that its own customer care charter says they comply with ACCC consumer guarantee which states that the product needs to match the advertising.

“Making a statement about brochure errors just says that they didn’t do their homework properly and people made decisions made on a range of inaccuracies (not a simple error). These types of errors should not occur.”

Related: Ford Mustang Mach 1 2021 Review