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A Comprehensive Guide to the Mustang’s Manufacturing History

Learn where the iconic Ford Mustang is built, from its humble beginnings in 1964 to the present day. Discover the various manufacturing locations around the world that have produced this beloved Ameri …


Updated June 8, 2023

Learn where the iconic Ford Mustang is built, from its humble beginnings in 1964 to the present day. Discover the various manufacturing locations around the world that have produced this beloved American muscle car.

The Ford Mustang is one of the most recognizable and beloved cars in the world, with a rich history spanning over five decades. Since its introduction in 1964, the Mustang has become an icon of American culture, symbolizing freedom, power, and performance. But where exactly is this iconic car built? Let’s take a journey through time and explore the various manufacturing locations that have produced the Ford Mustang.

Early Years (1964-1973)

The first-generation Ford Mustang was built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in Michigan, USA. This plant, located just outside of Detroit, was responsible for producing over 418,000 units between 1964 and 1966. The Mustang’s success led to an expansion of production to other plants, including the San Jose Assembly Plant in California and the St. Louis Assembly Plant in Missouri.

Second Generation (1974-1982)

The second-generation Ford Mustang was built at several locations, including:

  • Dearborn Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA): This plant continued to produce the Mustang, with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs.
  • San Jose Assembly Plant (California, USA): The San Jose plant took over production of the Mustang in 1975, with a focus on producing the car’s more popular models.
  • St. Louis Assembly Plant (Missouri, USA): The St. Louis plant produced the Mustang from 1976 to 1982, with a focus on building the car’s lower-end models.

Third Generation (1983-1993)

The third-generation Ford Mustang was built at several locations, including:

  • San Jose Assembly Plant (California, USA): The San Jose plant continued to produce the Mustang, with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs.
  • Metuchen Assembly Plant (New Jersey, USA): The Metuchen plant took over production of the Mustang in 1985, with a focus on building the car’s more popular models.

Fourth Generation (1994-2004)

The fourth-generation Ford Mustang was built at:

  • Flat Rock Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA): The Flat Rock plant produced the Mustang from 1999 to 2004, with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs.
  • St. Louis Assembly Plant (Missouri, USA): The St. Louis plant continued to produce the Mustang, with a focus on building the car’s lower-end models.

Fifth Generation (2005-2014)

The fifth-generation Ford Mustang was built at:

  • Flat Rock Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA): The Flat Rock plant continued to produce the Mustang, with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs.
  • Valencia Assembly Plant (Spain): The Valencia plant took over production of the Mustang in 2010, with a focus on building the car’s European models.

Sixth Generation (2015-Present)

The sixth-generation Ford Mustang is built at:

  • Flat Rock Assembly Plant (Michigan, USA): The Flat Rock plant continues to produce the Mustang, with a focus on improving quality and reducing costs.
  • Flat Rock plant has undergone significant upgrades to improve production capacity and efficiency.
  • The plant now produces both the Mustang and the Lincoln Continental.

In conclusion, the Ford Mustang has been built at several locations around the world since its introduction in 1964. From the Dearborn Assembly Plant in Michigan to the Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain, each location has played a significant role in producing this iconic American muscle car.