CEO Jim Farley: They'll have to rip the Mustang's stick shift 'out of our cold, dead hands'

[RJW]

Its just a matter of time. 10-15 years from now Farley won't be at Ford anymore and it either won't matter what he says.

California wishes to prohibit the sale of brand-new vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035. I think thirteen other states are signed up to follow the California regulations on vehicle emissions. Will automakers bother making cars that can only be sold in some of the states? It's not just the stick shift that is on death row; it's probably gasoline engines as well. While we can, let the good times roll.

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[Charger68]

I ordered an automatic, and after 9 months traded it on a dealer 6 speed. I'm 73, and the A10 was just a drag. It's never in the zone when you drive like a civilian. I'm happy now, except when the goof balls stop on my tail in a state of oblivion.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

California wishes to prohibit the sale of brand-new vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035. I think thirteen other states are signed up to follow the California regulations on vehicle emissions. Will automakers bother making cars that can only be sold in some of the states? It's not just the stick shift that is on death row; it's probably gasoline engines as well. While we can, let the good times roll.

That was struck down last May.

 

[RJW]

That was struck down last May.

California sets these emissions goals, finds they are unachievable, backs off, then comes back again and again with new unachievable goals.

 

[ChitownStang]

California sets these emissions goals, finds they are unachievable, backs off, then comes back again and again with new unachievable goals.

Land of fruits and nuts! lol

 

[AZ_Ryan]

California sets these emissions goals, finds they are unachievable, backs off, then comes back again and again with new unachievable goals.

Yep. California is the ultimate boogie man for conservatives.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Yep. California is the ultimate boogie man for conservatives.

I believe Cali is the boogieman for the whole US. CARB is hopefully dying a quick death.

 

[d4rkg04t]

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-ne...be-pulled-out-of-our-cold-dead-hands-says-ceo

Ford Mustang manual will be pulled “out of our cold dead hands”, says CEO

Ford CEO Jim Farley said the automaker will keep making the iconic rear-wheel-drive Mustang sports car with a manual gearbox for as long as possible.

Speaking to Australian media including CarExpert at the 2026 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, the Ford CEO said: “Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang.”

Now he just needs to stop encrypted the ECU like a loser.

 

[LouG]

Sorry, you’re wrong… had it and it was lifeless, especially if it’s your fun car and not a daily.
Mustangs wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for that manual v8 … that’s a fact.
So respect the manual!
Don’t get me wrong; It’s totally fine if you choose an auto but it’s never going to be as cool as a manual!

Until you're in slow nose to tail traffic. I'd need both. Make that 3, I want the DCT as well.
I played with track mode again a few days ago. that is very clever. It shifts when I would shift a manual, but has better ratio spacing.
Probably an 8 spd auto and 7 spd manual would suit both camps.

 

[ChitownStang]

Until you're in slow nose to tail traffic. I'd need both. Make that 3, I want the DCT as well.
I played with track mode again a few days ago. that is very clever. It shifts when I would shift a manual, but has better ratio spacing.
Probably an 8 spd auto and 7 spd manual would suit both camps.

I avoid traffic like the plague!
Luckily I don’t have to drive in it because a manual in Chicago traffic sucks!
Ford should’ve just used the 8-speed from BMW, it’s pretty perfect.

 

[LouG]

I avoid traffic like the plague!
Luckily I don’t have to drive in it because a manual in Chicago traffic sucks!
Ford should’ve just used the 8-speed from BMW, it’s pretty perfect.

Lucky. Our cities are quite clogged with traffic for a small country. Bad town planning

 

[SpeedLu]

Very surprised to see this topic turned into a dick measuring thread.

Always happens. Manual transmission purists just can't help themselves. I drove a stick for a long time, but due to an injury I'm no longer able to do so comfortably, so I switched to Autos and haven't looked back. I've matured since then, and whenever I see stick jockeys putting down people who drive Autos, I chuckle to myself because I used to be the same when I was a teenager.

 

[ChitownStang]

Always happens. Manual transmission purists just can't help themselves. I drove a stick for a long time, but due to an injury I'm no longer able to do so comfortably, so I switched to Autos and haven't looked back. I've matured since then, and whenever I see stick jockeys putting down people who drive Autos, I chuckle to myself because I used to be the same when I was a teenager.

I love being a 47 year old kid! LOL
Injury and traffic are good excuses to own an automatic. but you're still inferior! lol
kidding

 

[When Pigs Fly]

I love being a 47 year old kid! LOL
Injury and traffic are good excuses to own an automatic. but you're still inferior! lol
kidding

At the end of the day, to each their own. Both have their advantages.

Auto: better fuel economy, faster, and easier.
Manual: a true driving experience, and fun.

Fellow 47-year-old kid here - mine is mostly a weekend driver (i.e. a toy). I choose FUN!

Everyone should do what makes them happy. Just remember though, in life, happiness is not automatic.

 

[Dave2013M3]

I avoid traffic like the plague!
Luckily I don’t have to drive in it because a manual in Chicago traffic sucks!
Ford should’ve just used the 8-speed from BMW, it’s pretty perfect.

Its light years ahead of the Ford 10spd.

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