Ford guns for biz in Middle East, unveils new Mustang atop world’s tallest building

Ford Motor Company underscored its growing ambitions in the Middle East and Africa, with the dramatic introduction of the all-new Mustang on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, on November 19.

Ford executive chairman Bill Ford capped the live-action event by delivering the iconic pony badge to the 2015 yellow Mustang on the 112^th 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 established its new Middle East & Africa business unit this year, which 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. To meet new customer demand, Ford pledged to launch 25 vehicles in region by 2016, including the all-new Mustang debuting next year.

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 112^th floor of the Burj Khalifa – 399 metres (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 team of six engineers travelled with the special Mustang from Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., 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 112^th 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.”

"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.”

In addition to the new Mustang, Ford also previously announced a plan to introduce new vehicles such as the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKC in the Middle East and Africa. The company also announced the accelerated rollout of many new technologies to the region, including EcoBoost engines, SYNC in-car connectivity, inflatable rear seat belts, MyKey and other driver assist technologies.

For the first time in its 50-year history the Ford Mustang will be available in a factory-built right-hand-drive configuration in the UK with deliveries from mid-2015.