DEARBORN, Mich., July 2, 2008 - The Fourth of July weekend is a time to reflect on American ideals and American icons. One of the most-iconic cars in American history is the Ford Mustang. With a heritage stretching back nearly a half-century, the Mustang has become a part of the American fabric. Mustang has been the best-selling sports car for 22 straight years, and there are plenty of reasons why:

• Unrivalled heritage:  More than 9 million Mustangs have been sold since the introduction at the 1964 New York World's Fair. It's the all-American car. Mustangs have always been built in America and the 2009 Mustang continues the tradition, rolling off the lines in Flat Rock, Michigan.
   
• The performance continues: The current model's 4.6-liter V8 produces 300 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. The 4.0-liter, single-overhead cam V6 produces 210 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. For the truly wild, a 5.4-liter Supercharged V8 is available with 500 hp and 480 foot-pounds of torque.
   
• Fuel Efficient: The V6 has best-in-class fuel economy, sporting 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
   
• Best-in-Class Safety: The 2008 Mustang GT earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the only convertible to garner that mark after tests for frontal crash, side impact and rollover. The Mustang convertible also was tops in highest side-impact performance as tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Best in class safety continues on the 2009 model.
   
• A Steed for Every Need: From Bullitt to Cal Special to GT500 to Warriors in Pink to the Pony Package, Mustang offers a wide range of choices. Whether it's show, go, making a statement about a good cause or a little of each, there's a Mustang for every taste.
   
• Glass Roof:  New for 2009 is a factory-installed Glass Roof, for that open air feel in any weather. With summer in full swing, a convertible is a popular choice. The legendary performance and hot appearance make it easy to understand why Mustang has long been America's best-selling convertible.
   
• Get it before it's gone:  Due to the short model year, it the 2009 45th Anniversary Mustang will be one of the rarest model years of Mustang ever.
   
• Most Customized Vehicle on the Planet:  Make it your Mustang. With hundreds of factory and aftermarket components available, you can make your Mustang look, feel and perform just the way you want it.
   
• A legacy of quality and value: Mustang received top honors as the Best Midsize Sporty Car by J.D. Power and Associates in its Initial Quality Study in 2007. In addition, VEHIX TV™ just named Mustang among the vehicles with the best resale value, beating out models from Honda, BMW, Porsche, Audi and nearly all domestic automakers.

Powerful, efficient, safe and American. That's the Mustang.

"Our Mustang has the most fuel efficient V6 in its segment," said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. "For serious enthusiasts, we have Mustangs that provide serious horsepower. Either way, when you own a Mustang, you are part of something special - a real piece of American heritage that goes back 45 years."