The Detroit News has obtained an internal document from Ford that gives mention to trimming back on the amount of options available to not only the Mustang but all other Ford vehicles in an attempt to avoid customer confusion when ordering a Ford Vehicle. For example, there are currently 16,000 buildable combinations of options and colors offered on the 2007 Ford Mustang V-6 deluxe model. Using the 2008 year to get started on the cut back, the 2008 Mustang will only be available in 200 buildable combinations.

Now the question that remains is if the aftermarket Mustang companies such as Shelby, Saleen and Roush will follow suite. Shelby’s recently released Shelby GT has been criticized by many due to it’s lack of additional performance over a stock Mustang GT and significantly higher price tag. The Shelby GT500 has also fell victim to many options with the recent announcement that there will be a red stripe package available for purchased for a cool $1650.

Saleen has also released a Mustang with the same power as the Shelby GT plus a few exterior enhancements, the 2007 Saleen H281, with a MSRP of $42,028.

It’s good to see these changes being implemented and we look forward to seeing Ford recover and put itself back on top of the Automotive industry yet again.