Ford Motor Company just trademarked a new name that has the automotive industry abuzz. On February 25th, Ford filed a new trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the name “Mach 4.” Speculation that Ford will slap this on a four-door vehicle isn’t a huge stretch. This development has many enthusiasts wondering if the brand will bring a sedan back into its lineup since the Fusion left in 2020.
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A new sedan in an age of SUVs?
Automakers have been eliminating sedans in their lineups for several years now, mainly because American buyers have shifted toward SUVs and trucks, instead. The Chevy Malibu and Impala, Buick Regal and LaCrosse, Mazda6, Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Azera, Volkswagen Passat, etc. all got the axe years ago, as did the Fusion. Ford’s current lineup is made up of trucks, SUVs, a single EV (the Mustang Mach-E), and the icon itself, the Mustang pony car.
Ford
According to Car & Driver, the trademark includes gasoline and electric cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. There’s no specific mention of a Mustang sedan, but the term “Mach” points to the Mustang’s heritage. The original Mustang Mach 1 was built in 1969, and Ford’s last Mustang Mach 1 was built in 2023. The Mach badge revival came when Ford gave the moniker to the very successful Mustang Mach-E.
Ford
In 2018, Ford reportedly showed a concept Mustang sedan to dealers, though that project was ultimately shelved. Last year, Ford CEO Jim Farley added more fuel to the fire, suggesting that a four-door Mustang could happen as long as it retained the performance and spirit of the original.
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The Mustang name would carry weight for a sedan or something else
Ford struck the right chord with the Mustang name for its EV. Given the success of the Mustang Mach-E and the growing trend of automotive sub-brands, the idea of a Mustang sedan isn’t really that far-fetched. Ford has already shown its willingness to push the Mustang name beyond its traditional two-door muscle car.
Sugar Design
While the possibility of a Mustang sedan remains strong, the “Mach 4” name leaves room for interpretation. There’s some speculation that the Mach 4 could be an entirely new performance model or even an off-road supercar similar to the Porsche 911 Safari or the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, although that would limit the car’s mainstream appeal and send the price near the 2022 Ford GT’s $500,000 MSRP. Ford has previously hinted at the development of a standalone Raptor supercar, which could also fall under the Mach 4 moniker.
Sugar Design
Despite the speculation, Ford has yet to confirm any concrete plans for a four-door Mustang or what vehicle the Mach 4 trademark would be used for. However, the company’s willingness to evolve the Mustang brand suggests they’re not afraid to take risks — even if it means ruffling purists’ feathers the way the Mach-E did initially. Now, that name seems to have been widely accepted, aided partially by the fact that the Mach-E (and especially the GT trim) received excellent reviews from journalists and owners.
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Final thoughts
A new Ford sedan with the Mustang name could generate serious excitement for the brand. For now, the automotive world can only wait to see what the Mach 4 will be, if anything. Regardless of whether the Mach 4 becomes a Mustang sedan, a high-performance sports car, or a super-truck, it’s clear that Ford remains committed to pushing boundaries and reimagining its most beloved models. One thing’s for sure: whatever form the Mach 4 takes, it’s likely to bring plenty of attitude and excitement, just like every Mustang that came before it.
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