Shareholders proved oddly unhappy about a bit of news from legacy automaker Ford (F). This should have been welcome, but somehow, was not. The 2026 Mustang will be avoiding any big price hikes, which should keep it more accessible to drivers. Shareholders must have felt it a missed opportunity for revenue, as they sent shares sliding down nearly 1.5% in Monday afternoon’s trading.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
- Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Not only will the 2026 Mustang avoid any big price hikes, reports noted, but there will be very little in the way of price increase at all. Most 2026 Mustang configurations will have the same prices that they had in 2025. Though this will not be the case for all versions; in fact, the reports noted that the 2025 versions could actually be around $2,500 cheaper than the 2026 models based on the application of certain incentives.
In fact, the base model 2026 Mustang will cost just $400 more than the 2025 version. Further, the base model is the only model of Mustang that sees an actual price hike. In fact, the 2026 Mustang EcoBoost Premium is actually $1,200 lower than it was in 2025. But there is one key difference: Ford apparently decided to make up the price difference on options. The 2026 Mustang no longer includes, as a standard, a Magnesium Framed Curved Glass Display. That is now an option for an extra $1,000.
The Ranger Splash?
We also know that Ford’s “No Boring Cars” campaign is still alive and well. But there may be one point that Ford is overlooking in pursuit of this, one report noted. Ford’s dedication to removing the boring car could be extended to include trucks, and a previously-canceled line could be due for a comeback: the Ranger Splash.
The report suggested that it was time for something comparatively new in trucks, not just “…another towering double-cab monstrosity.” Indeed, the report called for “something fun,” like the Ranger Splash, regarded by some as “…Ford’s forgotten party truck.” Original marketing for the Ranger Splash noted its target market: “…a typical Splash buyer will be young, single, with an on-the-go lifestyle.” Sounds just like what No Boring Cars Ford needs right now. The Splash did get a comeback of sorts in 2022, however, though more as a color scheme than as an actual vehicle.
Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on two Buys, 12 Holds and three Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 4.18% rally in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $10.14 per share implies 10.23% downside risk.
