Electric Cars

Ford's iconic Mustang has demonstrated a remarkable sales recovery, registering a substantial increase in January, far surpassing its electric stablemate, the Mach-E. This resurgence follows a volatile previous year for the Mustang, which ultimately concluded with a positive sales trajectory. However, the overall market trend indicates a persistent challenge for sports cars, as consumers continue to prioritize larger vehicle segments.

Mustang's Impressive Sales Rebound

The Ford Mustang kicked off the new year with an impressive sales performance, showing a significant increase of 50.4 percent in January compared to the same period last year. This rebound saw 3,609 units of the classic sports car delivered, starkly contrasting with the Mach-E's performance. This strong start signals a potential continuation of the upward trend observed at the end of the previous year, where strong fourth-quarter sales helped the Mustang overcome an earlier deficit. The Mustang's robust sales in January have positioned it favorably against its electric counterpart, suggesting a renewed interest in Ford's traditional performance coupe amidst evolving market dynamics.

Ford's traditional Mustang achieved a notable sales milestone in January, recording a 50.4 percent increase in units sold compared to the prior year. This translates to 3,609 Mustangs finding new owners, a figure that significantly overshadowed the Mach-E's performance, which only moved 1,040 units. The Mach-E's sales experienced a dramatic 70.5 percent decline, largely due to the cessation of federal incentives, a factor that profoundly impacted its market appeal. While the Mach-E had previously surpassed the Mustang in sales last year, the current figures indicate a reversal of fortune, with the internal combustion engine vehicle regaining its dominance. Despite this positive momentum, the Mustang's sales remain below its pre-pandemic peaks, reflecting broader shifts in consumer preferences towards SUVs and trucks. Nonetheless, the recent upswing provides a hopeful outlook for the model in the coming year.

Contrasting Fortunes: Mustang vs. Mach-E

In a notable shift in Ford's vehicle sales, the Mustang's significant January growth stood in stark contrast to the pronounced decline experienced by the Mach-E. While the Mustang celebrated a 50.4 percent surge in sales, the electric Mach-E witnessed a dramatic 70.5 percent drop. This disparity highlights a divergence in consumer demand, potentially influenced by factors such as the expiration of federal incentives for electric vehicles. This contrast suggests that while the market for traditional sports cars like the Mustang is finding new vigor, the electric crossover segment, at least for the Mach-E, faces considerable headwinds.

The sales data for January paints a clear picture of divergent paths for two of Ford's prominent models. The iconic Mustang roared back into contention with a 50.4 percent surge in sales, selling 3,609 units. This impressive performance effectively eclipsed the Mach-E, Ford's electric crossover, which saw its sales plunge by a substantial 70.5 percent, tallying only 1,040 units. This sharp decline for the Mach-E is largely attributed to the conclusion of federal incentives, which had previously bolstered its sales. The year 2025 saw the Mach-E outsell the Mustang, but current trends suggest this will not be the case for 2026. This stark contrast underscores a potential shift in consumer preference or market conditions, where the allure of the traditional Mustang appears to be regaining strength, even as the broader automotive industry navigates the transition to electric vehicles. Despite the Mustang's promising start to 2026, its sales figures still lag behind pre-pandemic levels, indicating that while it's America's top-selling sports car, the overall segment faces ongoing challenges from the dominance of crossovers, trucks, and SUVs.

A unique piece of German automotive history, the 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2, is set to captivate collectors at an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction in Miami this February. This distinctive supercar, a testament to visionary engineering and design, represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of only 30 units ever crafted. With its powerful Mercedes-Benz V-8 engine, unconventional styling, and impressive performance metrics for its era, the Imperator 108i Series 2 stands as a fascinating symbol of independent German automotive innovation, blending a rich lineage with exclusive appeal.

The narrative of the Isdera Imperator begins with its founder, Eberhard Schulz, a German designer whose career trajectory included stints at Porsche and B+B, where he famously conceived the Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept. This concept car, an homage to the legendary 300SL, was initially developed independently before Mercedes-Benz officially sanctioned the use of its iconic emblem. Schulz's ambition to transform the CW311 into a production model led him to establish Isdera, giving birth to the Imperator 108i. Though it shed the Mercedes badge, the Imperator retained the CW311's unmistakable wedge-shaped aesthetic and inherited a potent Mercedes-Benz V-8 powerplant, centrally mounted for optimal balance.

Over a span of nine years, Isdera meticulously assembled just 30 Imperator models, each built to custom specifications. The 1991 vehicle slated for auction is a Series 2 variant, showcasing the evolution of Schulz's initial vision. Following the Imperator, Isdera introduced the even more audacious Commendatore 112i in 1993, which featured a Mercedes-Benz V-12 engine, akin to the one powering the Pagani Zonda. However, only a single Commendatore 112i was completed before the company faced financial difficulties.

The Imperator's allure is amplified by its dramatic fiberglass bodywork, meticulously draped over a tubular steel spaceframe. Its design is truly extraordinary, characterized by a compact front, distinctive gullwing doors, and innovative pop-up headlights. Further enhancing its aggressive aesthetic are deep vents carved into the front fenders, uniquely styled aerodisc wheels, and twin side-exit exhausts positioned just forward of the rear wheels, all contributing to its striking visual presence.

Propelling this stunning machine is a Mercedes-Benz M119 32-valve, 5.0-liter V-8 engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. This setup generated approximately 300 horsepower, allowing the Imperator to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a swift 5.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 175 mph—figures that were remarkably impressive for its time. The car currently up for auction was originally delivered to a buyer in Japan, maintaining its left-hand drive configuration and arriving with historical documentation including its original order form and correspondence. With less than 1400 miles on its odometer, this exceptionally preserved Imperator is projected to fetch between $650,000 and $850,000, underscoring its status as a coveted collector's item.

The upcoming auction of the 1991 Isdera Imperator 108i Series 2 offers an extraordinary chance to own a piece of rare automotive artistry. This vehicle not only represents a significant chapter in German supercar development but also embodies the bold vision of its creator, Eberhard Schulz. Its limited production, coupled with its distinctive design and formidable performance, cements its place as a highly sought-after classic in the realm of high-performance automobiles.