Ford, underscoring its growing ambitions in the Middle East and Africa, has introduced the all-new Mustang on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford capped the live-action event by delivering the iconic pony badge to the 2015 yellow Mustang on the 112th floor of the skyscraper. The event was viewed live around the world on YouTube as well as by approximately 10,000 people gathered in the Dubai Downtown area, overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
"Almost 50 years ago Ford captured the world’s attention by placing a 1965 Mustang Convertible atop what was then the world’s tallest building, the Empire State Building in New York City," Bill Ford said. "Today’s event in Dubai, home to the world’s current tallest building, completes an incredible global journey for Ford and Mustang."
A team of six engineers travelled with the special Mustang from Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., to Dubai aboard an Emirates Airlines flight. Once the car arrived in Dubai, it was transported to the base of Burj Khalifa and carefully separated into six sections that could be transported to the 112th level via the building’s elevators. The team reassembled the vehicle over approximately 12 hours.
"We’ve taken the new Mustang to new heights of technology and refinement, so taking it literally to new heights atop the Burj Khalifa is an amazing achievement for our team," said Jim Benintende, president, Ford Middle East and Africa. "There are no cranes that would reach that high, and helicopter delivery is out of the question. Making this happen is truly an example of Ford engineering expertise at work."
The publicity stunt is part of Ford's inauguration of its business unit in Middle East and Africa where they plan on introducing 25 models by 2016, including the Mustang set to go on sale next year.
