How many Mustangs were made in 1972?
Around 270,000 Ford Mustangs were produced in 1972, depending on counting methods and sources. This figure reflects calendar-year production in many catalogs, but counts can vary when model-year designations or exports are considered.
Context: Mustang production in the early 1970s
In 1972, the Mustang was still part of Ford’s first-generation lineup (1964–1973). The model enjoyed solid demand as a traditional two-door pony car, even as consumer tastes and fuel economy concerns began to influence buying patterns across the market.
How production figures are counted
Different outlets tally production in different ways. Some sources report calendar-year production, others focus on model-year shipments, and still others separate domestic output from export sales. Because these conventions diverge, exact numbers can vary by several tens of thousands depending on the source.
Bottom line
When the common counting practices are taken into account, the calendar-year production figure for 1972 is typically cited around 270,000 units. Model-year totals and exports can adjust that total upward or downward depending on the dataset.
Summary
The 1972 production figure exemplifies how historical car production data depend on counting methods. Most reliable tallies place calendar-year Mustang production in the mid- to upper-300,000 range in the broader market, with around 270,000 cited for 1972 in many reference works. Always check whether a source counts U.S.-only output, model-year shipments, or global/export production to understand the number in context.
