LOS ANGELES -- Ford Motor Co. is planning upgrades to its new Mustang after just a few months on the market.

Ford product development chief Phil Martens wouldn't provide details of the changes. But he said the upgrades would improve ride and decrease noise, vibration and harshness.

"We're very aware of the shelf life of products," Martens said. "We've pulled it ahead."

He wouldn't detail the timing of any changes.

Barb Samardzich, Ford product development executive director overseeing the Mustang program, characterized the upgrades as the kind of continuous improvement that engineering teams tackle once a vehicle launch is out of the way.

Ford began selling the redesigned 2005 Mustang coupe in October. The 2005 Mustang convertible, which debuted at the Los Angeles auto show last week, goes on sale this spring.

Though he said he's pleased with the front and rear suspension on the redesigned Mustang, Martens also touted the value of independent rear suspension. The Mustang platform has a solid rear axle but was designed to accommodate an independent rear suspension module. Ford has typically used an independent rear suspension for the high-performance Mustang Cobra SVT.

He didn't rule out an eventual move to independent rear suspension for the Mustang platform.

Said Martens: "It is undecided."

Source: Autoweek
Original Source: Amy Wilson - Automotive News