While European countries have to wait until midyear for first deliveries of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang, the first pony cars destined for Asia Pacific markets have already been shipped.

This marks the official launch of export of the new Mustang, which is available for the first time in its 50-year history in more than 100 markets worldwide, in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations.

Assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan, the all-new Mustang supports thousands of jobs across the United States, with suppliers for the iconic vehicle being based in 25 states.

The Flat Rock Assembly Plant has approximately 3,000 employees working two shifts at full capacity to produce Mustang and Fusion vehicles. In addition, Ford says 100 jobs at the Port of Portland have now been added to support Ford exports bound for Asia Pacific and other markets.

The Mustangs exported from the United States undergo a series of steps to comply with vehicle standards in the destination countries. For example, certain vehicles receive an underbody coating and documents in the destination country language.

“Preparing these vehicles for shipment to their final destination is critical to satisfying both customer and regulatory requirements for our markets around the world,” said Gerald Schoenle, director, Ford Trading Company.

The fact that Ford also builds a right-hand-drive Mustang will allow the pony car to be exported to more than 25 of these markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa.

The Mustang is the latest in a series of Ford Motor Company vehicles produced in the United States and exported around the world. The Explorer SUV is mainly built at Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois and exported to a number of markets, including China. Since 2014, Lincoln has exported US-built MKC and MKZ vehicles to China.

In 2013, Ford Motor Company shipped more than 380,000 vehicles from the United States.

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