After huge pre-order requests, ‘The Pony’ is poised to accelerate out of the starting gate and take on Australian roads as Ford’s iconic Mustang arrives in Australia.

The first customer cars landed in the country at Melbourne’s Appleton Dock. Three more ships carrying customer cars are on their way.

The all-new Mustang has become a world-wide sensation, including Australia, where demand has exceeded all expectations.

Ford and its dealers across Australia have been inundated with inquiries and demand for the all-new Mustang Fastback and Convertible, with the order bank for one of the world’s most recognisable cars now sitting around 4,000 vehicles with more than 80 per cent paid deposits. These orders account for the first full year of vehicles to be sold in Australia through 2016.

“We are simply overwhelmed and humbled by the reception to Mustang thus far, which is probably our closest equivalent to the Beatles first trip to Australia,” Ford President and CEO, Graeme Whickman said.

After Mustang pricing was confirmed early this year, Ford saw a spike in interest and deposits, with more than 20,000 people putting their hands up to be kept informed about the new car.

“Our Mustang story has been one of the core vehicles in all our activities this year as a halo for the brand. We put a Mustang Convertible on top of one of the key buildings in Circular Quay in Sydney next to the Sydney Opera House for New Year’s eve celebrations and the images of that car went around the world,” Whickman said.