Why Is Ford’s 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Banned In Europe?

As Ford (F) looks to releases its 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 to the world, there’s one market that the company won’t be selling the sports car in. According to a report by Muscle Cars & Trucks, Ford won’t be releasing the GT500 into Europe, based on the stiffer emissions requirements coming down the pipeline in the region.

Ford Performance Marketing Manager Jim Owens confirmed the ban to the news outlet, saying that the GT500 will only be sold in North America, Mexico, and the Middle East, but not Europe.

The omission of the European car market comes as the U.K. enacted a ban on the sale of all-new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040. Other European countries have created similar legislation that is scheduled to start earlier in 2030.

While the 760 horsepower V8-powered GT500 is slated as 2020 model, European regulators are preventing the sports car from being sold there. The vehicle’s powertrain doesn’t meet the stricter emissions requirements of the region, preventing the GT500 and several of its counterparts from cashing in on the market’s demand for the vehicle.

The sports car market in Europe has been strong for Ford as it has sold 45,000 Mustang model in the region after the launch of its S550 in 2015, Muscle Cars & Trucks reported. Ford also reportedly sold 500,000 Mustang units globally in the same time frame.

Ford even showcased the GT500, which is the world’s best-selling sports coupe for four years straight, at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. This left many to think that the vehicle was destined for the U.K. market when actuality the automaker reportedly cannot sell the vehicle there or its new 2020 Mustang GT350 and GT350R models.

European regulators have also banned vehicles like the Chevy Camaro SS and C7 Corvette that have V8 engines as well.

The GT500 is slated to go on sale in the U.S. this fall with a starting price of $74,000.

Shares of Ford stock were down 1.44 percent as of 11:19 a.m. ET on Friday.