A few years ago now, Ford announced its intentions to unite all the different platforms it builds on various continents into a more universal architecture. Called “One Ford,” the idea is to streamline the manufacturing process by overlapping parts on cars sold in different countries. For example, the new Ford Focus sold in America shares about 80% of its parts with its European cousin, which is a huge improvement.

But what does that mean for the Mustang? When it comes to sports cars, Americans and Europeans have very different ideas of what makes a car fun and sporty. Torque News sat down with Ford’s chief designer J Mays, and asked him what this means for the Mustang’s design language.

Ford has already, for the first time ever, solicited design studies for the next Mustang from offices outside of the U.S. It seems the Blue Oval absolutely intends to sell the Mustang overseas, which has many Mustang fans wondering if that means giving up horsepower and raw muscle in favor of a lighter package and better handling.

Jay Mays doesn’t want you to worry. According to Torque News, both Mays and Ford know that if they try to create a European car out of an American icon, they will have a legion of unhappy fans. So expect the Mustang to hold on to that muscle…but don’t write anything off either. We have faith in Ford and Mays that the next Mustang will be the best one yet, in more ways than one. He certainly is taking the task seriously, pledging not to screw up the next Mustang and to keep to its iconic roots as an American muscle car. He better deliver.