The Ford Mustang is a critical part of the automaker's lineup and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The Shelby GT500 is the most recent addition to the lineup and, rumor has it, the Mustang Mach 1 could return next year as a potential successor to the Mustang Bullitt. Looking even further ahead, there's a good chance a Mustang hybrid will debut when the seventh-generation model arrives. Before that, however, it appears Ford might decide to trim down the current crop of Mustangs.

Ford Authority has learned from unknown sources supposedly familiar with the automaker's future plans that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R will be discontinued in the not so distant future.

We reached out to Ford for more information and North American Icon Communications spokesman Jiyan Cadiz told us the following:

"While we cannot comment on future product plans, you know we've been pushing the Mustang lineup's capabilities and levels of excitement to new heights to give us the most performance-focused Mustang lineup in its 55-year history. This includes performance upgrades we've announced over the last 12 months to Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R models. Furthermore, we've even introduced a new Shelby GT350 and GT350R Heritage Edition package right before Christmas - really bringing out the best of this naturally aspirated, manual-only fastback."

This statement is neither a denial nor a confirmation. Take it for what it is (or isn't).

Mustang sales, in general, have been steadily decreasing every year since 2015 when they peaked at 122,439 units. In 2019, the total came to 72,489. Dropping the GT350 and track-focused GT350R in order to avoid some overcrowding does make some sense, especially since the arrival of the GT500. Is it really necessary to have two (three if you count the GT350R separately) Shelby Mustangs on sale at once? We could be finding out soon.

Cadiz also assured us that "There's always more excitement around Mustang to come. Stay tuned!" Indeed we all will.