Ford is one of the most iconic American automotive brands ever to emerge. Back in 1903, the Ford Motor Company began its reign, and just a little more than a month later, its first Model A was sold. Henry Ford, the man behind the brand, is considered to be the father of the American automotive market. He also revolutionized not only the automotive industry but manufacturing in general by perfecting the assembly line.
In its first year, Ford sold 1,000 of its original Model As, which was a pretty astounding number at that time. Sales have only soared since that initial year more than a century ago, as has the company’s selection of vehicles you’ll find at dealerships like northside ford san antonio. Recent reports show that the company sold approximately 4.4 million vehicles across the globe last year alone. No doubt, that figure will continue to climb in the years to come. Several iconic models have rolled off of Ford’s assembly lines over the decades, but the following 10 are some of its best sellers.
1. Ford Taurus
One of Ford’s best-selling models was the Taurus. It first came into play for the 1986 model year, and it remained in production until 2019. During its 34 years on the market, it went through several updates, upgrades, and facelifts. It was a hit from the beginning, and some experts insist it saved Ford from bankruptcy. It was a wonderful family vehicle, and well over 7.5 million were sold during its years on the market.
Of course, the SHO, which was made from 1989 through 1999 and again from 2010 until 2019, helped keep the Taurus in the spotlight. It offered everything people loved about the standard Taurus as well as the power, speed, and rumble of a muscle car, all in the neat little package of a seemingly unassuming sedan. Those made from 1996 through 1999 even had a Yamaha 3.4-liter V-8 engine that could put out 235 horsepower if not more.
2. Ford Escort
Escort is another of Ford’s leading vehicles. It appeared on the American auto market in 1981, but it was available in other parts of the world from 1968 through 1980. Escorts came in different body styles, including coupes, sedans, hatchbacks, and station wagons, and in a variety of trim levels with various options. They were affordable, and they offered great fuel efficiency. They were also highly dependable. More than 20 million Escorts were sold while they were in production, making them one of Ford’s leading vehicles on a global scale. The last year they were produced was 2003.
3) Ford F-Series
Obviously, it would be impossible to talk about Ford’s leading vehicles without mentioning its F-Series pickups. They hit showroom floors in 1948, and they’ve been there ever since. They’re popular because of their performance and reliability, and every new model has a range of interesting innovations.
These trucks are incredible workhorses, and they can easily haul heavy loads and tow utility trailers, campers, and boats. They also look good driving down the road without anything connected to their hitches, and for quite some time now, Ford has been placing just as much emphasis on interior comfort as it has on power, durability, and efficiency. Because of that, the F-Series has been Ford’s, as well as America’s, best-selling truck for several years running.
4. Ford Fiesta
On the smaller end of the spectrum, there’s the Ford Fiesta. One of its main selling points is its size. As a subcompact car, it’s easy to maneuver and fit into tight spaces whether they’re small driveways or crowded parking garages. It’s not the best vehicle for families or those who need a lot of legroom and cargo space, but it’s perfect for young people, couples, and city dwellers. It went into production in 1976. Though its North American production run ended in 2019, it was still being manufactured abroad until last year. It’s a fuel-efficient vehicle that many people feel is fun to drive, and those are some of the reasons more than 22 million Fiestas have been sold to date.
5. Ford Mustang
You can’t think of Ford without picturing the Mustang, either. It’s not only one of Ford’s most recognizable vehicles but also an American icon. Reports show that more than 10 million Mustangs have been sold since they first hit the market in 1964. Legend has it that Ford set out to create a new niche in the market when it designed the first Mustangs. The company wanted to create a line of affordable compact cars that had the power of muscle cars and the sportiness of some of the European vehicles that were popular at the time.
Its efforts paid off with the Mustang giving the Pontiac GTO a run for its money and outselling the Plymouth Barracuda by a considerable margin. That, in turn, sparked serious competition from other manufacturers. It gave rise to the Chevy Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird, and the Dodge Challenger among others. Over time, several Mustang models have stood out in a crowd, including the ’65 Shelby, the ’68 GT Fastback, and the 2020 Shelby GT500. With more than 760 horsepower, that last model is said to the be most powerful Mustang ever made. At this point, Ford is bringing the Mustang into the EV market with a complete redesign to boot.
6. Ford Explorer
Having sold more than 8 million so far, the Explorer is also one of Ford’s most popular models of all time. Its first year in production was 1990, and it’s still being made to this day. It offers plenty of cargo space, legroom, and hauling and towing capacity. It has had a major hand in propelling the SUV market to fame, and it’s one of the best-selling SUVs on the market.
7. Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion is also a top-selling model. It’s a midsize sedan that offers comfort, fuel efficiency, and dependability. It was available with a range of engine options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, and it came in both front- and all-wheel-drive. Though the Fusion was only produced in North America from 2006 through 2020, more than 4 million were sold during that time.
8. Ford Focus
Produced from 2000 through 2018, the Focus was available in several body styles. Those included coupes, sedans, 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, and wagons. This car offered versatility, great fuel efficiency, good handling, and performance. Due to those strong suits, Ford sold more than 16 million of them.
9. Ford Transit
While all the other cars, trucks, and SUVs mentioned here are passenger vehicles, the Ford Transit is a light commercial van. It’s available in various versions, including passenger, cargo, and utility setups. This model entered the mix in 1965, and it’s still going strong. With sales topping 8 million, it’s one of the best-selling vans in both America and the UK.
10. Ford Model T
Now, it’s time to take a look at the distant past. Ford’s Model T was in production from 1908 through 1927, and it revolutionized both America’s automotive industry and the nation’s auto market. It was the nation’s first truly affordable and practical vehicle, and none of these other models, or perhaps even those from other leading American manufacturers, would be here without it. Ford sold 15 million Model Ts, which was astronomical back in those days. It’s still impressive even now.
Ford: A Long-Running Reputation of Excellence
Having been part of the automotive industry for more than 120 years now, Ford has developed a long-running reputation of excellence. It has broken records, brought about revolutions, and shown countless people the joys of driving. From the practical Escort and Fusion to the powerful F-Series trucks and the sporty Mustang and Taurus SHO, Ford has made a name for itself and kept the automotive market moving forward.
