How many Ford Tempos were made?
Roughly 1.3–1.6 million Ford Tempos were built in North America, with the Mercury Topaz twin adding about 0.5–0.7 million. Together, the Tempo/Topaz family likely totals around 1.8–2.3 million units in that market. Ford does not publish a definitive worldwide tally for the Tempo alone.
To understand the scope, it’s useful to place the Tempo in its historical context. The Tempo debuted in 1984 as Ford’s compact sedan, aimed at competing in a crowded segment against vehicles from Honda, Toyota, and domestics. Over ten years, it underwent several revisions before production ended in 1994. The Tempo shared its platform with the Mercury Topaz, which helped Ford cover a broader market, though sales waned toward the end of the model’s run as consumer tastes shifted and competition intensified.
Production figures and what they show
The following figures reflect commonly cited estimates for the North American market, where the Tempo line was most widely sold. They illustrate the scale of Ford's entry in the compact sedan segment during the era.
- Ford Tempo (U.S./Canada): approximately 1.3–1.6 million units
- Mercury Topaz (sibling model): approximately 0.5–0.7 million units
- Tempo/Topaz combined (North America): approximately 1.8–2.3 million units
These ranges come from automotive historical databases and enthusiast clubs, not from a single official Ford tally, and they may vary slightly by source due to regional variants and export models.
Notes on data sources
Official production totals for the Tempo alone are not published by Ford. Analysts and car-hobbyist databases compile figures from factory records, dealership logs, and period catalogs, yielding the ranges cited above. Market-by-market differences and model-year adjustments add to the variation in estimates.
Global reach and market variations
The Tempo's primary footprint was in North America, with limited export to other regions under the Tempo/Topaz banner or different badge names. Because Ford's US/Canada production dominated the model's life, global totals are typically close to the North American figures, though some markets may have seen variations in trim levels and final-year availability.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, automotive manufacturers restructured their compact offerings in response to competition from Japanese brands and domestic rivals. The Tempo faced a challenging market, contributing to its discontinuation in 1994 as Ford redirected resources toward newer compact platforms and refreshed design language.
Summary
In sum, Ford produced an estimated 1.3–1.6 million Tempos in the U.S. and Canada, with the Mercury Topaz adding about 0.5–0.7 million. The Tempo/Topaz family likely totals around 1.8–2.3 million units in North America. While these numbers provide a sense of the model's scale, Ford does not publish a single definitive worldwide total for the Tempo alone, and estimates may vary by source.
How many Ford Tempos were sold?
Production figures
| Coupe | Yearly total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 72,311 | 339,087 |
| 1986 | 69,101 | 277,671 |
| 1987 | 70,164 | 282,632 |
| Total | 318,641 | 1,301,604 |
How much is a 1994 Ford Tempo worth?
The value of a used 1994 Ford Tempo ranges from $854 to $4,143, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.
Was the Ford Tempo a good car?
The Ford Tempo is a mediocre econemy car. It tends to understeer around corners often. It has zero power and is very slow. The interior is bland with grays and grays.
Is the Ford Tempo a collectors item?
Collector's Information: Assessing Value and Rarity
Today, while not commonly seen as a collector's item due to its mass production (with millions manufactured), well-preserved examples of the 1987 Ford Tempo can evoke nostalgia and interest among enthusiasts of 80s Americana.
