What happened to the Ford 500?
The Five Hundred was renamed to Taurus for the 2008 model year, and the Five Hundred nameplate was retired. The Taurus lineage continued through most of the 2010s in the United States before the name was discontinued in 2019.
Origins of the Five Hundred
The Ford Five Hundred was introduced for the 2005 model year as a large, front-/all-wheel-drive sedan designed to compete with other full-size family sedans. It was built at Ford’s North American plants and shared its platform with related models in Ford’s lineup. The car was marketed as a spacious, feature-rich option in Ford’s sedan lineup, aiming to offer a more modern alternative to traditional large sedans.
Defining characteristics of the era
Before outlining the transition, here are some key aspects that defined the Five Hundred at launch:
- Large interior with ample rear-seat space
- Front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive
- V6 engine options (initially around 3.0L, later variants)
- Safety features and value-focused positioning for the segment
Concluding note: While the Five Hundred offered a competitive package, sales did not meet Ford’s expectations, prompting a brand refresh rather than a long career under the Five Hundred name.
The Renaming to Taurus and the Transition
To capitalize on name recognition and a storied sedan heritage, Ford decided to rebrand the Five Hundred as the Taurus for the 2008 model year. The move was part of Ford’s broader strategy to unify its sedan lineup under stronger, more familiar branding and to refresh styling cues to appeal to buyers seeking a more traditional large-car identity.
Timeline of the transition
Before outlining the timeline, this list summarizes the major milestones in the Five Hundred-to-Taurus transition:
- 2005: Ford introduces the Five Hundred for the 2005 model year as a modern full-size sedan with AWD options
- 2007: Ford confirms the Five Hundred will be renamed Taurus for the 2008 model year
- 2008: The car hits showrooms as the Ford Taurus with updated styling and branding
- 2010: A redesigned Taurus debuts with more refined styling and updated powertrain options
- 2019: Ford discontinues the Taurus in the United States as part of a broader shift away from cars toward SUVs and trucks
Concluding note: The renaming preserved the core platform and size while swapping the badge, aligning Ford’s flagship sedan with a well-known name during the 2000s and 2010s.
The Taurus Era and Its Evolution
Under the Taurus name, the model continued through the 2010s with incremental improvements, including updated styling, more premium interior appointments, and the addition of features like enhanced infotainment and, in some trims, all-wheel drive. The Taurus competed with other full-size sedans and aimed to offer a comfortable, feature-rich alternative to sportier and more upscale rivals.
Key milestones in the Taurus lifecycle
Before listing the highlights, this paragraph introduces the major phases of the Taurus after the rename:
- 2010: A more modern, redesigned Taurus debuts, broadening appeal with updated aesthetics and features
- 2013–2014: Incremental updates improve technology and efficiency across trims
- Mid-to-late 2010s: Ford emphasizes SUVs and crossovers, contributing to slower sedan sales across the lineup
Concluding note: The Taurus remained Ford’s primary full-size sedan for much of the 2010s, but pressure from the SUV craze and changing buyer preferences ultimately reduced its market presence.
End of the Line and Legacy
In the late 2010s, Ford announced a continued shift away from passenger cars in favor of sport-utilities and trucks. The Taurus was discontinued in the United States after the 2019 model year, marking the end of the modern Taurus era and leaving Ford with fewer traditional large sedans in its lineup. The Five Hundred name, as such, is now a historical footnote in Ford’s model history, with the Taurus name carrying the lineage forward for more than a decade before the brand moved away from that segment altogether in the U.S.
Summary
The Ford Five Hundred did not simply vanish; it evolved into the Taurus in 2008, extending the same underlying platform under a new badge. The Taurus continued through the 2010s, reflecting Ford’s shift toward SUVs and crossovers, and was finally discontinued in 2019 in the U.S. The Five Hundred name faded, but its legacy lived on through the Taurus lineup for more than a decade.
Why was the Ford Five Hundred discontinued?
The Five Hundred's 203hp engine and unassuming styling became points of criticism, and sales fell markedly short of company projections — requiring substantive discounts by its second model year.
Did Ford stop making Shelby GT500?
Yes, the Ford-produced Shelby GT500 was discontinued after the 2022 model year. However, there are reports and rumors that a new GT500 is expected to return as a 2026 model year vehicle, possibly with a different name.
- Discontinued after 2022: The last generation of the Ford Shelby GT500 was produced for the 2022 model year and was not offered for 2023 or 2024.
- Rumors of a return: There are widespread reports and leaks suggesting a new version will be launched for the 2026 model year.
- Possible name change: It is rumored that the new model may not be called the GT500, but it is expected to be based on the newer Mustang platform.
When did Ford stop making the 500?
The last Ford 500 was made in 2007, marking the final model year for the car. Production ended in April 2007, and the model was renamed the Ford Taurus for the 2008 model year, which featured an updated engine.
- Final model year: 2007
- Production end date: April 12, 2007
- Successor: The Ford Taurus, which returned for the 2008 model year
- Reason for change: The 500 was re-engineered and renamed the Taurus, likely due to a combination of customer feedback regarding its underpowered engine and the slow acceleration of some versions.
What did the Ford 500 replace?
When Ford did finally put the 500 into production, a large amount of that interest died because the production car had had its styling toned down and the drivetrain switched from RWD to FWD. This car was actually supposed to replace the Crown Victoria as Ford's big car before 2007.
