What was the last year the Ford 500 was made?
The Ford Five Hundred was last produced in 2007.
The Ford Five Hundred—often written as Ford Five Hundred or Ford Five Hundred—launched for the 2005 model year as Ford’s approach to a modern, full-size sedan. After 2007, Ford shifted the model’s branding, first renaming it Taurus X for 2008–2009 and later reviving the Taurus name in 2010 with an all-new design. In short, 2007 marked the final year of the Five Hundred as a standalone model.
Production history of the Ford Five Hundred
To understand why the model ended in 2007, it helps to map its development, branding changes, and the market context.
Production timeline
Before listing the key milestones, here is a concise timeline of the Five Hundred’s life:
- 2004: Production begins for the 2005 model year at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.
- 2005–2007: Sold in North America as the Ford Five Hundred, aimed at competing in the full-size sedan segment.
- 2008–2009: Rebranded and marketed as the Taurus X, a wagon/crossover variant derived from the same platform.
These milestones show that the Five Hundred existed as a distinct model only for a short period before being folded into a different nameplate strategy.
Branding and market context
Before the list, consider the market forces and branding decisions that shaped the Five Hundred’s fate:
- Sales performance: The Five Hundred drew modest demand in a crowded full-size sedan market.
- Brand consolidation: Ford aimed to leverage the Taurus name’s familiarity to simplify its lineup.
- Legacy and revival: The Taurus name returned later with a redesigned sedan in 2010, continuing Ford’s large-car strategy without the Five Hundred badge.
Concluding: The branding shift away from the Five Hundred reflected broader market and corporate strategy, leading to its discontinuation after 2007 and the subsequent use of Taurus X before Taurus returned in 2010.
Summary
The Ford Five Hundred’s standalone production ended in 2007. It was subsequently renamed Taurus X for 2008–2009, and the Taurus nameplate was revived in 2010 with a new design. The 2007 model year therefore marks the last year of the Five Hundred as its own model.
