When did Ford stop making the Fairmont?
Ford stopped making the Fairmont after the 1983 model year, with production ending in 1983 as Ford replaced it with the Tempo for the 1984 model year.
The Ford Fairmont was introduced in 1978 as the North American version of Ford's Cortina lineup. It carried through several updates and, along with the Mercury Zephyr variant, served as Ford's compact offering in the early 1980s before being supplanted by a newer front-wheel-drive design.
Timeline of the Fairmont’s production
Key dates illustrate the scope of the model's run and the transition to the Tempo.
- 1978: The Fairmont debuts in North America as a compact sedan (with wagon variants) and is closely related to the Cortina/Zephyr lineup.
- Early 1980s: Mid‑cycle updates bring styling and option changes, including the Fairmont Futura two‑door coupe variant.
- 1983: Last model year for the Fairmont; production winds down as Ford plans a replacement.
- 1984: The Ford Tempo is introduced, replacing the Fairmont in Ford’s compact-car lineup.
These milestones show how the Fairmont’s run ended as Ford shifted to the Tempo and a modern front‑wheel‑drive compact strategy.
Why Ford ended the Fairmont and what came next
Context on the rationale behind the shift to the Tempo and the benefits for Ford’s lineup.
- The Tempo offered front‑wheel drive, improved packaging, and better fuel efficiency compared with the rear‑wheel‑drive Fox platform used by the Fairmont.
- Regulatory and market pressures in the early 1980s favored newer, more efficient designs, prompting Ford to consolidate its compact offerings around the Tempo.
- The Tempo aligned Ford with a broader corporate platform strategy, using updated engines and styling to stay competitive in the evolving market.
The change reflected broader industry trends of the era, including demand for more efficient, better-handling small cars with modern styling.
Notes on regional variations
In markets outside North America, Cortina-derived models continued under different names for longer in some cases, but the North American Fairmont line ended in 1983 as the Tempo took over the role.
Summary
In brief, Ford discontinued the Fairmont after the 1983 model year, with production ending in 1983. The Tempo replaced it for the 1984 model year, marking Ford’s shift to a newer, more efficient compact car platform in the United States.
What is the difference between the Ford Falcon and Ford Fairmont?
The Ford Fairmont is a full-size car that was built by Ford Australia as an upmarket model of the Ford Falcon from 1965 to 2008. It featured a higher level of standard equipment than corresponding Falcon models of the same series.
Was the Ford Fairmont a good car?
Reception. Contemporary reviews were generally favorable, with many commenting on the "European" feel of the car and comparing it to the Volvo 200 series. The 1978 Fairmont has been called the "most efficient Ford family (sedan) ever built from a space-per-weight perspective."
What year did Ford stop making the Fairmont?
Ford did plenty of commercials for their new compact coups and sedans leaving the Fairmont. And Zephr to be forgotten to history although the Fairmont. Name would never return the Futura returned in
What replaced the Ford Fairmont?
The Fairmont, along with its Mercury Zephyr counterpart, were among the inaugural models of the Ford Fox platform. Ford replaced the Fairmont with the Tempo for 1984 after producing over 1.5 million units.
