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Why was the Ford Tempo discontinued?

The Ford Tempo, a compact car produced by Ford Motor Company from 1984 to 1994, was discontinued due to declining sales and a shift in consumer preferences towards larger, more feature-rich vehicles. The Tempo's uninspired design, lack of innovation, and inability to keep up with the competition ultimately led to its demise.


Declining Sales and Changing Consumer Preferences


The Ford Tempo was introduced in the mid-1980s as a replacement for the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. While it initially found some success, sales began to decline in the early 1990s as consumers increasingly favored larger, more stylish, and better-equipped vehicles. The Tempo's basic, utilitarian design and lack of significant updates over its 10-year production run made it less appealing to buyers seeking more modern and feature-rich cars.


Inability to Keep Up with the Competition


As the compact car market became more competitive, the Tempo struggled to keep up with newer, more innovative models from other automakers. Competitors such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima offered better performance, more advanced technology, and a more refined driving experience, making the Tempo appear outdated and less desirable.


Lack of Innovation and Upgrades


Throughout its production run, the Tempo received only minor updates and improvements, with no significant redesigns or major feature additions. This lack of innovation and failure to keep up with changing consumer preferences contributed to the Tempo's declining sales and eventual discontinuation.


Conclusion


The discontinuation of the Ford Tempo was the result of a combination of factors, including declining sales, changing consumer preferences, and the Tempo's inability to keep up with more competitive and innovative models in the compact car market. The Tempo's basic design and lack of significant updates over its 10-year production run ultimately led to its demise, as consumers sought out more modern and feature-rich vehicles.

What car replaced the Ford Tempo?


For the 1995 model year, the Tempo/Topaz four-door sedan was replaced by the Ford Contour (and Mercury Mystique), developed from the Ford Mondeo; the two-door Tempo was not directly replaced.



When was Tempo discontinued?


Tempo was developed by Barry Fern and marketed by Lois Wagner in 1986 and was the most successful new product introduction into the snack market that decade. The Tempo was superseded by a bar called 5 Star in 2017.



Is the 1993 Ford Tempo reliable?


Among the 99 owners who provided feedback on the 1993 Ford Tempo for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 88% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and value to be its strongest features and styling to be its weakest.



Why did Ford discontinue the Tempo?


As the 1990s progressed, consumer preferences began shifting towards larger vehicles, and Ford made the strategic decision to discontinue the Tempo and Topaz models. On that fateful day of May 20th, 1994, the final examples of these iconic cars were meticulously crafted, signaling the end of their production run.



What was the major automotive flop for Ford?


The Edsel was supposed to feature innovative technology, such as an advanced push-button transmission and an onboard computer system, but many of these innovations were not as functional or user-friendly as they were advertised to be. As a result, the vehicle failed to impress consumers, leading to poor sales.



What is the mpg on a 1993 Ford Tempo GL?


Fuel & MPG

Fuel typeRegular unleaded
EPA city/highway MPG21/30 MPG
EPA combined MPG24 MPG



What was the fastest car made in 1984?


The 1984 Pontiac Tojan Is the Production Car That Beat the F40 to 200mph. Forget what the car books and the Internet tell you. The first production car to hit the magic 200mph mark didn't come from Maranello, in the shapely silhouette of the impressive F40.



What was the Ford Tempo engine in 1984?


The 2.3 L HSC was introduced in 1984 in the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz. Bore and stroke are 93.47 mm × 83.82 mm (3.68 in × 3.3 in), for a total displacement of 2,301 cc (140.4 cu in). This engine produced 90 hp (67 kW) and 125 lb⋅ft (169 N⋅m) of torque.



Do they still make Ford Tempo?


The Ford Tempo is a front-engine, front-drive, five passenger, two- or four-door sedan manufactured and marketed by Ford for model years 1984-1994, over a single generation.



What happened to the Ford Tempo?


The Tempo and Topaz were replaced in 1995 by the "world car" platform sold in North America as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. Although built on a different platform, the aerodynamic Ford Sierra was somewhat of a European counterpart to the Tempo.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.