Ford Motor Company, with over 120 years of history, has inevitably experienced its fair share of controversies. Here are 40 examples of the company's models that have sparked disputes in one way or another, listed in chronological order.
The Model T, now celebrated as one of Ford's most iconic cars, was initially met with skepticism. In 1908, cars were seen as noisy, smelly, and frighteningly fast. Although the Model T wasn't a specific target, its existence contributed to the controversy surrounding cars at the time. Henry Ford was criticized for not updating the Model T soon enough, as it remained in production for 19 years, allowing General Motors to overtake Ford in the US market.
The Zephyr, introduced in 1936, was a remarkable car with a V12 engine, a feature that was both its most appealing and most controversial aspect. The V12 engine had a significant flaw: the exhaust gases were ported through the cylinder blocks, causing the water in the radiator to heat up. Although Lincoln later addressed this issue, the Zephyr never fully recovered from its reputation for unreliability.
View Price on AmazonSometimes, controversies arise between manufacturers and their customers. The Parklane, a two-door station wagon, is a prime example. It sold so poorly that Ford only offered it for the 1956 model year. Ford tried again with the Del Rio, which lasted for two model years (1957 and 1958) before being discontinued.
The P2 generation Taunus, sold from 1957 to 1960, was a shock to those familiar with earlier German Fords. The new design featured lots of chrome, prominent tailfins, and a frontal resemblance to the contemporary Mercury Monterey. The P2 was nicknamed the "Barocktaunus" or "baroque Taunus" due to its flamboyant design, but it was also praised for its excellent ride quality, earning it the nickname "fliegende Teppich" or "flying carpet".
The Edsel brand, introduced in 1958 and discontinued just two years later, was a major disaster for Ford. Possible reasons for its failure include incoherent marketing, a shift in customer preferences towards smaller cars, low quality, and dubious styling. The Edsel brand was Ford's first significant failure, demonstrating that even a wealthy company with talented staff can sometimes make grave mistakes.
Source: autocar.co.uk
