Ford's Best-Selling Models Of All Time

Ford's Best-Selling Models of All Time

Ford sometimes gets a bad rep—famous for its "Fix Or Repair Daily" moniker—but it's also the quintessential American car manufacturer, renowned for the Ford Mustang, the Model T, and the F-150—the pickup truck of pickup trucks. Ford has produced some of the most legendary motors over the past 120 years, from All-American to all-electric.

Here are some of the best-selling Ford models of all time.

Ford EcoSport

Released in 2003, the Ford EcoSport was a late bloomer to the North American market—only arriving on the continent in 2018, four years after it was discontinued globally, having been originally released in 2003 in Brazil, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Despite this late entry into the North American market, the EcoSport sold over 2 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Ford subcompact crossovers to ever hit the road.

Fernando S. Aldado, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford S-Max 

Sold exclusively in Ford's popular European market, the S-Max was developed as a market stop-gap between a sporty sedan and a spacious minivan. Designed to give users the best of both worlds, the Ford S-Max was Ford's first "kinetic design" styling, with angular headlights, large wheel arches, and trapezoidal grilles. 

The S-Max filled the gap in the market perfectly, selling over 2.1 million units worldwide.

Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford C-Max

Europe seems to have been Ford's testing ground in the early 2000s, as the C-Max was yet another car released in Europe first. The compact hatchback is something of a European specialty, as few road users need a large minivan, but some need something more spacious than an ultra-compact car. The C-Max was introduced in the United States in 2012 as part of its first line of hybrid-only vehicles.

The C-Max sold over 2.5 million units, with its middle-of-the-road sizing proving popular among Europeans.

Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Edge

The Ford Edge was the first mid-size crossover SUV sold by Ford in North America, characterized by its large wheel arches, plentiful trunk space, and the ability to seat five, fitting into Ford's SUV market between the smaller Ford Escape and the larger Explorer. In 2023, Ford released a China-only version of the Edge with three rows of seats and a choice between gas and hybrid powertrains. North America has yet to see this newest generation of the Edge.

It gave Ford the "edge", you might say, over its competition, selling an impressive 3 million units.

Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Galaxy

The Ford Galaxy was a four-door minivan produced by Ford from the mid-1990s till 2023. As the first Ford minivan to be produced and marketed outside of North America, the Ford Galaxy was slightly uncharted waters for Ford's European branch. 

Despite this, the four-door, seven-seater performed well in the market, selling over 3 million units—not to be confused with the Ford Galaxie, which is another popular Ford, but a sedan from the 1970s.

Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Falcon 

Going way back to the 1960s with this one, the Ford Falcon was the first compact car to be released by any of the large American auto manufacturers. Although it was only produced in North America for 10 years, various body styles were available, including either a two-door sedan or a four-door station wagon. Ford Australia took up the mantle and sold the Falcon from 1972 to 2016. 

Because of this fractured ending and then the re-releasing of the popular Falcon, it sold 3.5 million units.

sv1ambo, Flickr

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is one of the most popular SUV crossovers of the modern era and has enjoyed multi-generational and international success since its release in 2001. Another size up from the EcoSport, but a step down from the Edge, the Escape has been available as a hybrid model since 2004 and its fourth generation (developed in 2020) is available as either a gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid vehicle. 

This wide variety of power options and an international market that includes China, Taiwan, and Australia makes it easy to see why the Escape has sold over 4 million units.

Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Crown Victoria

The eponymous Ford Crown Victoria, or "Crown Vic" for short, is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable and popular vehicles that Ford has ever produced. From its run as America's police car to the taxi cab of New York City, the Crown Vic served Ford well in its 20 years of production—the Crown Victoria was discontinued in 2012. 

In its 20 years of chasing criminals and transporting New Yorkers and tourists, Ford sold 4.6 million units of their infamous Crown Vic.

LouieRBLX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Mondeo

The French nomenclature of the Ford Mondeo may give this away—Ford designed the Mondeo to be sold internationally with very little changes needed to be made by their international partners. 

It was sold throughout the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe with great success. The everyday-driver sedan sold over 5 million units from 1993 till it was discontinued in 2021 in the US and in 2022 in Europe.

LSDSL, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Model A

This blast from the past is one of Ford's first cars: It replaced the first ever car Ford produced, the Model T. Despite only being built for five years between 1927 and 1932, the Model A sold like hotcakes, billed as an affordable town car ranging in price from just $385 ($6,800 in today's money) to $1400 (about $25,000 in today's money). It was the first Ford to use standard controls like a conventional clutch and brake pedal.

The Model A sold an astonishing 5.8 million units—a worthy successor to Ford's first-ever car.

Riley from Christchurch, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger has had two stints in the North American market. In 1983, it was released as a compact pickup truck in a range that was produced until 2010. Then, in 2018, Ford re-introduced the Ranger as a pickup with a full-sized bed. Available in the two-door Supercab version or a large four-door Supercrew version with a six-foot bed, the latter Ranger model was designed primarily as a work truck.

Despite being released twice, the older Ranger is widely considered the more popular of the two, but overall, Ford sold over 7 million units of this pickup.

sicarr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Taurus

Somewhat revolutionary upon its release in 1986, the Ford Taurus was the first Ford vehicle to be produced using statistical methods to ensure efficiency. Six generations of the Taurus were produced from '86 till 2019, when the model was discontinued after Ford decided to refocus on SUVs.

Still, the Taurus' near 30-year production line saw over 7 million units sold.

Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Explorer

First released in 1990, the Ford Explorer was Ford's first four-door SUV. Marketed as a do-it-all car that could get you from town to the trails and back again, this multi-purpose vehicle was heavily used as a daily driver since it was hugely family-friendly. 

The Explorer was just the bridge that Ford SUV owners were looking for; now in its sixth generation, the Explorer has sold over 8.2 million units worldwide.

Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Transit

From transporting goods to transporting cargo and even making it a live-in vehicle, the iconic Ford Transit van has been at the forefront of Ford's van production since its release in 1965. Seeing the huge market potential for the van, Ford Transits come in all manner of configurations, from hi-tops to longer wheelbases (used as people carrying vans), or fitted with shelving for contractors and tradespeople.

Despite coming up on its 60th year, the Ford Transit is just as reliable a vehicle now as it was back in '65, regardless of what you're using it for. The workhorse van has sold more than 8.5 million times, crossing that threshold in 2015.

Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Mustang

Possibly the most quintessential American car ever produced, the Ford Mustang was first released in 1964, making it one of the longest continuously-produced cars in American history. The Mustang sold over 2 million units within two years of launching, making it the most successful launch since the Model A.

Now in its seventh generation (and even a "Mach E" electric version), the Ford Mustang has sold over 10 million units.

Hugh Llewelyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Focus

The Ford Focus was first released in 1998 and was one of the first introductions Ford enthusiasts received to the Ford company of the new millennium. When it was released in Europe a year later, it won the European Car Of The Year Award and was subsequently released in the United States in 2000. 

Now in its final year of production—ending in 2025—Ford's 2022 pivot toward crossover and electric vehicles has rendered the Focus unfortunately out of... focus, as it were. Still, Ford sold over 16 million units of the Focus in its quarter-century on the roads.

M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ford Fiesta

While not a direct translation, the Ford Fiesta was a feisty little car with plenty of pull in the automotive market. Designed to be a smaller, less expensive version of the Focus, the Fiesta was the smallest car that Ford produced in 1976 and sold over 16 million units until it was discontinued in 2023.

Rutger van der Maar, Flickr

Ford Model T

The most influential car of all time: the Ford Model T. Released in 1908, the Model T was the first mass-produced automobile in the world and the first ever car to be made on an assembly line, rather than being handmade. It can be argued that the Model T changed the course of history and changed transportation forever by making it available to the masses.

Until 1972, the Ford Model T was the most sold car in history, only being surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle. The Model T sold an astonishing 16.5 million units until production ceased in 1927.

Cars Down Under, Flickr

Ford Escort

The Ford Escort was released in 1968 as a family vehicle and sold particularly well in the United Kingdom—frequently finding itself among the best-selling British cars in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. In the United States, however, the Ford Escort took a little longer to come to market, being released as the name of a range of vehicles sold in the US from 1981 to 2003, as a replacement for the legendary-for-all-the-wrong-reasons Ford Pinto.

Since its production began in 1968, Ford sold an incredible 20 million of these cars, making it the second best-seller in the company's history.

Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Ford F-Series

And the best-selling Ford of all time is... the Ford F-Series. First introduced by Ford in 1948, the F-Series has been characterized by a number of incredible models over the years: The 1957 Third Generation F-Series was a popular one, and of course, the most recent Ford F-150 series is a continuous best-seller. 

It's America's best-selling pickup truck since 1977 and the best-selling vehicle in the entire country, every year, since 1981. Amazingly, the Ford F-Series has sold over 40 million units since its release in 1948.

Gold Pony, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

An Explosive Seller

When Ford released the Pinto in 1971, it was supposed to be a small, subcompact family car that was designed to be an everyday driver. Ford's first attempt at a subcompact car in North America, it sold excellently during its first two years on the market: over 800,000 units were sold. 

Unfortunately for Ford, the Pinto's success was relatively short-lived. On May 28, 1972, Lilly Gray was driving in her Ford Pinto (just six months old at the time), when her engine stalled and stumbled. A 1962 Ford Galaxie broke hard and rear-ended Ms Gray's Pinto, which spontaneously burst into flames. Gray escaped with her life, but her passenger was left with burns over 90% of his body.  This would be the first of many incidents of Ford's exploding gas tank on its Pinto models, which would result in multiple deaths and injuries over the next several years.

Unfortunately, the Ford Pinto's gas tank was placed on the right side of the vehicle, just above the rear axle. When the vehicle was rear-ended by anyone, the tank was driven into the axle and the sparks caused the ignition of a fire, which quickly spread throughout the vehicle. Ford was forced to recall all 1.5 million Pintos that were released between 1971 and 1976.

Did you have any of these models? Do you still own one of these best-sellers?

Greg Olotka, Flickr