The Ford Mondeo has reached the end of the road, the company announced today.
The saloon car that became a byword for ‘Mondeo Man’ – the middle-ground voter that could swing elections – has been killed off by the rise in popularity of sports utility vehicles and the push towards electrification, the manufacturer has confirmed today.
It is to be ‘phased out’ by March next year. The firm blamed ‘changing fashions’ for the demise of the once popular model.
Mondeo Man to be killed off: Ford has confirmed the 29-year run for the once-popular family car will end next year when Mondeo production is halted for good
Ford has already announced it is moving towards an all-electric future in Britain and Continental Europe, selling only new plug-in hybrids from 2026 and with an intention to have a range of electric-only models by 2030.
One of the first combustion engine cars to get the chop as it looks to embark on a greener future is the iconic Mondeo.
The company said in a statement on Thursday: ‘As Ford moves to an all-electric passenger vehicle future, European consumer preferences continue to change.
‘In 2020, 39 per cent of Ford’s passenger vehicle sales were SUVs and crossovers – up eight percentage points from 2019.
‘Moreover, customers are showing more confidence in electrification technologies, with more than 50 percent of Kuga owners purchasing a Kuga plug-in hybrid.’
Landing the killer blow, it said: ‘As a result of this growing change in customer preference, Ford will phase out the Mondeo, its large car, at the end of March next year.
‘Ford’s other large crossover and multi-purpose vehicles – the seven-seat Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX – will continue in production, with full hybrid versions of both recently launched.’
The existing Mondeo will remain on sale in the UK until March 2022, when production will come to an end
The existing Mondeo – the fourth-generation car – is currently priced from £25,565
Ford recently tried to boost the appeal of the Mondeo with the introduction of hybrid versions. However, it did little to improve sales
Launched in 1993, the Mondeo was the first Ford vehicle to be hailed as a ‘global’ car.
Since its launch in Europe where it replaced the Ford Sierra, Mondeo sales have reached around five million to date.
It also had a successful run in racing competitions, winning the British Touring Car Championship in 2000 and featuring in other series across Europe.
The Mondeo even played a role in a Bond film, driven by Daniel Craig in his maiden appearance as 007 in 2006 movie Casino Royale.
The existing model remains on sale in the UK until March next year, with prices currently starting from £25,565.
The company said: ‘Ford is fully committed to evolving its passenger vehicle portfolio in Europe, strengthening its position with vehicles like the Kuga, Puma and Explorer PHEV.
‘The company is introducing new nameplates into Europe, with the outstanding all-electric Mustang Mach-E just being launched – and including the Mustang Mach-E GT coming later this year – and its first all-electric volume passenger vehicle coming to market in 2023.’
Swing voters – dubbed Mondeo Man because they represented ‘Middle Britain’ and the successor to Sierra Man – were cited as sweeping the moderate Tony Blair Labour government to a landslide victory in 1997
The Mondeo took the British Touring Car Championship title in 2000 in the hands of Alain Menu. Pictured: Menu’s teammate Anthony Reid, who finished as runner-up in the driver’s standings in the 2000 BTCC season
The Ford Mondeo has even played a role on the silver screen. It was used in 2006 Bond film Casino Royale, driven by Daniel Craig in his maiden appearance as 007
In 2001 Ford sold more than 86,500 Mondeos, but last year sales were down to a mere 2,400 units.
The Mondeo is currently in its fourth generation, with the most recent model launching in 2014 but failing to ignite interest from drivers.
Swing voters – dubbed Mondeo Man because they represented ‘Middle Britain’ and the successor to Sierra Man – were cited as sweeping the moderate Tony Blair Labour government to a landslide victory in 1997.
A Ford spokesman said: ‘Admittedly, 2020 was difficult all around, but the market segment in which Mondeo competes has been dwindling for years and is down about 80 percent since the start of the century.’
He explained: ‘Our rationale is pretty much the same as others have said recently… all down to changing customer preference as consumers opt for SUVs and crossovers, and the fact that we’re evolving our passenger vehicle range in Europe to meet those changing customer needs as we move to an all-electric future. ‘
Speculation about a Mondeo replacement in Europe is misplaced, said the company,
‘There will be no Mondeo replacement in Europe.’
The first-generation Mondeo was facelifted in 1997 with rounder looks. It was also sold as an estate versions (pictured)
A second-generation model was launched in 2000 and ran until 2007, replace by this third-gen version that was sold from 2007 to 2010
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