The Mondeo has sold over five million models in the UK since the model was launched almost 30 years ago and was popular among families. Production of the car at Ford’s Valencia plant will stop in early 2022 and bring the curtain down on one of the road’s most iconic models.
Experts at Rivervale Leasing has highlighted the Mondeo as one of the top 10 most in-demand cars since 2001.
Data from the DVLA showed a total of 678,528 Ford Mondeo cars were newly registered over the past two decades putting it ninth on the list.
In 1994 alone, 376,000 Mondeos were sold in the UK making it one of the most popular cars on the road.
However, sales figures had started to dwindle in recent years with just 87,000 a year sold in 2001.
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They have promised all cars will be available as electric or hybrid models by 2026 to ensure they are ready for the petrol and diesel car ban at the end of the decade.
Kieran Cahill, vice president of manufacturing at Ford of Europe said the end of the Mondeo was “another step” on the “electrification journey”.
He said: “Today is another step on Ford’s electrification journey, providing a bridge to an all-electric passenger vehicle future, and demonstrating our continuing commitment to our manufacturing operations in Valencia where we have invested around three billion US dollars since 2011.”
Ford said changing “customer preferences” was also to blame for the demise of the Mondeo.
Almost 40 percent of Fiords sales in Europe were from SUVs or crossover vehicles compared to 31 percent the year before.
Families have progressively moved over to new SUV cars such as the Ford Kuga which tends to offer more space.
Recent SMMT data puts the Ford Kuga as the ninth most popular new car sold in February with almost 1,000 leaving forecourts.
Ford has confirmed its Valencia plant will still remain in use with a move towards the brands electric future.
Instead of Mondeos, the plant will be used to build more hybrid engines and battery packs for upcoming electric models.
Ford Mondeo models are still available second hand with newer models generally ranging from £7,500 to £9,000.
However, Tom Leathes, expert at Motorway.co.uk has claimed even used car sales have been low in recent years.
He said: “SUVs have been eating the Mondeo’s lunch for years now.”