Which Ford car became the first front-wheel-drive model built by Ford of Europe?

The Ford Taunus P4 became the first front-wheel-drive model built by Ford of Europe.

Ford introduced the Taunus P4 in 1962. It was based on a compact front-wheel-drive design originally developed by Ford in the United States, but production took place in Germany. The car used a V4 engine and was sold as part of the Taunus range, a long-running Ford nameplate in continental Europe.

The P4 designation identifies the fourth-generation postwar Taunus project, while the car is also commonly called the Taunus 12M. It should not be confused with the later Ford Taunus P6, which also used front-wheel drive but was a separate model.

Ford’s European operations later produced many more front-wheel-drive cars, including models designed specifically for European markets. The Taunus P4 marks an early step in that transition.