In 1925 the German FORD Motor Company was founded in Berlin, and its assembly shops were at the west port in Berlin. In 1931 the production moved from Berlin to the new factory in Cologne which was built in 1930. The models preceeding the first FORD TAUNUS in 1939 were the V8 in 1932, the FORD RHEINLAND and the FORD KÖLN in 1933 and the FORD EIFFEL in 1935. The so called ‘Hunchback-Taunus’ was equipped with a 34 PS (b.h.p.) producing 1.2 liter 4 cylinder inline engine, with a maximum speed of 106 km/h and cost RM (Reichsmark) 2870. After the Second World War the production was taken up again in 1948. The TAUNUS Standard, the TAUNUS Spezial and the TAUNUS De Luxe were built up untill 1952.

From 1952 to 1968 all the german FORD cars had the name 'TAUNUS' and the model names 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, and 26M. The ‘M’ stood for 'Masterpieces'.

In 1952 the first TAUNUS 12M came out of the assembly lines. The 1.2 liter engine now had 38 PS (b.h.p.). In 1959 the appearance of the 12M was newly designed. The 15M was added with a 1.5 litre 55 PS (b.h.p.) engine to the range of models as well. Both models had the famous TAUNUS globe as their trademark, which gave them the nickname as well.

Both, the 12M and the 15M were modernized again in 1957. The TAUNUS 17M with a 1.7 liter 60 PS (b.h.p.) powerful engine was also added to the model series as the bigger brother. In 1959 the 12M was also available with the 1.5 liter engine. In 1960 the new 17M was introduced with a complete new aerodynamic outfit. The 12M was also completely modified. In 1962 the 12M came out with a new 1.2 liter four cylinder engine: a 40 PS (b.h.p.) powerful V4 engine! In 1964, the new 17M and the 20M were developed out of the previous 17M. The new bodyworks of the two models nearly had no differences. The 20M was known as the FASTER brother of the 17M. The 20M was equipped with a new 2.0 liter V6 engine that had a tremendous 90 PS (b.h.p.) (!) and was developed from the 1.7 liter V4 engine of the 17M that made anyhow 70 PS (b.h.p.).

In 1966 last changes were made on the 12M and 15M, which were replaced by the new TAUNUS generation in 1970. In 1967 a new 17M was built again, which then also was available with a 2.0 or a 2.3 liter V6 engine just like the 20M in 1968. In 1969 another new masterpiece was added: the TAUNUS 26M. It was powered by a 2.6 liter V6 unit, which made 125PS (b.h.p.) and was also available for the 20M. The 17M, 20M and 26M were replaced by the new series FORD CONSUL and FORD GRANADA in 1972.

In 1970 a complete new TAUNUS was released into the market: It was designed shorter, wider, flatter - the TAUNUS TC. It already beared similarity to the english counterpart FORD CORTINA. It was motorized with new 4 cylinder inline engines with 1.3 liters (59 HP) or 1.6 liters (72 HP) or with the V6 engines with 2.0 liters (90 HP) or 2.3 liters (108 HP). It was available with the trims "basis", L, XL, GT and GXL and the bodywork variations Limousine (Saloon/Sedan), Coupé (Fastback) or Turnier (Estate Car/Station Waggon). In 1973 it was replaced by the TAUNUS I who's apperance was hardly changed but which was eqipped with a complete new trim. The trim variations L, XL and GXL were available and a new chassis too. In 1976 the last TAUNUS series was introduced: the TAUNUS II, which had nearly the same trim than the TAUNUS I, but it's appearance was changed totally. It was available with the trim variations "basis", L, GL and Ghia and with the 4 cylinder engines 1.3 liters (55 HP), 1.6 liters (72 HP) and 2.0 liters (98 HP) or the V6 engines 2.0 liters (90 HP) and 2.3 liters (108 HP). This TAUNUS was then completely identical with the english FORD CORTINA. It was revised once again in 1979, whith few changes in the bodywork alterations on the motor, which allowed the engines to become more economical or powerful.

From 1976 to 1978 the most plain, most elegant - simply the most beautiful TAUNUS was built. With this model the old, blue FORD oval emblem struck back. This TAUNUS has a nearly square body with curved lines above the wheels. The proportions make it really sporty: wide, very flat, with a huge bonnet/ hood and a short boot/ trunk. Those days it already had the technical mastery, which usually only existed in the Swabian aircraft carriers. Inside it is luxurious, comfy and spacious.

The task for the design engineers was most likely: 'You have to develop a car, that is as comfortable as a sofa, as spacious as a regular bus and as racy as a Formula-1 car.' Although this TAUNUS was a well sold and used vehicle, you don't see it very often today. Unfortunately it very rarely has made the jump to a car of cult or a vintage car. A reason for this may be of course the idiotical taxes for old cars in Germany, but probably it was too 'normal' for most people: It doesen's have the expencive ambience of a Mercedes Benz, the few number of units of a Ferrari, and the international fame of a VW Beetle or an IFA Trabant.

With this model, the FORDS, that were built in England, Belgium and Germany, were identical to eachother. The english TAUNUS was called FORD CORTINA. In England the last TAUNUS model (1979-1982) was also available as a CORTINA PICKUP.

In 1982 the model series FORD TAUNUS was (unfortunately) replaced by the FORD SIERRA.