The Probe was produced together by Ford and Mazda. It was the first time ever that a Japanese automaker had come into the United Stats to make a car for a U.S. affiliate. The first concept Probe was first created in 1979. It was extremely aerodynamic. In 1982 gas prices were through the roof and Ford began to work on what was going to be the next generation Mustang. The Probe was meant to replace the old, heavy rear wheel drive muscle car design with a modern, fuel efficient, light  front wheel drive model.

The new Mustang(Probe), MX-6, and 626 were essentially the same. The only difference between the vehicles was the outer body shell. Internally the three vehicles were almost exactly the same. With the Probe's combination of sleek but aggressive lines, the car was rather unique and expected to be extremely like able. 

However, when news that the new Mustang would lack a V8, be front wheel drive and be made by a Japanese company hit the public, there was immense criticism mounted against it.  After the press release of the new Mustang came out, the current Mustang's sales rose steeply and the future of the gas guzzling V8s was secured. Ford was faced with an enormous letter writing campaign from traditionally Mustang fans, and decided to work on a new design for the Mustang. Now that this car wasn't going to be the next mustang it needed a name. Ford decided on "Probe" because they had been using that name on all their futuristic aerodynamic concept cars and this one, for the first time actually made it to production