Ford Goes Insane, Revives Taurus/Sable Names

[Foolish]

WTF are they thinking? (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=23766)


Ford Five Hundred to be renamed the Taurus

<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="128"> <tbody><tr><td>http://www.chicagobusiness.com/images/news/23766.gif</td></tr><tr><td class="smaller">Ford 500</td></tr></tbody></table>
(AP) — Ford Motor Co. will rename its slow-selling and locally made Five Hundred model the Taurus, a name Ford previously used for a car that became the nation's top-seller, two company officials said Tuesday.
The officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition they not be identified by name because the official announcement had not yet been made.
The Taurus, considered by some the car that saved Ford, revolutionized the way autos look and feel when it was introduced in 1985.
The Dearborn-based automaker ceased production of the Taurus in October after 21 years and sales of nearly 7 million, perplexing many industry analysts and former Ford executives who said the brand name had great value.<!-- Begin Floating Content -->
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Ford spokesman Jim Cain would not confirm that the Taurus name will be brought back, but said new Chief Executive Alan Mulally has been interested in the Taurus ever since arriving from aviation giant Boeing Co. last year.
Cain said the company would make news at the Chicago Auto Show later this week, but he would not say what it was.
``It will be announced in Chicago, whatever it is. I'm not confirming or denying,'' he said.
The Five Hundred, built on Volvo architecture, sold moderately well in 2005, its first full year on the market, but sales nose-dived last year to about 84,000 from almost 108,000.
The Five Hundred, along with the Mercury Montego sedan and the Ford Freestyle wagon are assembled at the renovated Ford plant at 130th Street and Torrence Avenue.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/images/random/gewgaw02.gifRelated story: Outlook 'bleak' for Ford (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?article_id=27210&postDate=2007-02-03%22)
It will get a new, more powerful engine and some cosmetic updates for the 2008 model year, when the name change likely is to take place. The new version will be in showrooms this summer, company officials have said.
The Taurus, called a ``jellybean'' or ``flying potato'' when it first was introduced because of its futuristic curved design, was an immediate hit, with buyers snapping up more than 263,000 in 1986, its first full year on the market.
It became the best-selling car in America in 1992 with sales of nearly 410,000, unseating the Honda Accord just as Japanese imports were starting to take hold in the U.S., and it held the top spot for five straight years until it was supplanted by the Toyota Camry in 1997. Even last year, it sold 175,000 models in September, mainly to rental car and other fleet buyers.
Ford also sold another 2 million Mercury Sables, the Taurus' nearly identical twin. It is likely that the Five Hundred's Mercury counterpart, the Montego, will be renamed the Sable.
The company was losing billions in the early 1980s when Taurus was just an idea. Philip Caldwell, chief executive at the time, challenged designers and engineers to come up with a radically different car that would return Ford to profitability.
Last year, Ford lost $12.7 billion, and it was forced to mortgage its factories to set up a credit line of more than $20 billion as it undergoes a radical restructuring plan.
The Taurus, redesigned in 1996, became a symbol of the company's current ills. It was left almost unchanged for 10 years with little advertising support as the company focused on high-profit trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Ford, left with few desirable cars, was caught flat-footed this year when consumer tastes shifted away from trucks. Its sales dropped 8 percent last year as buyers went to more fuel-efficient models made mainly by Asian brands.
Mulally, tapped to rescue the company, helped revolutionize product development at Boeing in part by taking inspiration from the broad, team-based approach Ford used to create the Taurus in the 1980s.
Ironically, those ideas failed to catch on at the automaker, some industry observers say. Mulally, who in the 1990s managed development of Boeing's enormously successful 777, applied the Taurus ideas to that project.
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Discuss.

[GhostMercury]

Haha that is so dumb

[boostdprotegelx]

i fucking love my taurus. no car will ever compete w/ this one. not even my protege. but if they're gonna bring the fucker back, they should do it old style, circa 1993 ish. best years. motors and all.

[02PROTEGE2.0]

If it helps. i mean they're right, Taurus sold very very well...

If they bring back the taurus, they should bring back a Taurus SHO... =)

[evilmonkeyMSP]

they arent bringing back anything....the 500 is selling like shit so they're just going to put a Taurus badge on it now and hope sales pick up...

[winty87]

How bout they bring over their Euro cars and the FPV's?

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b196/WintyMP3/FPV.jpg


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b196/WintyMP3/fpvgtp05_011600.jpg

[Foolish]

There has been talk of a 500-based SHO. Since the car uses the Volvo platform, and Volvo has the latest iteration of the Yamaha motor in one of their vehicles already, it seems possible.

The Taurus sold really well for a long time, but at the end, they died the horrible automotive death of stagnation and rental car Hell. I think the Taurus name has lost any positive connotation it ever had.

If the 500 isn't selling, slapping the name of an outdated old model on it isn't going to save it. Morons.

[moxnix]

I think it is a good plan.

The Five Hundred currently has no name recognition but the Taurus name is well know.

[boostdprotegelx]

There has been talk of a 500-based SHO. Since the car uses the Volvo platform, and Volvo has the latest iteration of the Yamaha motor in one of their vehicles already, it seems possible.

The Taurus sold really well for a long time, but at the end, they died the horrible automotive death of stagnation and rental car Hell. I think the Taurus name has lost any positive connotation it ever had.

If the 500 isn't selling, slapping the name of an outdated old model on it isn't going to save it. Morons.
where i do agree w/ you somewhat. i disagree too.

the older taurus' still cling to their name.. i,.e- the ones i mentioned earlier. but as the cars got newer, they got shittier too. i think for each year newer, went more lousy cars. i'll stand by it, the older ones are the best. ands still hold their name. new ones-eat shit.

no, it probably won't save it..not now. everyone know's it's still a 500. not a taurus.

[BadKarma]

Our company car is a Taurus, and I like it a lot... Shame that this isn't actually a new Taurus, and it's just a rebadged 500. :(

[Foolish]

They should have just kept the damn Tarus name in the first place if they were going to do it.

Lincoln just renamed the Zephr the MKZ, as though the name was the problem with the car. It's just stupid. If you build products people want, you can call them anything and they'll still sell.

For example, if I could get a 4-seat, 450HP, 40MPG rear wheel-biased AWD hardtop convertible with a useful trunk, that weighed under 3000lbs and cost $15,000 with BMW build quality and Honda reliablility, I'd buy it even if it was called the Hyundai Assclown Friendee.

I'm just saying. Names changes won't save crap cars.

[boostdprotegelx]

Our company car is a Taurus, and I like it a lot... Shame that this isn't actually a new Taurus, and it's just a rebadged 500. :(
that's what i'm saying. if they wanna up their numbers, get rid of the 500, and bring back the taurus.

[02PROTEGE2.0]

For example, if I could get a 4-seat, 450HP, 40MPG rear wheel-biased AWD hardtop convertible with a useful trunk, that weighed under 3000lbs and cost $15,000 with BMW build quality and Honda reliablility, I'd buy it even if it was called the Hyundai Assclown Friendee.


(adds quote to signature)

[ChopstickHero]

a marketing genius at ford must of thought of that while he was taking a shit on the can.

[bradicus18]

I laugh at this but I can't help but wonder how many older Taurus owners won't say, "Ah look ma, they're bringing back the Taurus. We could use a new one." :rolleyes:

[Kansei]

Our company car is a Taurus, and I like it a lot... Shame that this isn't actually a new Taurus, and it's just a rebadged 500. :(

Why is it a shame? The 500 is damn good at what it is designed for.. just bein a comfy big family car. It has a decent engine (especially now that it'll have the 3.5), no real reliability concerns to speak of.. sure, it has bland styling, but bland is what sells in that category.

[ZoomZoomH]

i'd rock a MANUAL TRANSMISSION V8 powerd AWD Taurus SHO

Ford you listening?

[Kansei]

i'd rock a MANUAL TRANSMISSION V8 powerd AWD Taurus SHO

Ford you listening?

v8.. manual tranny.. rwd... Ford Interceptor Concept *drools*

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-interceptor-concept/

so beautiful. too bad ford is sorta suffering from "too little, too late" because most of their cars today are pretty good.

[ZoomZoomH]

fuck rwd, you need awd for a big ass car like a Five Hundred/Taurus

shoot for the stars! offer it as 'cheap alternative' to Audi A8 lol

[evilmonkeyMSP]

You'll have to yell louder...its hard for them to hear you w/ their heads up their asses
i'd rock a MANUAL TRANSMISSION V8 powerd AWD Taurus SHO

Ford you listening?

[BadKarma]

Why is it a shame? The 500 is damn good at what it is designed for.. just bein a comfy big family car. It has a decent engine (especially now that it'll have the 3.5), no real reliability concerns to speak of.. sure, it has bland styling, but bland is what sells in that category.


Yeah, you're right for sure. :) I just have a special place in my heart for the good ol' Taurus'.

[altspace]

Tore-Ass.

[winty87]

My sisters b/f has a Tauras and he has Dubbed it "The Clit"

[Hambino]

Ford should just stop all together.

[Kansei]

Ford should just stop all together.

harsh man, harsh.

the fusion: weird rear styling but a massive improvment over the taurus.. plus it's just a 6 in disguise

the 500: a big, comfy family cruiser. a decent replacement for the crown vic aside from the fact that it's not as well suited for fleet duty as I doubt it's as easily/cheaply serviceable

the F150: a good looking truck, seems to sell very well, must be pretty reliable as I've never heard bad things about it.

the explorer: independent rear suspension ftw. the styling is pretty nice, interior is nice, and if the reliability is good then it's a great SUV.. not that anyone really needs one of those

the expedition: just a supersized explorer.. really doesn't deserve to be on the road, they are such a big hazardous pile of waste :P

the edge: smaller than I thought it would be, strange that it looks like the size of the CX-7 but it's the platform that the CX-9 is on. really cool styling, I like it a lot.

the mustang: cheap american muscle. handles better than any previous mustang (not that it's too hard to achieve that).. styling is meh ok I guess.

the focus: absolute hellish torture that we don't have the euro Focus ST.

the ranger: and absolutely ancient platform, other than the steering wheel and seats (and maybe door panels) the interior hasn't changed a bit since 1995. The 4.0 Cologne V6 is potent, reliable, and decently fuel efficient. It's a compact truck, what do you want from it? Yeah, the Tacoma is much more modern, but is it reall that much better? Plus, the 4-cyl 2wd rangers are ridiculously cheap, not even counting the massive incentives I'm sure they have on them. simple utility ftw.

all in all the current model lineup is really decent. much more than I can say about the current Chrysler lineup (sebring, the next gen of the vans, aspen, durango, nitro, caliber, super bee charger, challenger, dakota, etc) (blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)

[Shadow102]

i'll take two SHO's please

[tunersteve]

I think you're forgetting the new Super Duty's are coming out and have been getting alot of good reviews from the major auto magazines. That new diesel might just overshadow the problems they had with the previous generation, and some of their new features might swing buyers their way.

I had an opportunity to really look up close with all of the big trucks at the Detroit show, and I still can't find one I like better than the Super Duty. The GM Sierra HD is nice, but the new Toyotas are all wrong inside. Very bland, almost odd placement of switches/gadgets, and overall dull feeling inside and out. The Ford just feels like a truck; big and beefy, with luxury if you want or toughness if you need it.

Hopefully in the future we'll see some incarnation of the Interceptor, the Euro Focus chassis/design, and a new line of CUVs that are nicer than the Freestyle, but more fuel efficent than the Explorer. The new 2010 Mustang is rumored to look somewhat like the Guigaro concept, but how much of that is still unsure. They need to give it an IRS once the Challenger and Camaro enter the game, and possibly bump the engine up to the 5.4 and use the blown 6.2 in the SVT model (at one point this was the plan for the Shelby, but it got nixed when the engine died). The new F-150 has to be cutting edge, but still retain its uniqueness and dignity as a Ford. The 500 (Taurus) needs a bolder design, its just not working for anyone. Modernize it and give it some flair for god's sake. Outfit all your vehicles with 6 speed auto or manual transmissions, and VVT should be essential on all your engines, as well as cylinder deactivation on most models as well. It seems like most of the time Ford is playing 5 years late to most games, but 5 years ahead in another.

Rant over.


harsh man, harsh.

the fusion: weird rear styling but a massive improvment over the taurus.. plus it's just a 6 in disguise

the 500: a big, comfy family cruiser. a decent replacement for the crown vic aside from the fact that it's not as well suited for fleet duty as I doubt it's as easily/cheaply serviceable

the F150: a good looking truck, seems to sell very well, must be pretty reliable as I've never heard bad things about it.

the explorer: independent rear suspension ftw. the styling is pretty nice, interior is nice, and if the reliability is good then it's a great SUV.. not that anyone really needs one of those

the expedition: just a supersized explorer.. really doesn't deserve to be on the road, they are such a big hazardous pile of waste :P

the edge: smaller than I thought it would be, strange that it looks like the size of the CX-7 but it's the platform that the CX-9 is on. really cool styling, I like it a lot.

the mustang: cheap american muscle. handles better than any previous mustang (not that it's too hard to achieve that).. styling is meh ok I guess.

the focus: absolute hellish torture that we don't have the euro Focus ST.

the ranger: and absolutely ancient platform, other than the steering wheel and seats (and maybe door panels) the interior hasn't changed a bit since 1995. The 4.0 Cologne V6 is potent, reliable, and decently fuel efficient. It's a compact truck, what do you want from it? Yeah, the Tacoma is much more modern, but is it reall that much better? Plus, the 4-cyl 2wd rangers are ridiculously cheap, not even counting the massive incentives I'm sure they have on them. simple utility ftw.

all in all the current model lineup is really decent. much more than I can say about the current Chrysler lineup (sebring, the next gen of the vans, aspen, durango, nitro, caliber, super bee charger, challenger, dakota, etc) (blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)(blarf)

[melicha8]

For example, if I could get a 4-seat, 450HP, 40MPG rear wheel-biased AWD hardtop convertible with a useful trunk, that weighed under 3000lbs and cost $15,000 with BMW build quality and Honda reliablility, I'd buy it even if it was called the Hyundai Assclown Friendee.


(lol)

[Newf]

actually, people in this world are actually dumb enough to fall for this rename trick. sad but true. And i do believe the edge is on the cx-7 platform, which is basically also a modified 6 platform

[Hambino]

Yeah, the new super-duty is pretty sickhouse. The mustang isn't so bad, and the fusion is pretty nice, just not my kind of styling. If they just cut the dead weight, Ford would do alright. They are just holding onto too many failing lines.

[02PROTEGE2.0]

i just want a hyundai assclown...

[Foolish]

Hey! It's the Assclown Friendee! Say it right! Say it with pleasure!

;)

[mikeyb]

2008 Ford Taurus

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.010/2070207.010.1M.jpg

2008 Mercury Sable

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.011/2070207.011.1M.jpg

2008 Ford Taurus X

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.009/2070207.009.1M.jpg

[mikeyb]

I do not think this is really a good idea.

[boostdprotegelx]

2008 Ford Taurus

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.010/2070207.010.1M.jpg

2008 Mercury Sable

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.011/2070207.011.1M.jpg

2008 Ford Taurus X

http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2070207.009/2070207.009.1M.jpg
totally fucked up the names. and cars..dammit. i hate when car companies do this. like to me the new GTR sucks..cuz it doesn't at all resemble the REAL skyline. same w/ what they're gonna do w/ the supra.. it's all ludacris.

stupid ford..nissan, and toyota.

[Foolish]

These press releases are awesome:
http://media.ford.com/products/press_article_display.cfm?article_id=25373&vehicle_id=1540
http://media.ford.com/products/press_article_display.cfm?article_id=25374&vehicle_id=1539
Wow

[Kansei]

wait so it is srsly called the Taurus X? that's so stupid beyond stupid.

plus I think the current 500 looks infinitely better than the new one.. that new front end and those gaudy taillights make me sick.

[tunersteve]

Taurus X could be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Also, the sedan looks better in person than it does in pictures. Not saying its a good design, just saying its better when you see it with your own two eyes.


wait so it is srsly called the Taurus X? that's so stupid beyond stupid.

plus I think the current 500 looks infinitely better than the new one.. that new front end and those gaudy taillights make me sick.

[02PROTEGE2.0]

that sable... is the ugliest thing ever.

[seanmcsean]

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh.. Can ford come out with a halfway decent product and realize that renaming a current shitty car will NOT resurrect their company.. They actually have to put out a halfway decent product first!

[bradicus18]

So now Ford has the Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Expedition EL, Edge, and Taurus X.....

I do actually like the look of the 500 vs. the Taurus. The Taurus X doesn't look that bad though. If it has the 3.5l V6 and a 6 spd auto it might actually be nice. The Edge is hideous and though I'm not a big fan of the CX-9 (or CX-7 for that matter), I would choose it over the Edge.

[Foolish]

Taurus X could be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

Did somebody say "Torah Sex?"

http://www.frogboy.freeuk.com/rabbi.jpg

[boostdprotegelx]

Did somebody say "Torah Sex?"

http://www.frogboy.freeuk.com/rabbi.jpg
lol.

[.paul]

LMAO @ Foolish hahahahhaha

So the new "Taurus X" is just this with a new name?
http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2006/03/07/1141711302_9053.jpg


BTW, I figured out why this name change will work. Fords cars are absolutely forgettable. It took me a few minuets just to find the picture of that Freestyle because I had absolutely no idea what it was called. Not that I'm the standard bearer of society at large, but if I couldn't remember what the name was I'm sure the average joe and jane don't even know the name or what it is.


Just a thought.

[mikeyb]

LMAO @ Foolish hahahahhaha

So the new "Taurus X" is just this with a new name?
http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2006/03/07/1141711302_9053.jpg


BTW, I figured out why this name change will work. Fords cars are absolutely forgettable. It took me a few minuets just to find the picture of that Freestyle because I had absolutely no idea what it was called. Not that I'm the standard bearer of society at large, but if I couldn't remember what the name was I'm sure the average joe and jane don't even know the name or what it is.


Just a thought.

Its just a name change. I hate the fact Ford is doing this. 500 and Montego sound more upscale then Taurus or Sable.

[02PROTEGE2.0]

my parents have a freestyle...

i think the 6spd auto is a bad idea... i really like the CVT trans.... really its a genius idea and could yield bgi results in a sports car.

when u floor it, the engine stays at peak horsepower and just varies the transmission, instead of the engine. and for gas mileage its a HUGE deal especially in a heavy crossover. that thing on the highway literally just sits at like 1300 rpm at like 70.

6spd auto=bad idea

[bradicus18]

my parents have a freestyle...

i think the 6spd auto is a bad idea... i really like the CVT trans.... really its a genius idea and could yield bgi results in a sports car.

when u floor it, the engine stays at peak horsepower and just varies the transmission, instead of the engine. and for gas mileage its a HUGE deal especially in a heavy crossover. that thing on the highway literally just sits at like 1300 rpm at like 70.

6spd auto=bad idea

Yeah, a CVT is a great idea. But the only one on the market that has actually yielded any real world performance benefits is the Nissan CVT in the Maxima.

[altspace]

Smile!

http://i8.tinypic.com/3zkryx1.jpg

[clicknext]

Lincoln just renamed the Zephr the MKZ, as though the name was the problem with the car. It's just stupid. If you build products people want, you can call them anything and they'll still sell.
I'm going to have to say that in my opinion that is not true. Look at Mazdas. They're great cars that in a lot of cases are better value than their competitors, as I and most people on this forum will tell you. But the moment that Mazda badge went on them, they were doomed to a slow-selling fate.