bring back the SHO!

 

Only if they do it right this time.

 

Exactly, when you think of that market segment, specific names come to mind when you think of affordable everyday sedans. I've never heard anyone talk about a 500 outside of a ford forum or commercial, but the Taurus name is very recognizable. The 500 definitely fits in with character of the taurus, and is definitely a logical evolution with all of the refinements.

 

I'd say a TwinForce engine with good suspension tuning would do the job.

 

Also, AWD and a manual tranny (auto optional).

 

Don't see what a difference it will make.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../70206018/1014

 

FYI . . . I merged Bullitt 2597s thread into this one.

 

[quote=Bullitt 2597;837431]Don't see what a difference it will make. /quote]

With 7m Taurus' sold there is brand equity (Name recognition by the public) which is a positive.

What would you have said if in 2005 the new S-197 Mustang got a new name, say the "Ford 600"?

The only fly in the ointment is that over the last 3 -4 years Ford really tarnished the Taurus franchise by selling to many to fleet customers, therefore destroying resale value, and by not updating the Taurus for so many years. In the end the Taurus had really fallen behind the competition in terms of amenities and in it's powertrain.

 

Kind of like the Cingular/AT&T deal, IMO something that shouldn't have been done in the first place. Well, Ford does seem to have "the gift" of tarnishing and then tossing some good names in its past.

 

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=25371

 

I understand that the 500 (Taurus) is larger than the Fusion, but especially with the Taurus name, along with the new improvements, is it possible that the Taurus and Sable could cannabalize sales of the Fusion and Milan? I would think that any head way Ford was making with those cars could be really crushed when these come out.

 

Ford's Mark Fields announces Bold Move


http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/f...urus-and-sabl/

 

I think this is a great idea, there are plenty of people who like the Tarus and adding the name back to the line up will stir up interest in the slightly redesigned 500. Good going Mullay

 

Does anyone else think this smacks of a company grasping at straws?

On the other hand, maybe Mulally's strategy is two-fold >>

1) Try to pump up sales of the 500 in the short-term (as they develop new products) by giving it a name many remember (though perhaps few care about anymore);

2) Continue with near long-term development and/or importation of fresh new competitive products to eventually replace these vehicles that aren't selling well.

When I look at Ford's global products, I just about wanna cry. Look at the Euro Mondeo...look at the new Aussie Falcon. Both are stunning and would sell over here. As GM leverages global assets like Holden, Ford's "asset" seems to be stuck in a sling.

The Blue Oval needs to borrow Nike's slogan: "Just Do It."

 

Read the article I linked in this thread. It's enlightening regarding Mulally and where he wants to go with Ford.

 

Thanks. I guess I missed the link initially. Good read.

Mulally's already asking his executives to tell him why the company doesn't make some other corrections, including:

I think it's time to move past the asking phase and move straight to the TELLING phase - as in TELLING those same executives what they're going to do...and do RIGHT NOW. I have high hopes for Mulally; he says many of the right things. But I think the company needs to move faster (GM is) and I think he needs to go all Patton on their a$$es. Take the Interceptor, for example. Mulally should just say to any naysayers in the company, "Just build the bloody car and stop wasting time telling me why we can't."

 

When these stories reach us, they're already history. I firmly believe he's moved past the asking phase and is well into the telling phase. The renaming of the 500 is just first (and easiest) step in this phase. I believe other moves will follow very soon.