Changing Five Hundred's name to Taurus doesn't boost sales
I think the overall issue here is that the consumer has lost confidence in cars being offered by American manufacturers. Quality, Reliability,Resale etc..haven't been good with American cars in the past it will take a while for them to regain that confidence. The big 3 are doing much better when it comes to trucks.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I think the overall issue here is that the consumer has lost confidence in cars being offered by American manufacturers. Quality, Reliability,Resale etc..haven't been good with American cars in the past it will take a while for them to regain that confidence. The big 3 are doing much better when it comes to trucks.
Have you driven a 500, Pearlpower? It is not a sports car, of course, but it was not meant to be one. It does what it was designed to do very well....transport several people smoothly, quietly, with a moderate number of convienences, and......with AWD.......in any weather.
Yes, for about 3000 miles, how about yourself other than a 10 mile test drive? Name the Ford and I have driven it as my Fusion was in the shop for so long and so many times Enterprise knew me on a first name basis and they rented Fords. Plus we have numerous in our fleet.
I'm fully aware of what the target audience is but Ford obviously does not and sales prove it regardless of how thought out you consider the car to be.
I do agree that it does go down the road as you describe but so what? What car does not ride nicely these days? This car brings very little to the game and lacks inspiring buyers when so many other offerings are available and to call it a Taurus to turn sales around ....just plain madness and displays the desperation of Ford in turning around a brand new model. The AWD is a plus though but with a weak motor.
They need to redesign the sheet metal a little from the old tired conservative look to something that does not appear to be so at home in a fleet garage. Just because the baby boomers are at past their peak earnings period does not mean they want to buy something so bland. But it does make for a decent fleet car as we have over 200 in our fleet.
Last edited by Pearlpower; Oct 10, 2007 at 08:26 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, for about 3000 miles, how about yourself other than a 10 mile test drive? Name the Ford and I have driven it as my Fusion was in the shop for so long and so many times Enterprise knew me on a first name basis and they rented Fords.
and displays the desperation of Ford in turning around a brand new model.
and displays the desperation of Ford in turning around a brand new model.
If I come across as a Ford hater-your right to a degree. Starting from my Taurus years back to this and all of the rentals with problems (even when new and not abusable items such as gas gauges,stalls,etc...). Sure some have had great luck with Fords, but I have not and that is what matters to me.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
If I come across as a Ford hater-your right to a degree. Starting from my Taurus years back to this and all of the rentals with problems (even when new and not abusable items such as gas gauges,stalls,etc...). Sure some have had great luck with Fords, but I have not and that is what matters to me.
And I agree.........if you drove a Five Hundred for 3000 miles (that's the equivalent of a cross-country trip), that is enough to be quite familiar with it. You're correct that that was a little longer than my test-drive
Last edited by mmarshall; Oct 11, 2007 at 05:47 AM.
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