Fixing Ford: Mercury to Get Euro-Designed Product(s)?

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3-Wheel Drive
Yeah, they touted that comparison in a recent commercial, too. What they don't say, (or more accurately, do not draw attention to) is that the Camry and Accord were FWD, whereas the Fusion was the AWD model, not the regular FWD model--hardly a level playing field, performance-wise. I'm sure that if all 3 models were FWD, the results would have been a bit different.
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To be fair, I thought this commercial was bullcrap, just like you, until I realized that the AWD Fusion is only $23K, which is on par with the FWD competition they stacked it against.

The Mazdaspeed6 and Legacy 2.5GT are about $5K more expensive.

Now....why is the AWD Fusion's turning circle bigger than that of a Ford Expedition? (this just smacks of lazy/poor engineering...)
 
JCE3000GT
The E-series (what you call the Econoline) is a dated vehicle...but as you know just like the Crown Vic as long as there is a market for it and it makes Ford money AND it is cheap and easily produced in huge numbers I doubt they will completely get rid of it.
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Like the Dodge RAM Van? With the Sprinter already being sold here for a while, it won't (or, shouldn't, at least) be long until the sales of the Astro (which isn't so bad) and the Econoline (which is) to taper off, and Ford would be fools to not bring the Transit here. That is where the difference between the Econoline and Crown Vic lie: The Crown Vic has no competition. The Econoline has far more competent competition.
 
Um, Toronado, the Astro was discontinued a few years ago. Also, I see more Freightliner Sprinters than Dodges. I've even seen a Mercedes Sprinter! Now, the C-Max is a good looking car, but the Mondeo woudn't work here, seeing as that is would cannibalize Fusion sales.
 
3-Wheel Drive
Yeah, they touted that comparison in a recent commercial, too. What they don't say, (or more accurately, do not draw attention to) is that the Camry and Accord were FWD, whereas the Fusion was the AWD model, not the regular FWD model--hardly a level playing field, performance-wise. I'm sure that if all 3 models were FWD, the results would have been a bit different.
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I have a few points I'd like to make.
  • Not a probem that the Camry and Accord didn't have AWD. I see the AWD as a PLUS since it is AVAILABLE and is CHEAPER with the AWD than the other models FWD. Thus it is fair for this comparison.
  • Even if you pit the FWD Fusion to the other two I will be better. Period.
  • The drivetrain wasn't the only catagory they voted on. The Fusion won fair and square.

skip0110
To be fair, I thought this commercial was bullcrap, just like you, until I realized that the AWD Fusion is only $23K, which is on par with the FWD competition they stacked it against.

The Mazdaspeed6 and Legacy 2.5GT are about $5K more expensive.

Now....why is the AWD Fusion's turning circle bigger than that of a Ford Expedition? (this just smacks of lazy/poor engineering...)
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The FWD V6 models of each car or the FWD 4cyl models of each car in the same test would of still produced the same results. The turning circle isn't short agreed...but it isn't that much different from the Camry or Accord. Oh, and according to http://www.caranddriver.com/carspec...d_expedition/4623-EXPEDITIONXLTV854Liter.html the Expedition has a turning circle of 40.8

Camry = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspecs/2007-toyota-camry/toyota_camry/4382-CAMRYLE4CYL24Liter.html --> 36.1
Accord = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspec...ccord_sedan/5660-ACCORDEX4CYLVTEC24Liter.html --> 36.1
Fusion = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspecs/2006-ford-fusion/ford_fusion/4097-FUSIONSEL4CYL23liter.html --> 38.7

2.6' isn't actually that much, and you don't notice the difference when parking it or making 3 point turns or even making U turns. I have made U turns at red lights with the Fusion and it is good enough. And the fact that you can get a V6 SEL Fusion for considerably cheaper than a V6 of the other two models is rediculous. Better car for less money...period. Lets take a look at some figures on these three cars with similar trim.

Price:
  • The Carmy LE-V6 starts @ $23,960.
  • The Accord LX-V6 starts @ $23,350.
  • The Fusion SE V6 starts @ $21,275.

That's almost $2.5k cheaper than the Camry and almost $4.5k cheaper than the Accord.

Weight:
  • The Fusion V6 = 3280lbs
  • The Accord V6 = 3414lbs
  • The Camry V6 = 3495lbs.

Power (bhp/tq):
  • The Camry V6 = 268/248
  • The Accord V6 = 244/211
  • The Fusion V6 = 221/205

0-60mph:
  • The Camry V6 = 6.1sec
  • The Accord V6 = 7.0sec
  • The Fusion V6 = 7.4sec

Lateral G's:
  • The Camry V6 = 0.80g
  • The Accord V6 = couldn't find it
  • The Fusion V6 = 0.83g

So while the Fusion has less power and takes a tick longer to 60mph it still is right on par with this segment--and in my mind is a much better value and a much better car.

Toronado
Like the Dodge RAM Van? With the Sprinter already being sold here for a while, it won't (or, shouldn't, at least) be long until the sales of the Astro (which isn't so bad) and the Econoline (which is) to taper off, and Ford would be fools to not bring the Transit here. That is where the difference between the Econoline and Crown Vic lie: The Crown Vic has no competition. The Econoline has far more competent competition.
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The Crown Vic does have some competition...actually too much of it. Since its been reduced to only municipal duties more departments are choosing the Charger here recently.

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Is the Transit suitable for airport limos and ambulances?
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Yes. I saw a Sprinter EMT unit in south Texas last year when I was doing a dealer trade.
 
JCE3000GT
The FWD V6 models of each car or the FWD 4cyl models of each car in the same test would of still produced the same results. The turning circle isn't short agreed...but it isn't that much different from the Camry or Accord. Oh, and according to http://www.caranddriver.com/carspec...d_expedition/4623-EXPEDITIONXLTV854Liter.html the Expedition has a turning circle of 40.8

Camry = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspecs/2007-toyota-camry/toyota_camry/4382-CAMRYLE4CYL24Liter.html --> 36.1
Accord = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspec...ccord_sedan/5660-ACCORDEX4CYLVTEC24Liter.html --> 36.1
Fusion = http://www.caranddriver.com/carspecs/2006-ford-fusion/ford_fusion/4097-FUSIONSEL4CYL23liter.html --> 38.7

2.6' isn't actually that much, and you don't notice the difference when parking it or making 3 point turns or even making U turns. I have made U turns at red lights with the Fusion and it is good enough. And the fact that you can get a V6 SEL Fusion for considerably cheaper than a V6 of the other two models is rediculous. Better car for less money...period. Lets take a look at some figures on these three cars with similar trim.
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The FWD Fusion probably has that turning circle, but when they fit the AWD transmission in there transversely the turnin circle can get huge quick if the engieers aren't paying attention.

I got my numbers straight from Ford's website.



Granted, you probably won't notice this unless you drive it back to back with an Accord or something.

So in general I agree it's a screaming deal, but seeing that number just surprised me so I mentioned it.
 
Monte Carlo
Um, Toronado, the Astro was discontinued a few years ago.
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Sorry. I meant the Express.
JCE3000GT
The Crown Vic does have some competition...actually too much of it. Since its been reduced to only municipal duties more departments are choosing the Charger here recently.
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That's one car. And while it is a better car, it is also a far less common vehicle (not to mention smaller) and not one that will be replacing the Crown Vic anytime soon
The Econoline has to deal with competition from the Sprinter and Astro...Express (damnit!), both of which are far newer than it is. This is compounded with the beginning of prevalance of minivans in the segment instead of full size vans.
JCE3000GT
Even if you pit the FWD Fusion to the other two I will be better. Period.
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In Honda's defense, and although the Fusion is a damn good product, the Accord is what, 4 years old now?
It must also be said that Ford is also facing very strong competition from Hyundai with the Sonata.
 
Yea, those numbers I posted were for the FWD indeed. Still, unless its something ungodly like 42ft or something I wouldn't worry. And, as you can see the skidpad rating is still very good even with that larger turning circle 0.83 for a mid-sized saloon isn't that bad. To put that lateral g number in more of a perspective; 2007 Merc E350 saloon with its base price of $51k; 0.82g [http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=4070].

*edit*
Yes, I was actally going to post about the Sonata but I deleted what I typed because it wasn't in this comparo. Frankly, the Sonata would beat all three of these cars in terms of performance and grip. The Sonata LX has a skidpad of 0.79g.
 
Toronado
In Honda's defense, and although the Fusion is a damn good product, the Accord is what, 4 years old now?
It must also be said that Ford is also facing very strong competition from Hyundai with the Sonata.
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Try 30. I'd still go with a Honda over a Ford, though. The difference in reliability and build quality can certainly offset the price difference.
 
...And in the "Why were we so stupid" file...

LLN.com
Ford will announce on Wednesday plans to rename its Five Hundred mid-size sedan "Taurus," according to a report by Dow Jones Newswires. The name change will be announced at the Chicago auto show.

A month ago, a report in BusinessWeek suggested Ford could revive the Taurus name, but it seemed unlikely at the time.

CEO Alan Mulally was quoted as saying Ford should have never dropped the nameplate in the first place. "I havent had time to do the deep dive on why we stopped investing in Taurus, but I'd like to," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. "The Ford Five Hundred should have been the new Taurus."

In the same report, Ford's new marketing chief Barry Engle expressed a similar sentiment. Asked why Ford doesn't rename the Fusion or the Five Hundred "Taurus," Engle said, "stranger things have happened […] I don't know why we invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a name over 20 years and then walk away from it."

Ford revealed the redesigned 2008 Five Hundred at the Detroit auto show in January. Ford gave the sedan new headlights, taillights, and its three-bar signature grille.
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Hmmm. So lets throw the Taurus name out the window for nearly three years, and stick it back on a car that had no intention of replacing it to begin with. Right. Well, at least there will be some level of name recognition again at the Ford arm of FoMoCo, and maybe we can get rid of the absolutely stupid "C = F name" and "E = truck name" thing...
 
They are bringing back "Taurus"? Why not bring back "Tempo" and "Probe" too...:lol:

No one cared about Tauri after they made that spaceship/fish influenced thing.
 
Uh...ditto on this...I'm not sure that's such a good idea.

Damnit, Ford, get it together and find some sort of direction.
 
Booooooo!

Leave the Taurus dead for christ sakes! Around here the Five Hundred nameplate is complimented upon by the customers who buy them. Rename the Five Hundred to Taurus now and Ford will lose any ground it gained by dumping that POS and starting something new. Booooo I say...BOOOOOOO!
 
Renaming the Five Hundred the Taurus is an insult to the Taurus.
YSSMAN
and stick it back on a car that had no intention of replacing it to begin with.
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Huh? The Taurus essentially split the difference between the sizes of the Fusion and Five Hundred. Indeed, the two cars were both combined to replace the Taurus at the same time.
Either way, its not like anyone will notice since all of 5 people bought the Five Hundred aynways.
 
...Well get this, LLN.com is saying that Mercury will get the "Sable" name back on the Montego too...

Its all about brand recognition, and lets be frank for a moment, the names "Fivehundred" and "Montego" just don't have it...
 
I'm fine with the Sable, as Yssman said, the brand recognition is important. As for the Fivehundred/Taurus, "Fivehundred" just sounds way more classy than "Taurus". Just my opinion though.
 
The Taurus was the only good car Ford has ever made (the one sold until the mid 90s). I dont know if it will help them sell their POSs, but the naming is definately wrong.
 
I like Mulally. He's definitely trying to find some direction in the company, and sometimes that means making mistakes here and there. But at least he's trying. But renaming the 500 the Taurus works for me: it's got many of the features the Taurus should have had a decade ago (e.g., all-wheel-drive), it's a bit bigger (as all successors are), and it's in need of a restyling. What better time to just rename it to what it should have been?
 
I hear you harry, but I think that was a chip Ford should have hung onto. For one, I think Toronado is right about how it's an insult to the Taurus name. Wasn't Ford supposed to overhaul their entire lineup by 2012 or something like that?(I forget the exact year). IMO, they should have comeback then with a worthy(i.e. very special) 4-dr sedan at that time, then promote the big Taurus/Ford comeback.

You gotta admit, almost everybody's going to chuckle at this Five Hundred renaming thing. Taurus nameplate on another underachiever......
 
Ford will announce on Wednesday plans to rename its Five Hundred mid-size sedan "Taurus," according to a report by Dow Jones Newswires. The name change will be announced at the Chicago auto show.
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I LOVE YOU ALAN MULALLY

YOU'RE THE BEST JAYHAWK EVER!!!

MULALLY IS ALMOST AS COOL AS DONALD PETERSEN. NEITHER OF YOU ARE WILL EVER COMPARE TO LEWIS VERALDI OR JACK TELNACK, BUT THAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS

DAMN YOU, YOU BRIT TROTMAN - YOU KILLED AN ICON. IMAGINE IF I KILLED NEW YORK CITY. THAT'S WHAT YOU DID

So yeah. The Taurus. Who's pumped?!?
 
So, we've got the Taurus...

1-leak-2008-ford-taurus.jpg


LLN.com
Ford today officially confirmed the return of the Taurus for the 2008 model year, following numerous rumors. The vehicle was first introduced as a mildly redesigned Ford Five Hundred in January, and has now been renamed Taurus.

"Taurus has been an icon for Ford’s family sedan for more than two decades, and it’s time to return this powerful name to where it belongs," said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas, at the Chicago Auto Show.

"Consumer awareness of the Taurus name is double the Five Hundred that it’s replacing."

Compared to the old Five Hundred, the new Taurus features a revised front end along the same lines of the Fusion and Edge. Also new to the 2008 model is a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine, including a new six-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive system.

The new model also improves safety with structural improvements and Ford's AdvanceTrac stability control system.

The 2008 Taurus' 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 now offers an estimated 260 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. Other features include the option to install a SIRIUS satellite radio, FordSync, and a DVD entertainment system.
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...Then there's the Sable...

1-leak-2008-mercury-sable.jpg


LLN.com
As anticipated, Ford today announced the launch of the 2008 Mercury Sable — a redesigned Mercury Montego with a not-so-new name. "[Consumer] awareness of Sable is triple that of Montego," said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas, at the Chicago Auto Show.

The Sable's new grille digs a little deeper into Mercury's more recent design DNA, taking cues from the redesigned Mercury Mariner SUV. The bumper beneath the grille is recessed, which adds a bit more character to the nose, and appears to give it a more prominent face.

The Sable's tail-end has received some attention as well. New taillights are predominantly white, with a red strip at the bottom, essentially swapping the color red and white color treatment found on the current car. The trunk lid has been changed, moving the license plate down onto the new Sable's redesigned rear bumper.
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...And now we have the Taurus X...

1-leak-2008-ford-taurus-x.jpg


LLN.com
Along with renaming its Five Hundred to Taurus, Ford today announced it would name the redesigned Freestyle crossover Taurus X. The "X" designation is reference to "crossover," and the Taurus name seems fitting given the close relationship between this vehicle and the Taurus/Five Hundred sedan.

"By giving these vehicles the names that consumers recognize at the same time we’re making significant upgrades, we’re confident that even more people are going to be attracted to these great products in the future,” said Ford's Mark Fields.

For the 2008 model year, the Taurus X gets Ford's signature three-bar chrome grille and restyled headlights, plus other minor exterior enhancements, including new taillight units.
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Cool, I guess. Apparently the thinking caps are on at Ford now...
 
At least I'm glad that they are using the new 3.5L V6. And I'm really glad that they aren't killing off the Freestyle.
 
Neat. I still am not in love with their design, although the interior looks a hell of a lot nicer.
 
I'm so excited the Taurus is back. The answer to my prayers. What's really comical is that I always hated the Five Hundred, but I think I'm going to start liking it now because of the name change.

For the record I'm not being sarcastic - search through my old posts for stuff I've said about the Taurus - it's my favorite car.
 
So now that the Five Hundered name is freed up maybe we can get this.



Pretty please Ford?
 
I wish they would make the Interceptor. Really I do. Also, you don't need to use F names anymore, they dropped it.
 

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