Ford to re-instate Taurus....WTF?!!

au2sw · 07-02-2007, 07:37 AM

heard this on 7 Sunrise this morning durintheir finance report.

Ford America are releasing the Tuarus again after removing it from production months(?) ago. 500 will be pruduced for the Motor Show (in one of their cities, didnt catch the name).

Are they stupid? that was one of the worst cars they built IMO. perhaps they have re-designed the whole thing from inside out. will be interesting to see some pics of what they plan to release.
anyone else heard about this or know anything more?

all4ford · 07-02-2007, 08:08 AM

Lets hope its not that same ugly design where you cant tell if its driving at you forward or reversing towards you.

:

Martyvan · 07-02-2007, 08:39 AM

news flash (Totally unsubstantiated....)

Taurus will be LHD Falcon in 2009... lol

GXL078 · 07-02-2007, 09:45 AM

LOL, they have them at my local wreckers now.
Apparently it was a huge success in the States.

LeadFoot81 · 07-02-2007, 09:47 AM

The facelifted version of the taurus was ok, just not the original 'weird-***' design.

Powdered Toast Man · 07-02-2007, 09:53 AM

The Taurus has been around in the states for years. The model we had here wasnt the first/only one ever made, it was just the latest version at the time. Dunno how far it goes back, at least the 80s. They were one of the square sedans they used as cop cars & taxis etc along with the chevy.

I assume its a new design not teh update of the cockroach one we had. That styling should be dead and buried (I hope!).

robs_ls1 · 07-02-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcgxl

Apparently it was a huge success in the States.

Because FWD > RWD in snow.

But it don't snow here. Well, not in the suburbs anyway. Large FWD cars will never "cut it" here. The Aussie large car market demands RWD, as evidenced by Commodore & Falcon sales as opposed to Aurion & 380. In the US, you can buy a brand new Chevy Impala with a 5.3 litre V8 and it'll be FWD.

That's just stupid.

csv8 · 07-02-2007, 10:31 AM

2008 Ford Taurus - Auto Shows 1 | 2

Ford slaps a once-successful nameplate on its refreshed and reinvigorated Five Hundred
BY STEVE SILER AND MIKE DUSHANE, February 2007

If you follow such minutia (or read all 80 pages of our Detroit auto show coverage), you probably already know that the Ford Five Hundred is slated to get a Fusion-style, three-chrome-slat grille and a 260-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 for 2008.

It also shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that the Five Hundred name has garnered precisely zero brand equity in its three years on the market. Blame it on the car’s inadequate power, its lack of competitive safety features, or its utterly forgettable styling.

You might also know that the Taurus, which was once America’s best-selling car, is now out of production after years of neglect and sales that dropped in direct proportion to the number of times Ford cost-cutters said “Put off those Taurus updates for another year.”

The obvious solution (even to people with a marketing degree, apparently) is to ditch the Five Hundred nameplate and revive the Taurus designation for Ford’s big sedan. Why didn’t we think of that? We’re not going to be too hard on ourselves, as Ford itself apparently got this bright idea after it had already introduced the vehicle as the 2008 Five Hundred at the Detroit auto show in January of 2007.

The only problem with this name shuffling is that long-time Taurus buyers may be confused by the re-badged Five Hundred, as it’s a much bigger and more expensive car. Ford hasn’t confirmed anything yet (not even the name change), but we suspect that serious de-contenting and price reduction is in order. If Ford’s past shenanigans are anything to go by, say buh-bye to map lights, sound deadening, trunk carpeting, alloy wheels, speakers, and even trim pieces. The 2007 Five Hundred’s $24k base price is simply too high for former Taurus buyers. We guess that a base 2008 Taurus (do milk crates for seats really meet government standards?) will be priced at scarcely over $20k.

sgt_doofey · 07-02-2007, 10:46 AM

Having actually owned a FWD Taurus wagon in the States in 2002 for 4 month, I would have to say that it wasn't a bad car. It was a 1986 (or 1984, can't remember which year) and it survived the 4 months that we had it. I think we traveled a fair few miles in it (3000 perhaps?) in that time. Never failed us once. It had it's problems, some emission sensors had crapped themselves and she ran a bit hot because of this, but it never stopped. We bought it for about US$1800 and it was sold for us for about US$1000.

ltd · 07-02-2007, 11:59 AM

I like the blue taurus in the movie "road trip", especially when it goes over that bridge. Actually, here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0udQ9gIrHkY

paulie0735 · 07-02-2007, 01:36 PM

I agree with 'stg doofey' drove one around for 2 weeks last year and while they are no road rocket they perform their intended purpose with ease. They are economical, easy to drive, easy to park, comfortable, big enough and are easy to get in and out of. The American market is not all about Mustangs and F series trucks. I'm told the rental market in the US is around 5 times the size of our total vehicle market here and it’s dominated by the Taurus in much the same way as the taxi market here is dominated by the Falcon.

Homer1 · 07-02-2007, 01:42 PM

This move is further indication that Ford US is going down the toilet. The 500 was supposed to replace the Taurus and turn thier fortunes around in that segment which is being taken over by Accord and Camry. Now they've turned it around and renamed the new car with the old name....WTF???? I don't see any improvement in sales.

Joes_meat · 07-02-2007, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robs_ls1

Because FWD > RWD in snow.

But it don't snow here. Well, not in the suburbs anyway. Large FWD cars will never "cut it" here. The Aussie large car market demands RWD, as evidenced by Commodore & Falcon sales as opposed to Aurion & 380. In the US, you can buy a brand new Chevy Impala with a 5.3 litre V8 and it'll be FWD.

That's just stupid.

The RWD vs FWD is not such a big deal anymore. With traction control and other various big, dumb, American driver aids - most RWD cars can drive through slippery conditions as well as most FWD cars.

Poetic Justice · 07-02-2007, 01:47 PM

Perhaps not...

Think about what the Tiida might have been like if it was badged as a Pulsar..

Mark351 · 07-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Taurus became the 500, 500 is gonig back to being the Taurus due to the history in the nameplate. Not sure what the fuss is?

XR6TickfordBoy · 07-02-2007, 01:50 PM

The Tauraus was a huge success in the states that's why it was brought over here to boost sales when the AU wasn't selling, clearly here we hated the Tauraus more than the AU's!

Dauphin · 07-02-2007, 02:00 PM

I read that the ugly Taurus (the one that was imported into here) was designed by an Aussie. I think Robocop's car was an older Taurus and I remember wanting one when I was a kid.

I think also that it was rebadged as several cars, one being a Mercury Sable or Lincoln [something] that had a full-width headlight front.

sgt_doofey · 07-02-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I think also that it was rebadged as several cars, one being a Mercury Sable or Lincoln [something] that had a full-width headlight front.

It was the Mercury Sable. Saw plenty of them over in the US as well.

I should have mentioned in my previous post that the wagon we owned was a 7 seater as well. Fits 5 adults in the cabin nice and comfortably. You could get a couple of midgets (or one very drunk Aussie

: ) in the back as well.
And I think that ours was powered by a 2.4L V6 engine. Wasn't that terribly fuel efficient, but that was probably also due to the sensor problems we had, as well as not being able to convert gallons/miles back to kilometres/litres.

Edit: actually, we hired a Mercury Sable as well when we were going down to LA.

XR Rob · 07-02-2007, 02:37 PM

Robocop drove a Taurus! Yeah! ;)

Bucket · 07-02-2007, 02:55 PM

Chopping and changing there Minds if it keeps going this way will be the end for Ford US
UNLESS..
This does what the equvelant of Nissan Chaning the Tiida name plate back to Pulsar would do (hypothetically)...
The Taurus was quite popular in the states and to this day I dont know Why.

RPO83 · 07-02-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

I read that the ugly Taurus (the one that was imported into here) was designed by an Aussie. I think Robocop's car was an older Taurus and I remember wanting one when I was a kid.

I think also that it was rebadged as several cars, one being a Mercury Sable or Lincoln [something] that had a full-width headlight front.

Yes it was designed by an Australian who worked on the Blackwood project, I'm not sure on his name but I think it was Doherty.

The Taurus was never brought here to boost AU sales as it was imported prior to the AU release and it was not brought to Australia to replace the Falcon. The Taurus was brought here because the Ford division in Japan wanted the model and a deal was struck with FoA to import a handful of models out of the quota that Japan took to lower the costs of the exercise.

I don't see a problem with what FoNA are doing.

MYT · 07-02-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6TickfordBoy

The Tauraus was a huge success in the states that's why it was brought over here to boost sales when the AU wasn't selling, clearly here we hated the Tauraus more than the AU's!

The Taurus was actually brought to Australia with the intention of replacing the falcon and that was before the AU was even released, in the end it just wasn't what the people of oz wanted so it was sent packing

You Yangs · 07-02-2007, 08:29 PM

I have got a Taurus and I don't give a **** what anyone says its just a car, it serves me well and it's a FORD!!!!!!

XD 351 Ute · 07-02-2007, 08:59 PM

There's so much E series wagon in those pics Sgt Doofey posted, it's unreal!

Ed

Dezza · 07-02-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XD 351 Ute

There's so much E series wagon in those pics Sgt Doofey posted, it's unreal!

Ed

E-series wagons look heaps better!

At least we didn't get the wagon version of the ultra rounded Taurus

:
(well, actually this is a Mercury Sable but it's basically the same)

Dave_au · 07-02-2007, 09:21 PM

Could the Taurus be the next post Orion falcon? :dr_Evil: :dr_Evil:

VQST80 · 07-02-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ea_silver_ghia

E-series wagons look heaps better!

At least we didn't get the wagon version of the ultra rounded Taurus

:
(well, actually this is a Mercury Sable but it's basically the same)

Know I know where the hyundai lantra wagons got there dna from.. :togo:

Dezza · 07-02-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Could the Taurus be the next post Orion falcon? :dr_Evil: :dr_Evil:

Ford have considered replacing the Falcon with the Taurus before but decided it wasn't worth it, so I seriously doubt it

Sick EB · 07-02-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VQST80

Know I know where the hyundai lantra wagons got there dna from.. :togo:

true true. i can see it aswell lol. jeez i hate hyundai. just crap imo

LUXO_8 · 07-02-2007, 09:34 PM

see, thats what happens when you use the sedans doors on a wagon......

IMO painting that C pilalr black would make a massive difference to the looks

anyway, i dont see the fuss...the 500 probably wasnt selling, due to having a new name...
its taurus sized, its new, and its not a bad car at all from what ive read on it.......IMO they were crazy for dropping the taurus name in teh first place