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500 or Taurus, nobody still cares......

3.6K views 67 replies 28 participants last post by  OmniFocus  
#1 ·
Ruh-roh: New name hasn't helped Ford Taurus sales

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The 2008 Ford Taurus isn't the running bull it once was or was intended to be -- at least, not yet. Combined sales of the 2007 Five Hundred and new 2008 Taurus -- with its new name, new engine and refreshed design -- were down 3.2-percent in August and a brow-raising 30.1-percent in September versus those same months in 2006.

Ford gave several reasons for the decline: last year's models came with 0-percent financing for 72 months, this year's car's come with 5.9-percent for 60 months. The company also ceased advertising during the end-of-summer clearance sales ads, thinking the car might not get proper attention amid the shouting. And, the full-sized sedan market has been soft this year as car buyers move to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

As of this month, an additional $500 has been added to the $1,000 in incentives for the car. Admittedly, though, the new Taurus is still being launched, since it only went on sale in July. With an eye on selling 60,000 Tauruses in the car's first year, Ford sales analyst George Pipas said "the retail sales trend is in a positive direction, and that's good."
Hell, looks like the Taurus name has made sales WORSE! :bang: :bang:
 
#2 ·
And people will continue to not care.It was a huge blunder flip flopping the nameplates.Basically Ford killed the Taurus nameplate after they changed the name to Five Hundred.:screwy:
 
#5 · (Edited)
I could not believe the amount of 300s that I saw on the road last weekend on my trip to NM. (I noticed because I was driving one myself) If Ford wants a pc. of that action the restyle was a good first step, they should have kept the 500 name, offer a body styling package and work on an SVT model.

People do want big cars just not plain ones with ugly names.


(oh and offer a diesel while you're at it)
 
#7 ·
Is that going to be like waiting for the next focus? like suspending a hammer over your groin with a thin, frayed piece of string?
 
#9 ·
The Taurus/500 is a really good car. It really doesn't need to be ultra-fancy, since most people don't give two craps about "exciting". It just doesn't have enough draw to pull them away from the other boring-ass cars like Accords and Avalons.
 
#11 ·
Well my question is what car is closer to the new US accord, the fusion or the 500 er Taurus? They market the fusion (midsize car) against the Accord (full size car)

Also I have not seen any ad’s for the 08 Taurus yet. I almost find it hard to believe ford only anticipates selling about 60,000 of these cars a year. They really need global cars they can sell in other countries to get volume.
 
#12 ·
focaljet-1 said:
Wait for the new Taurus. ;)
Ok, your now the 4th or so person that keeps saying "wait for the new Taurus". I'm guessing its based off the big square Concept car thats name escapes me right now....

Ahhh yes the Interceptor I'm guessing?

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#13 · (Edited)
I just dont understand the Taurus's place.

Its a full size FWD V6 car, which Is aimed to be very luxury, I dont see a ton of cars in that catagory, and I rarely see any on the road.

Examples like a Avalon or 500 AKA Taurus and heck I cant even think of another car that aims at Lexus LS470, 300C, BMW 7, Mercdes S.

I think that a FWD LUXURY sedan, is a dying market.

People either want an ACTUAL luxury sedan, or they want RWD. You can clearly tell by the sales number of crown vics, murcurys Gran Marquis, and the 300. Thats if people want a midrange car they want RWD, and a car thats not trying to upplay what it actually is.
 
#17 ·
rpvitiello said:
Well my question is what car is closer to the new US accord, the fusion or the 500 er Taurus? They market the fusion (midsize car) against the Accord (full size car)

Also I have not seen any ad’s for the 08 Taurus yet. I almost find it hard to believe ford only anticipates selling about 60,000 of these cars a year. They really need global cars they can sell in other countries to get volume.
The Fusion. The Accord just got larger for 08... well you know that. Come to think of it, why ask? The Accord is brand spanking new. How the heck is anyone who didnt release a new car for 08; that is the same size as the new Accord going to compete with it? And if Honda continues to call it a midsize car then...

As for the world car... You know the situation Ford is in right now. Please be patient.
 
#18 ·
They haven't even marketed the car yet, and people are wondering why it doesn't sell. I'll reserve my judgment for later this year after the marketing.
 
#19 ·
focaljet-1 said:
Wait for the new Taurus. ;)
Ford N.A. latest motto
or I like Wilko's even better, as it implies a more consitent message across the line-up.
"Please be patient".

Pipas is running out of clever excuses. If so many are down sizing as he states from the Taurus segment, you would hope maybe some of those down-sizing shoppers are buying the Fusion.
Numbers do not show that this is happening.

I am no marketing expert but this comment leaves me scratching my head
"The company also ceased advertising during the end-of-summer clearance sales ads, thinking the car might not get proper attention "

The bloody car is not getting any attention anyway, and they are worried about getting "proper attention", maybe some attention even if not "proper" (whatever the hell that means) would be in order.

Are these people for real or just spouting off some empty statements because they do not have a clue what the hell they are doing.
 
#20 ·
bluebyutoo said:
Loosely. All I can say is that I wouln't mind having one.
when will this happen?? in time for cafe standards to kill anything with a V6 or bigger??:lol:
 
#22 ·
rpvitiello said:
Well my question is what car is closer to the new US accord, the fusion or the 500 er Taurus? They market the fusion (midsize car) against the Accord (full size car)

Also I have not seen any ad’s for the 08 Taurus yet. I almost find it hard to believe ford only anticipates selling about 60,000 of these cars a year. They really need global cars they can sell in other countries to get volume.
The Accord & Fusion are midsize, The accord is not a full size sedan
 
#23 ·
Are these people for real or just spouting off some empty statements because they do not have a clue what the hell they are doing.
Ding ding ding!

They sound more like politicians.

Ford has been playing "catchup" for 5 years. "Just wait, we'll have something great in another few years."

That's exactly what Ford's problem is, isn't it... Customers are waiting. If they can't wait, they buy somebody else's car.

Hell, their sales have been declining so long... what is Ford's sales this year compared to.... 2000?
 
#25 ·
OmniFocus said:
The Taurus/500 is a really good car. It really doesn't need to be ultra-fancy, since most people don't give two craps about "exciting". It just doesn't have enough draw to pull them away from the other boring-ass cars like Accords and Avalons.
Ya I agree, the story of the car is the mechanicals which is never really talked about.
 
#26 ·
blakeZX3 said:
I just dont understand the Taurus's place.

Its a full size FWD V6 car, which Is aimed to be very luxury, I dont see a ton of cars in that catagory, and I rarely see any on the road.

Examples like a Avalon or 500 AKA Taurus and heck I cant even think of another car that aims at Lexus LS470, 300C, BMW 7, Mercdes S.

I think that a FWD LUXURY sedan, is a dying market.

People either want an ACTUAL luxury sedan, or they want RWD. You can clearly tell by the sales number of crown vics, murcurys Gran Marquis, and the 300. Thats if people want a midrange car they want RWD, and a car thats not trying to upplay what it actually is.
With Ford downsizing, perhaps they are ok with 5k a month as part of the business plan