No More Oldsmobiles

Ford's Taurus rides again in brand gamble

No More Oldsmobiles

Oh, I should add that the way they're doing this is to put the Taurus named on a redesigned Five Hundred.

Smart move or Hail Mary pass?

bascho

It's a bad move IMO. Alan should go back to (not)selling airplanes.

7andan8

Sounds like they should just call back the "SHO" and be done with it. That was a screaming saloon!

Steakboy42

hail mary for an incomplete...

-Steakboy

therm8

Just a rebadge, huh? I would agree with the SHO, but the 500 doesn't remotely fit the profile.

Clavius

nah interception and ran back for a touchdown by the opposing team.

Gambit

the five hundred is a big, unexciting, unattractive car, and it's not going to sell a lot no matter what you call it

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

This is one more sign, as if we needed one, of the kind of desperate straights Ford finds itself in.

What a bloody mess.

Clavius

Ok fully read the acticle and sadly I have to say its a gamble they are going to loose. First the 500 was a gamble itself and didnt pay off all that great, that and add onto the fact that ford foolishly kept the Taurus in production well after the Fusion and 500 were released just added to the loss. Chevy did it right with the Caviler, they split the market of the car into the Aveo and Cobalt but when they were released killed the Caviler's produciton. There was no confusion in the minds of Chevy consumers either get the economy box or sportier economy box.

Hopefully Ford will seriously rethink this and realize its not a bold move but a stupid one. The Taurus has name recongition but as a fleet rental car and a car that teenagers get handed down to 'em by their grandmothers. Leave the 500 name alone your commited to it live in your own hole ya made. I think someone realized at Ford they should of released the Fusion first then the 500 but just name it the Tuarus from the get go and kill the old Taurus. ::shrugs:: To me it would of made more sence.

brillo

I think its a good idea. The 500 is a good car, yes its boring, but it wasn't meant to be exciting. Its finally got the power it needs, AWD, and an upgraded interior. Use the brand name that Ford invested $$$$$ in to try to sell it to a broader audience.

otherside

I agree, they will probably sell more as a Taurus rather than the 500.

rodrigo67

maybe they should rename the focus back to ford escort...then they can throw the GT badge on the back of it without any other changes and maybe they'll sell more of those too...or better yet, put on the RS badge...

otherside

I guess they could call it the Falcon. All they would have to add is push button automatic!

tjbourgoyne

Batted down at the Line of scrimmage and called for offensive holding.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

We need the old Mondeo back.
Oh yeah, I forgot. We never got it in the first place.

Clavius

Now here is a question which some might be able to answer. How come they called it the 500? Not like Ford has other numbered cars or really ever did that to me stand out in my memory.

No More Oldsmobiles

Maybe they were trying to draw on the memories of other Fords called 500 -- Galaxy and Fairlane were some, I think. (IIRC, the concept for the new Five Hundred had much more of a retro look.)

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

Technically it's called the "Five Hundred" so it's not really a numerical namem, but what No More Oldsmobiles said is correct.

Are Ex Eight anyone?

Clavius

Ahh thanks NMO. I dunno anytime I hear of the 500 I always think of the 300 from Chyrsler yanno. I know they were thinking retro most likely but thing is go for retro that people are begging for.