More Videos
- Predictions 2010: Autos
- Saab Lovers Sound Off
- Obama's Emission Reduction Pledge Paints Future for Autos
- Toyota Makes Recall Fix And So Long Saab
- The L.A. Extravaganza: A Test for Auto Shows
- Volt Drive: Great Ride, Interesting Interior and a Friendly Chirp
- Volvo Talks Show New Day Dawning for China
- Starting Car2Go - Smart Move for Daimler
- GM Cuts Losses—Plans Early Loan Repayment
- Ghosn's Bet: 10% of World Will Drive EV's in 10 Years
MOST SHARED
- Commercial Property Fears Are Overblown: Zell, LeFrak
- Pending Home Sales Have Record Rise; Construction Flat
- US Manufacturing Grew Less Than Expected in November
- Somali Sea Gangs Create Pirate Stock Exchange
- Good Sign for the Economy: 'Greed' Makes a Comeback
- More Late on Auto Loan Payments in Third Quarter
- AIG Slashes US Debt Under Deal With New York Fed
- Euro Zone Manufacturing Grows Faster Than Forecast
- Trump: Time to Force Banks to Start Lending
- Stocks Likely Don't Need Santa to Keep Rally Going
- Ford Says November Sales Rise; Chrysler Falls
- Larry Kudlow's Open Letter to Tiger Woods
- AIG Slashes US Debt Under Deal With New York Fed
- Commercial Property Fears Are Overblown: Zell, LeFrak
- Trump: Time to Force Banks to Start Lending
- Seamstress Fined $5.7 Million for Insider Trading
- Super Fantasy Christmas Gifts of 2009
- Accused Ponzi Schemer Rothstein Arrested
RSS FEED
Behind The Wheel
Text Size 
 |
ford.com Ford Taurus X |
The report today from the Detroit News that Ford [F
Loading...
()
] is preparing to stop building the Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X crossover is one of those stories I read and immediately said, "It's about time."
In my opinion, these are the types of moves Ford needs to make quickly if it's going to jump start sales with fresh, attractive models.
Now, at the risk of offending my mother, who owns a Sable, I say good riddance to this car. The fact that my mom, a lovely lady in her late 70's calls her Sable, "very nice" oughtta send shivers down the spine of Ford execs.
There's an old adage in the auto industry, "you can't sell a young man an old man's car". Sable may not be just for senior citizens, but in my opinion it is boring, lackluster, and any other adjective you'd want to pick to describe a run of the mill car. Sorry mom.
I'm glad to see Ford may be dropping these models. According to the Detroit News, Ford feels the Sable will no longer fit with future plans that the Mercury have smaller, cars. The report says the Taurus X crossover won't be needed because the new Ford Flex will fill that space in Ford's crossover plans.
But the encouraging thing is that I believe Ford's designers have future models that WILL do a much better job than the Sable and Taurus X of connecting with buyers. For years, I have looked at the Ford company's line-up of cars (except the Mustang) and have said to myself, "Did anyone with a pulse work on this car?". But starting with the Edge, and now the Flex, Ford's finally getting it's mojo back.
Let's hope CEO Alan Mulally keeps pushing his execs to continue this renaissance. I like what I've seen of the cars that will re-build the Lincoln brand. The models (check out the Flex) in the Ford brand are also turning heads. And I think Mercury will eventually get there. For too long, Ford's played it safe. Finally, it looks like it's ready to kick out the yawners.
Questions? Comments?
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes