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X-terminated: Ford is killing the Taurus X in Feb 2009

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Old 12-04-08, 02:32 PM
  #16  
ST430
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Poor strategy, marketing, and brand recognition killed it. If you squint enough, it's essentially the same wagon as the "hot" Toyota Venza:

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Old 12-04-08, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ST430
Poor strategy, marketing, and brand recognition killed it. If you squint enough, it's essentially the same wagon as the "hot" Toyota Venza:

Yes, except the Tortoise is a piece of crap.
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Old 12-04-08, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/f...t-in-february/

I'm willing to bet that most here don't even know what this is. Which clearly shows this vehicles problem.
I think a bigger part of the problem is that the Freestyle/Taurus X was too wagon like in appearance. We all know wagons, and to a lesser extent, minivans, have long been out of favor with the buying public. People at a Ford dealership would see the product on the sales floor, so there would be some recognition if you were a domestic buyer.

As for people on CL not knowing about this, that's no surprise I'm sure those that haven't heard of this product don't know half the line-up of Ford, GM, or Chrysler, like-wise how many people on a GM or Ford forum will even know what a Venza is.
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Old 12-04-08, 04:33 PM
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I rented one once and was very impressed with it. If I were in the market for a crossover in that class then that might have been the one. I am sorry to hear this.
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Old 12-04-08, 06:54 PM
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I see these around some times; probably more than I see the Flex.
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Old 12-04-08, 07:41 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by IS-SV
dead and in the portfolio of a half-dead company....
Ford is much better positioned than their domestic peers at the current time. Back to reality.
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Old 12-04-08, 08:23 PM
  #22  
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No surprise this was cancelled having this and the flex made little sense, and the Taurus X was a poor seller.
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Old 12-06-08, 11:02 PM
  #23  
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Well changing the name from Freestyle to Taurus X doesn't do anything. Stupid Ford. Stop slapping the Taurus name everywhere and ruining your nameplate. Besides, the Flex can take over from here. There's no point having two vehicles that are very very similar in purpose.
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Old 12-07-08, 09:59 AM
  #24  
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it used to be called the Freestyle right?
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Old 12-07-08, 10:03 AM
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^ yea it was; the first time I came up behind one and it said 'Taurus X' I remember thinking *wtf? taurus x?*
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Old 12-07-08, 01:23 PM
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I was aware of both the old Five Hundred Wagon and new Taurus X names, Mike. I'm sorry to see it go. It was perhaps the closest American-badged competitor to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70, albeit a little larger in physical size. I had a high opinion of it..........just like I do of the Five Hundred/Taurus itself.
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Old 12-07-08, 01:49 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by luxury1
I rented one once and was very impressed with it. If I were in the market for a crossover in that class then that might have been the one. I am sorry to hear this.
I, too, had one as a rental. The Taurus X was given the larger engine than what the Freestyle had. I actually enjoyed the vehicle. Had it as a family hauler on a Florida vacation. Eddie Bauer package and all.

It had poor fuel economy and was a bit loud, but had pep and did its purpose. I think it was a good product.
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