2008 Family Car of the Year Winner

[suv_guy_19]

I am the first one to admit if I am wrong. And I can spell too.

 

 

It was a word, just the wrong one. You know it doesn't really matter which one you thought should have been the Taurus. The Taurus is now what it is. You don't like FNA, I know, but you could try to get over it.

[suv_guy_19]

I just proved you spelled "times" wrong.

 

 

I fixed it already. I hate the word proved. Proven is much better.

Edited November 28, 2007 by suv_guy_19

[P71_CrownVic]

Well for many years Ford did offer two FWD family cars. There was a Tempo and a Taurus. Later there was a Contour and a Taurus. The Contour was larger then the Tempo was and the Fusion is larger then the Contour was. The Taurus grew when it was redesigned in 1996 and has grown some more in 2008.

 

But the difference is that was back when Ford had cash flowing out of every poorly fitted body panel. They had money to throw away...hence the purchase of Aston and Jag.

 

But in 2003-2005 when the Fusion and Five hundred were being developed, they did not have the money and yet replaced the Taurus with two cars.

Edited November 28, 2007 by P71_CrownVic

[P71_CrownVic]

I fixed it already. I heat the word proved. Proven is much better.

How do you "heat" a word?

Edited November 28, 2007 by P71_CrownVic

[suv_guy_19]

But in 2003-2005 when the Fusion and Five hundred were being developed, they did not have the money and yet replaced the Taurus with two cars.

 

Actually they still had the money then. I remember that many reviews at the time spoke of Ford's deep pockets. Ford is no longer after the mass market. They have to fill different niches and that cannot be done with a single car. Form what we've heard the Fusion is very profitable. Not sure about the Taurus.

[P71_CrownVic]

Actually they still had the money then. I remember that many reviews at the time spoke of Ford's deep pockets. Ford is no longer after the mass market. They have to fill different niches and that cannot be done with a single car. Form what we've heard the Fusion is very profitable. Not sure about the Taurus.

How do you go from "having money then", to losing $24,162 PER MINUTE in 2006?

[suv_guy_19]

How do you go from "having money then", to losing $24,162 PER MINUTE in 2006?

 

They still have money now, they just aren't making money. Also, they only lost 1/6 of that, the rest was restructuring costs.

[TomServo92]

How do you go from "having money then", to losing $24,162 PER MINUTE in 2006?

 

You purchase Jaguar and pump billions into it?

[P71_CrownVic]

They still have money now, they just aren't making money. Also, they only lost 1/6 of that, the rest was restructuring costs.

Well no matter how you cut it, 12.7 billion is 12.7 billion.

 

And again, how do you "heat the word proved"?

[P71_CrownVic]

You purchase Jaguar and pump billions into it?

So, 2006 was the only year since 2000 that they pumped billions into it?

[suv_guy_19]

Well no matter how you cut it, 12.7 billion is 12.7 billion.

 

And again, how do you "heat the word proved"?

 

 

I can't seem to heat the right buttons lol. That one was on purpose. I'm not sure whats wrong. I think I must be tired.

[P71_CrownVic]

I can't seem to heat the right buttons lol. That one was on purpose. I'm not sure whats wrong. I think I must be tired.

Or dyslexic.

[suv_guy_19]

Or dyslexic.

 

 

Yes. I suddenly became dyslexic. That dyslexia caused my fingers to begin hitting the wrong buttons. It may also have to do with the 2 essays that I finished today.

[TomServo92]

So, 2006 was the only year since 2000 that they pumped billions into it?

 

I thought these might help you out:

 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humor

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke

 

:reading:

[2005Explorer]

But the difference is that was back when Ford had cash flowing out of every poorly fitted body panel. They had money to throw away...hence the purchase of Aston and Jag.

 

But in 2003-2005 when the Fusion and Five hundred were being developed, they did not have the money and yet replaced the Taurus with two cars.

 

You must then realize that if Ford had not introduced the Fusion and the Five-Hundred (now Taurus) they would have 3 passenger cars. Focus, Mustang and Taurus. The Crown Vic is now a fleet only vehicle. I think having 4 passenger cars as a full line manufacturer is not overkill. The Focus targets the small and compact market, the Fusion the midsize market, the Taurus upper midsize and fullsize market and the Mustang the sports car market.

 

I don't see a lot of overlap. I consider a good example of overlap the new Malibu and the Impala.

[Hemiman]

Ford is no longer after the mass market.

 

 

????????. Yes they are. Ford HAS to be a player in the mass market & they know it. Just because they haven't been as successful lately as in the past, doesn't mean they've changed thier philosophy from being a mass-marketed, mid-priced manufacturer to that of a niche manufacturer. They're trying hard for the next "hit" and when they get it they'll run with it. Hopefully, they've learned keep driving a success, unlike in the past..... Taurus, Ranger, Escort.... all #1 sellers.

[Blueblood]

????????. Yes they are. Ford HAS to be a player in the mass market & they know it. Just because they haven't been as successful lately as in the past, doesn't mean they've changed thier philosophy from being a mass-marketed, mid-priced manufacturer to that of a niche manufacturer. They're trying hard for the next "hit" and when they get it they'll run with it. Hopefully, they've learned keep driving a success, unlike in the past..... Taurus, Ranger, Escort.... all #1 sellers.

 

 

Yea, just what is he talking about? Ford isn't Subaru..

[akirby]

????????. Yes they are. Ford HAS to be a player in the mass market & they know it. Just because they haven't been as successful lately as in the past, doesn't mean they've changed thier philosophy from being a mass-marketed, mid-priced manufacturer to that of a niche manufacturer. They're trying hard for the next "hit" and when they get it they'll run with it. Hopefully, they've learned keep driving a success, unlike in the past..... Taurus, Ranger, Escort.... all #1 sellers.

 

What he meant was that Ford's strategy is to have several cars that sell 100K-200K per year rather than one that sells 400K. They're just diversifying the portfolio and not putting all their eggs in one model. They learned their lesson from the Explorer

[NickF1011]

20 Million folk liked the name Nick

 

The all-new Ford Nick!

 

Finally, the recognition I deserve.

[suv_guy_19]

What he meant was that Ford's strategy is to have several cars that sell 100K-200K per year rather than one that sells 400K. They're just diversifying the portfolio and not putting all their eggs in one model. They learned their lesson from the Explorer

 

 

Exactly what I meant. Apologies, it was late. They aren't after one niche market, but many. Like people always say, the days of selling 500000 anythings are numbered.

[akirby]

Exactly what I meant. Apologies, it was late. They aren't after one niche market, but many. Like people always say, the days of selling 500000 anythings are numbered.

 

Well, the days of selling 400K or 500K of a NEW vehicle are certainly over. There are way too many good choices now. The market has become saturated - think of how many vehicles are available now in each segment versus 10 years ago. Considering that the overall vehicle sales have been somewhat stagnant the last few years (and maybe even down some this year) along with all the new players and I think Ford's strategy of having more vehicles with lower volumes is a smart move - one they probably should have made a few years ago.

[Ralph Greene]

I don't think many of Fords new cars are advertised well. Or smartly.

 

I was taught in Business School to sell with features and benefits. You list the features and explain the benefits of the features. You don't rely on the consumer to make the connection between the two. You spell it out.

 

I see ads that show a few features, with no explanations of any benefits. I see ads that seem to show some product benefits, that let you guess what the features are.

 

I believe some basic advertising needs to be done. Show the incredible features of the new Taurus, it's family size, it's economy, it's safety, it's ease of entry, and show the benifits of those features. Just saying it is large, without showing the size of the trunk, the fold down seats, the leg room in back, the high seating position, etc, doesn't tell the story. Mention the ease of entry, and then show some elderly people getting in and out. And lots of people have knee problems who aren't elderly. And lots of people like a SUV like driving position.

 

I also don't expect the features and benefits of the Taurus/Sable to impress the younger buyers, so why not aim it at the family and older buyers? Show it's features and benefits to the crowd likely to be buyers.

Edited November 28, 2007 by Ralph Greene

[suv_guy_19]

And lots of people like a SUV like driving position.

 

 

Lol I watched a review of the Taurus and they really liked it except they called it bland and said that they wished it sat lower!. He said it felt too much like an SUV. I was thinking....yeah...thats the point lol.

[suv_guy_19]

http://drivingtv.canada.com/ Its at this link.

[Ford-150]

Im giving the ASS award to everybody that helped derail this thread because of Vic's stupid derailing comment in the second post of this thread

 

congratulations people!