DetroitWonk Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 If Wert wants to haul anything off to New Jersey, be they closet doors, furniture or the bodies of competing bloggers, he'll have to pick a new family truckster to do the deed. We've learned the 2009 model year should be the last for Ford's name-changing razor-bladed wagon. Taurus X, we hardly knew ya. Ford CEO Alan Mulally recently said a redesign of the Taurus sedan will happen much sooner than originally planned. By sometime next year, Mulally said the next generation of the Taurus will move away from "Homer Simpson" and be more like what Ford "should have made originally." We've now learned from supplier sources that the wagon variant will not be part of this quick redesign. More importantly, sales of the Taurus X should cease within 14-18 months. We think this means the 2009 model year will be the last for the Ford once known as Freestyle. However, we won't be totally shocked if we end up getting a partial 2010 model year as the build-out of the Taurus X concludes. More: Goodbye, Dave: Taurus X To Say Farewell By 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 If Wert wants to haul anything off to New Jersey, be they closet doors, furniture or the bodies of competing bloggers, he'll have to pick a new family truckster to do the deed. We've learned the 2009 model year should be the last for Ford's name-changing razor-bladed wagon. Taurus X, we hardly knew ya. Ford CEO Alan Mulally recently said a redesign of the Taurus sedan will happen much sooner than originally planned. By sometime next year, Mulally said the next generation of the Taurus will move away from "Homer Simpson" and be more like what Ford "should have made originally." We've now learned from supplier sources that the wagon variant will not be part of this quick redesign. More importantly, sales of the Taurus X should cease within 14-18 months. We think this means the 2009 model year will be the last for the Ford once known as Freestyle. However, we won't be totally shocked if we end up getting a partial 2010 model year as the build-out of the Taurus X concludes. More: Goodbye, Dave: Taurus X To Say Farewell By 2010 saw this coming...should be re-typed...taurus X ...we hardly sold ya.....would love to know NATIONAL sales #'s...if it was a sucess it would proabbly be continued...great car built for a non existant market.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critic Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) Escape, Explorer, Edge, TaurusX, Flex, Expedition. So that author was bringing earth shattering news to the table? Edited February 19, 2008 by Critic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattak1 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 If Wert wants to haul anything off to New Jersey, be they closet doors, furniture or the bodies of competing bloggers, he'll have to pick a new family truckster to do the deed. We've learned the 2009 model year should be the last for Ford's name-changing razor-bladed wagon. Taurus X, we hardly knew ya. Ford CEO Alan Mulally recently said a redesign of the Taurus sedan will happen much sooner than originally planned. By sometime next year, Mulally said the next generation of the Taurus will move away from "Homer Simpson" and be more like what Ford "should have made originally." We've now learned from supplier sources that the wagon variant will not be part of this quick redesign. More importantly, sales of the Taurus X should cease within 14-18 months. We think this means the 2009 model year will be the last for the Ford once known as Freestyle. However, we won't be totally shocked if we end up getting a partial 2010 model year as the build-out of the Taurus X concludes. More: Goodbye, Dave: Taurus X To Say Farewell By 2010 Bummer! Just waiting for a used TX to come on the market for me. Need to replace my 96 Tahoe with something newer and that seats more. Has a great engine and transmission in it now. But they do zero advertising! Peace and Blessings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante hicks Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 great car built for a non existant market.... I'm not sure the market is non-existent, but I do know Ford never marketed to them. It handles better than a minivan but is not quite as flexible. I think there are a decent number of families who would want such a vehicle. I'm buying one this summer, and I definitely prefer it to the old Freestar and the Mazda5 (which I really wanted to like better) -- it's been a while since I've been in a minivan from a competitor. I glanced at a Caravan at NAIAS to compare how much "trunk" space we'd be losing by getting the X, and it's a decent amount, but I think the situation in which we've got more than 4 people in the car and a lot of stuff will be pretty rare. I suppose that because the Flex is coming, it's redundant, but looks-wise, both my wife and I prefer the X. And I'm not sure the extra size is worth the extra weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bored of Pisteon Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Good, maybe they'll bring back the :banana piano: :banana piano: LTD Country Squire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 IMHO, from the A-pillar back, the X had nothing but SUV Ford styling, so it looked like another big V-8 SUV, just as it became no longer "in" to own a big V-8 SUV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'm not sure the market is non-existent, but I do know Ford never marketed to them. It handles better than a minivan but is not quite as flexible. I think there are a decent number of families who would want such a vehicle. I'm buying one this summer, and I definitely prefer it to the old Freestar and the Mazda5 (which I really wanted to like better) -- it's been a while since I've been in a minivan from a competitor. I glanced at a Caravan at NAIAS to compare how much "trunk" space we'd be losing by getting the X, and it's a decent amount, but I think the situation in which we've got more than 4 people in the car and a lot of stuff will be pretty rare. I suppose that because the Flex is coming, it's redundant, but looks-wise, both my wife and I prefer the X. And I'm not sure the extra size is worth the extra weight. marketing may have had a lot to do with it...but in all sincerity it was/ is a sales flop....and I actually like the car, but then I also like the Sports-trac....another vehicle that probably needs to go..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critic Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 marketing may have had a lot to do with it...but in all sincerity it was/ is a sales flop....and I actually like the car, but then I also like the Sports-trac....another vehicle that probably needs to go..... IMO Freestyle from the beginning was a flop due to 2 things. Pure shoebox styling and a similarity to Freestar name. You couldn't even keep the names separate when in the dealership, and trying to discuss the vehicle's with someone. I've never seen a more bland vehicle than this TaurusX. Perhaps previous Aztec owners made up the majority of sales for this. For 30K, I'd like to think I at least had some taste instead of throwing money away on a plain jane chick, no one wanted to ask to the prom. The Sports-trac seems to be geared to a single man or newly married with an attitude of wanting to get away on the weekend for a little camping. It still has room 1 to 2 or 3 small kids that might be coming. By the time the bank loan is paid off, then the fun is gone and time to move into something more practical for a family. It's a little more pratical for hauling things, than shoving wood into the back of a regular Exploder. Sport-trac will probably stay, when the next gen. of Explorer comes online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 IMO Freestyle from the beginning was a flop due to 2 things. Pure shoebox styling and a similarity to Freestar name. You couldn't even keep the names separate when in the dealership, and trying to discuss the vehicle's with someone. I've never seen a more bland vehicle than this TaurusX. Perhaps previous Aztec owners made up the majority of sales for this. For 30K, I'd like to think I at least had some taste instead of throwing money away on a plain jane chick, no one wanted to ask to the prom. The Sports-trac seems to be geared to a single man or newly married with an attitude of wanting to get away on the weekend for a little camping. It still has room 1 to 2 or 3 small kids that might be coming. By the time the bank loan is paid off, then the fun is gone and time to move into something more practical for a family. It's a little more pratical for hauling things, than shoving wood into the back of a regular Exploder. Sport-trac will probably stay, when the next gen. of Explorer comes online. agree with all you are saying...as for the Freestar....minivans are NOT chic...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The Flex was always penned as a replacement to the Freestyle and is one of the reasons the Freestyle became part of the Taurus brand in order to focus marketing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The Flex was always penned as a replacement to the Freestyle and is one of the reasons the Freestyle became part of the Taurus brand in order to focus marketing. And then they decided not to market it anyway....maybe they though they should wait until there was a better looking Taurus before they told people about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Hmmm.... Toyota has room for a crossover wagon type thing (the Venza or whatever it's called), but Ford doesn't? So now we have the Edge/Escape (which both have two rows), the Explorer (which is being made more 'car' like), the Flex (minivan replacement) and the Expedition. Instead of killing it, revise what people don't like about it and give it to Mercury. I hate how Ford throws away so much development dollars, only to half bake something from the start, then kill it because they can't move enough of em. Personally, I like the Taurus X. The design is kinda front end heavy, but it does well for it's intended purpose. Hauling people. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs and I've sat in the back row for one of those things for hours on end. My back wasn't sore, I wasn't eating kneecap and when I did drive it the power seemed about right. Killing a vehicle that hasn't been around that long just strikes me as idiotic. Unless there is some sort of upcoming product to slot into its place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingincirclez Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 IMO Freestyle from the beginning was a flop due to 2 things. Pure shoebox styling and a similarity to Freestar name. You couldn't even keep the names separate when in the dealership, and trying to discuss the vehicle's with someone. I've never seen a more bland vehicle than this TaurusX. Perhaps previous Aztec owners made up the majority of sales for this. For 30K, I'd like to think I at least had some taste instead of throwing money away on a plain jane chick, no one wanted to ask to the prom. The name thing really was retarded. And I'm right there with you on the styling and price... Peter Delorenzo even printed an email from me when it was first unveiled in 2004 that basically said the same thing as you. "30K for a bloated Escort Wagon? I think not!" That said, having bought one used for a more reasonable price, it really is a nice vehicle and it's a shame it didn;t find a stronger niche, or that people couldn't get past the looks. I love it. More versatile than an SUV without the piss-poor ride, handling, and mileage. It does everything my family needs, and while the D30 is loud, it gets along just fine (besides, I always said my lead foot could use a proper foil, heh heh). I truly believe the styling deal was just a case of bad timing. When you look at it, it truly is like a lowered Explorer from that generation - all the cues are there. When it was designed, this surely seemed like a sure-fire bet. Nobody would have argued. Then by the time it hit the lots, that style just fell way out of favor - as reflected by the dive in Explorer sales. Typical murphyism for Ford. It sounds like they addressed all the faults with the Taurus rename and it's a damn shame it didn't pay off. Although Ford is certainly reaping what their lousy / absent marketing has sowed. Morons. And yeah, as long as CAP has the capacity, why not throw Mercury a bone? All we hear around here is how "it costs nothing to keep Mercury, and it sells more cars to people who do';t want a Ford, so they should keep it". Well, here's a situation that pokes holes in THAT argument. In that sense, the Freestyle / Taurus X will go down as something of an enigma: A wonderful vehicle that should have sold well but never did, for reasons nobody will ever fully understand. Hopefully when the time comes to replace ours, the Flex will be the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattak1 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Hmmm.... Toyota has room for a crossover wagon type thing (the Venza or whatever it's called), but Ford doesn't? So now we have the Edge/Escape (which both have two rows), the Explorer (which is being made more 'car' like), the Flex (minivan replacement) and the Expedition. Instead of killing it, revise what people don't like about it and give it to Mercury. I hate how Ford throws away so much development dollars, only to half bake something from the start, then kill it because they can't move enough of em. Personally, I like the Taurus X. The design is kinda front end heavy, but it does well for it's intended purpose. Hauling people. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs and I've sat in the back row for one of those things for hours on end. My back wasn't sore, I wasn't eating kneecap and when I did drive it the power seemed about right. Killing a vehicle that hasn't been around that long just strikes me as idiotic. Unless there is some sort of upcoming product to slot into its place. I agree. That is where I am coming from. What else is there other than a minivan that will seat 6 or 7 people that is not an SUV? Maybe people only really want minivans or SUV and are fine with sedans that only seat 5. But not me. I do not want a minivan. Because if I am going to drive a minivan it should seat more than 7 comfortably! But I would like something sedan like that can seat 7. I think for a family with 3 or 4 kids the TX can be a great option in a vehicle to the minivan. The problem I see is that it is just a bit too expensive. Not sure why it needs to be 3k more than the sedan. It is not so laden with options to claim that... Peace and Blessings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim kakouris Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 it really is a good car. very useful. i'd buy another, especially after the updates. but, just like has been said, it appears as though ford may have this cars market covered with other vehicles, and too keep it may just be redundant. i just hope the planned replacements aren't too trucky. i don't particularly want an suv-type device for family hauling and such, and the milage i get puts any suv to shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Killing a vehicle that hasn't been around that long just strikes me as idiotic. Unless there is some sort of upcoming product to slot into its place. I think its total overkill to have the Taurus X, the Flex and the upcoming Explorer and not to mention the Edge all occupying the same market for the most part. The Freestyle/Taurus X was a good idea, but its packing was too much like a station wagon (which is bigger curse of death then a Minivan) and it never took off because of that (but sales have been up this year..go figure)...if the Taurus X was more like the Explorer, like the Lamaba crossovers, I think it would have been more successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 "Just waiting for a used TX.." There is one reason why, many Ford loyalist buy used since they know resale is low, so... If the D3 were an import brand, it would have been called a 'home run', but since the auto media expected an answer to the Modog 300, so it was tainted, and then the lemmings still got Toyota/Lexus crossovers. The Lexus RX is the same looking design, but richer women buy them as if they were featured on "Sex and the City". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Hmmm.... Toyota has room for a crossover wagon type thing (the Venza or whatever it's called), but Ford doesn't? So now we have the Edge/Escape (which both have two rows), the Explorer (which is being made more 'car' like), the Flex (minivan replacement) and the Expedition. Instead of killing it, revise what people don't like about it and give it to Mercury. I hate how Ford throws away so much development dollars, only to half bake something from the start, then kill it because they can't move enough of em. Personally, I like the Taurus X. The design is kinda front end heavy, but it does well for it's intended purpose. Hauling people. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs and I've sat in the back row for one of those things for hours on end. My back wasn't sore, I wasn't eating kneecap and when I did drive it the power seemed about right. Killing a vehicle that hasn't been around that long just strikes me as idiotic. Unless there is some sort of upcoming product to slot into its place. I've said they should give it to Mercury for some time now. And Flex will slot into it's place in the lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I think its total overkill to have the Taurus X, the Flex and the upcoming Explorer and not to mention the Edge all occupying the same market for the most part. The Freestyle/Taurus X was a good idea, but its packing was too much like a station wagon (which is bigger curse of death then a Minivan) and it never took off because of that (but sales have been up this year..go figure)...if the Taurus X was more like the Explorer, like the Lamaba crossovers, I think it would have been more successful. Well, now Ford will have Edge and Flex being the medium and large crossovers, respectively with Explorer fitting right in the middle. I agree that the TX was a good idea. As you stated, sales have been increasing, and I've seen a lot more of the new TXs than I ever did of Freestyles. Explorer will be the Lambda like vehicle for Ford when it's redone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango_28 Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I really like my 06 Freestyle, fits my family well and gets great mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordFanForEver Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've said they should give it to Mercury for some time now. And Flex will slot into it's place in the lineup. Agreed, Ford does not really need the TX as it has the Edge, Flex and soon to be Explorer concept and the Kuga concept. However, Mercury should have recieved the Meta One concept. Bad move on Ford, very bad move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Well, the reality is the new unibody [next D3?] Explorer is coming and something has to go. Just giving the next generation Freestyle a new-old name again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordFanForEver Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Well, the reality is the new unibody [next D3?] Explorer is coming and something has to go. Just giving the next generation Freestyle a new-old name again. hopefully the mountaineer will remain, even with the slow sales. The mountaineer is actually a nice suv, i rode in a 2007 a few days ago, Very comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 hopefully the mountaineer will remain, even with the slow sales. The mountaineer is actually a nice suv, i rode in a 2007 a few days ago, Very comfortable. If comfort is your chief concern, I would imagine the next gen unit body Explorer would have it in spades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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