If I was in charge of Ford

[Payman]

First of all, renaming the Five Hundred to Taurus, and the Freestyle to Taurus X, is a horrible idea that smacks of desperation. The Taurus name may have once been an admired and recognisable name, but now it just means "cheap Ford rental car". The current names are good, and should be kept. Same with Fusion.

Next, I would bring in the Australian Falcon, and keep the name. A large RWD family car would be a great fit in the lineup, and would give Ford a 300, Impala and G8 competitior. It would also be the basis of a Lincoln model, to compete with the Cadillac CTS and STS.

Next, I would bring over the S-Max, and Galaxy:





The S-Max is an excellent crossover and would compete with the Mazda CX-7 and GMC Acadia. The Galaxy would be a good Honda Odyssey and Chrysler competitior.

I think the Ford Ka would make a good entry level Fiesta:




As for Mercury, I would bring back the Cougar and the Capri, the latter would be a version of the new European Mondeo, and the Cougar similar to the recent show car, based on Falcon mechanicals.

Well, all that is what I would do for a start. GM is on the rebound with great product in the pipeline, and the best that Ford is doing is renaming a few models.

[ifcar]

Taurus doesn't mean fleet sales to most people, it just means "Ford midsize sedan." Bringing over the Galaxy would only work with a heavy restyle to make it look more like an SUV (unfortunately). Toss in bringing over the Euro Focus badged as a Mercury, and that's a nice lineup.

[SaltyDog]

The styling of the S-Max and Galaxy wouldn't fly in the US, but I agree with your other ideas.  As for the Euro Focus, I don't care what it's called or badged as, I just want it here.

[Payman]

The styling of the S-Max and Galaxy wouldn't fly in the US, but I agree with your other ideas.? As for the Euro Focus, I don't care what it's called or badged as, I just want it here.

Really? I think they look better than anything currently on the market here, save for the Mazda CX-7.

[MX793]

The S-Max is an excellent crossover and would compete with the Mazda CX-7 and GMC Acadia.

Umm, the CX-7 and Acadia aren't in the same class nor do they compete with each other.  The CX-7 is like a Rav4 competitor while the Acadia is the size of a Tahoe.

[Payman]

Umm, the CX-7 and Acadia aren't in the same class nor do they compete with each other.? The CX-7 is like a Rav4 competitor while the Acadia is the size of a Tahoe.

Okay, so keep the Edge to compete with the Acadia and CX-9, and bring over the S-Max to compete with the CX-7.
Whatever. Ford needs this crossover here.

[ifcar]

Umm, the CX-7 and Acadia aren't in the same class nor do they compete with each other.  The CX-7 is like a Rav4 competitor while the Acadia is the size of a Tahoe.

Maybe he meant CX-9, which is a direct Acadia competitor.

[TBR]

Why would Ford specifically want to compete with either the CX-7 or the CX-9? Besides, Ford already has an excellet Acadia competitor in the Freestyle and you could say that the Edge competes with the midsize crossover class.

But they should bring the Galaxy over. Just slap sliders on the its doors and make it a minivan.

[the Teuton]

They'd at least have an entrant in a market that they pulled out if they did that.  I think it's pathetic that they completely pulled out of the minivan market altogether in America.

[3.0L V6]

I would probably be fired for gross incompetence. You know, no management degrees/business degrees. Then I'd hope they give me a golden parachute. I'd buy whatever car I want. I only excel at what I know, which is what cars appeal to me.

I see trucks as work vehicles, so most of Ford's sales would be of no interest in me

[Payman]

Why would Ford specifically want to compete with either the CX-7 or the CX-9? Besides, Ford already has an excellet Acadia competitor in the Freestyle and you could say that the Edge competes with the midsize crossover class.

But they should bring the Galaxy over. Just slap sliders on the its doors and make it a minivan.

Because it's an award winning vehicle in Europe? It would fit as an excellent entry level crossover.

[Raza]

Hmm; I'll give it some thought.

[TBR]

Because it's an award winning vehicle in Europe? It would fit as an excellent entry level crossover.

And that works so well over here (example- Contour). It isn't  really even a crossover anyway, more like a minivan with regular doors.

[VetteZ06]

Taurus doesn't mean fleet sales to most people, it just means "Ford midsize sedan."

I'm not so sure about that. Anybody who's had a rental car once or twice in his life has probably had the displeasure of driving a Taurus. If they don't immediately associate it with rental cars, most people still think it's cheap (for good reason).

And for some reason, I'm strangely attracted to the S-Max.

[chevyguy06]

I don't see a point in bringing over the S-Max and the Galaxy, the look nearly identical.

[Payman]

And that works so well over here (example- Contour). It isn't? really even a crossover anyway, more like a minivan with regular doors.

Well then, it would be a good competitor for the Mazda5, which I believe is selling very well.

[ifcar]

I'm not so sure about that. Anybody who's had a rental car once or twice in his life has probably had the displeasure of driving a Taurus. If they don't immediately associate it with rental cars, most people still think it's cheap (for good reason).

It can be quickly associated with "midsize Ford", which is more than "Five Hundred" can be. It wasn't a terrible car either.

[Payman]

The S-Max was on Top Gear today, and they all agreed it was a terrific vehicle... even Clarkson!

[ifcar]

Well then, it would be a good competitor for the Mazda5, which I believe is selling very well.

That's great, except that they're mechanically identical, and Ford already owns a third of Mazda. It isn't exactly a hot seller, either.

[Payman]

That's great, except that they're mechanically identical, and Ford already owns a third of Mazda. It isn't exactly a hot seller, either.

Yes, but they look totally different, like the Fusion looks different than the Mazda6.

[chevyguy06]

Yes, but they look totally different, like the Fusion looks different than the Mazda6.

Looks isn't the point. Why bring a competitor for something thats in the Ford family?

[Payman]

Looks isn't the point. Why bring another competitor to a market that the Mazda5 is pretty much alone in?

So by your reasoning the Camaro and Challenger are bad ideas.

[chevyguy06]

The Camaro and Challenger are from different companies than what they're coming out to compete with, the Mustang.

[Payman]

Nice editing. 

[chevyguy06]

My point was...The Mazda5 and these 2 vehicles are in the same family, it would be dumb to bring over a car to possibly take sales away from another of your vehicles.

[Payman]

The Camaro and Challenger are from different companies than what they're coming out to compete with, the Mustang.

Okay, so we'll never see another Mercury Cougar?

[chevyguy06]

Nice editing.

I edited before you posted.

[Payman]

My point was...The Mazda5 and these 2 vehicles are in the same family, it would be dumb to bring over a car to possibly take sales away from another of your vehicles.

That's like saying the Grand Prix takes sales away from the Impala. Not everyone has the same taste in design, so you want to offer a few variations on the same platform. Nearly every car company does it.

[chevyguy06]

I don't see a point in Ford competing with 2 cars in a segment they have sole control over. (Mini-mini-vans)

[VetteZ06]

It wasn't a terrible car either.

Ha. Ha. Ha.