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Taurus X, Sable on Death Row

Taurus X, Sable on Death Row

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty PadgettMarty Padgett August 11th, 2008

2008 Mercury Sable

2008 Mercury Sable

Enlarge Photo

The Detroit News takes the helm of the U.S.S. Obvious this morning, reporting that the Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X are headed for the end of the road.

The paper says it reviewed documents that show the Sable and Taurus X ending production next year. The notion is that with the Ford Flex in production, Ford showrooms don't need the slightly smaller, slightly less attractive Taurus X crowding it out on the floor. The Sable came back to life just this year--but Ford's new plan for Mercury is for smaller cars and crossovers to complement the biggies over at co-brand Lincoln.

Both vehicles in question are built at Ford's Chicago assembly plant, which will begin building a new Ford Taurus sometime next year.

Ford had no comment to the news story. 2008 Mercury SableEnlarge Photo The Detroit News takes the helm of the U.S.S. Obvious this morning, reporting that the Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X are headed for the end of the road. The paper says it reviewed documents that show the Sable and Taurus X ending production next year. The notion is that with the Ford Flex in production, Ford showrooms don't need the slightly smaller, slightly less attractive Taurus X crowding it out on the floor. The Sable came back to life just this year--but Ford's new plan for Mercury is for smaller cars and crossovers to complement the biggies over at co-brand Lincoln. Both vehicles in question are built at Ford's Chicago assembly plant, which will begin building a new Ford Taurus sometime next year. Ford had no comment to the news story.

Posted in: 2008, Ford, Mercury, Taurus X



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Responses (3 total)

  1. By geoff thomas #1, Posted: 8/11/2008

    typically, ford has done little to advertise any of the 500/Taurus models-
    I have a Mercury Montego- 43K and it is a good car- shame to see them cut the potential winners .....

  2. By Luc #2, Posted: 8/11/2008

    Hi,
    That is a shame. The Taurus X is one of the best 7 passenger vehicle on the road right now. It's got great power with the new 3.5 engine and great 6 speed transmission, seven comfortable/great visibility at all positions because of it's opera style seating. I was a Ford Dealer and have had the Freestyle AWD as a demo for 9 months in all conditions ( lots of rain, extreme snow storms and ice conditions) and have also driven the Taurus X and can hence talk in confidence about this vehicle. It's the best family demo I've ever driven and have been a Ford dealer for 19 years. The only weakness for my personal needs as I am an avid camper/boater is the 1000 pound towing capacity which the Flex fixes. In this market which screams for fuel efficent vehicles, the Taurus X has a better "look" as it looks less "square". Lots of purchases are made on looks more that reality. So if the same advertising budget had been given the the Freestyle/Taurus X as will be for the Edge, the need for the Flex development would could have been avoided altogether. That opportunity having been missed, as you can only launch a vehicle efficiently once, the Taurus X might indeed be on a tight rope. Hope the Flex's square look won't have too much "mental" effects and hence hamper the success of that line of vehicle which I have not driven yet.
    All the best to your great web magazine's staff which I really appreciate daily. Keep on the great work!

  3. By JKD #3, Posted: 8/11/2008

    I like the Taurus X but I think (and I voted with my money) that vans are more practical. The new and thirsty Flex just doesn't make ANY sense at this point but shooting themselves in the foot is what Detroit does well. It should be an olympic sport. 4x100m relay, baby!!!

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