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Ford ending production of Taurus X and Mercury Sable

Ford ending production of Taurus X and Mercury Sable

James Martinez December 4th, 2008 James Martinez By James Martinez Author December 4th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Ford’s North American lineup will be experiencing a major overhaul over the next couple of years, with the entire lineup expected to be completely upgraded by 2010 and six new European models set to join the ranks. The biggest impact is the considerable shift towards smaller vehicles and more fuel-efficient powertrains as both a near and mid-term response to changing demand. Ford has now confirmed that it will be dropping the Taurus X and Mercury Sable, with production on both models set to end the first and second quarters, respectively, of next year. Dealers have already been told to start taking final orders. The fullsize Sable sedan doesn’t fit in with Ford’s plan to realign the Mercury brand with smaller cars and crossovers, while the introduction of the new Flex crossover makes the aging Taurus X redundant. Both vehicles are built at the Ford’s Chicago assembly plant, which recently began production of the Lincoln MKS sedan, and which also produces the Ford Taurus sedan on the same platform. According to Automotive News, poor sales of both vehicles - down almost 41% for the Taurus X and 21% for the Sable – meant that Ford sold just 15,586 Sables for the year to date, while the Taurus X managed to sell only 22,141 units. In this way the decision to drop the vehicles makes sound economic sense for Ford, as well as helping to promote a range of smaller and more efficient cars.
Ford dealers have already been told to start taking final orders

Ford dealers have already been told to start taking final orders

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Ford’s North American lineup will be experiencing a major overhaul over the next couple of years, with the entire lineup expected to be completely upgraded by 2010 and six new European models set to join the ranks. The biggest impact is the considerable shift towards smaller vehicles and more fuel-efficient powertrains as both a near and mid-term response to changing demand.

Ford has now confirmed that it will be dropping the Taurus X and Mercury Sable, with production on both models set to end the first and second quarters, respectively, of next year. Dealers have already been told to start taking final orders.

The fullsize Sable sedan doesn’t fit in with Ford’s plan to realign the Mercury brand with smaller cars and crossovers, while the introduction of the new Flex crossover makes the aging Taurus X redundant.

Both vehicles are built at the Ford’s Chicago assembly plant, which recently began production of the Lincoln MKS sedan, and which also produces the Ford Taurus sedan on the same platform. According to Automotive News, poor sales of both vehicles - down almost 41% for the Taurus X and 21% for the Sable – meant that Ford sold just 15,586 Sables for the year to date, while the Taurus X managed to sell only 22,141 units. In this way the decision to drop the vehicles makes sound economic sense for Ford, as well as helping to promote a range of smaller and more efficient cars.

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Posted in: 2008, Mercury, Ford, News, Sable, Taurus


Comments (10 total)

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  1. By bambam #1, Posted: 8/11/2008

    A quick look and it seems like a good decision to me.
    Its now about the future models, I hope there right.

  2. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com #2, Posted: 8/11/2008

    Can we assume that the arrival of Flex is what killed the Taurus X?

  3. By Gus #3, Posted: 8/11/2008

    Taurus X seemed like a silly name to me.

  4. By Chris #4, Posted: 8/11/2008

    yeah the flex was always supposed to supplant the freestyle/taurus x... its the same platform.. just different styling.. and much nicer interior if i might add.

    I'm sad to see the fusion GT delayed until the next product cycle... I dont see the problem though.. the MKS is getting the same engine in 2010, and that HALDEX AWD system is almost certainly ready to go today.

  5. By NoNameDenton #5, Posted: 8/11/2008

    Move the Tarus X over to Mercury and make it look like the Meta One concept.

  6. By Tom Mills #6, Posted: 8/11/2008

    Two bland, boring cars tossed in the trash bin, only about 12 more to go from old Ford. Make quality cars with interesting styling and decent gas mileage and customers might actually return.

  7. By HECTOR #7, Posted: 8/11/2008

    @ MWOW:

    What killed The Taurus X is the fact that is was called the Taurus X and it looked like the Taurus X. And also, it was called the Taurus X.

  8. ma_Chris avatar by Chris #8, Posted: 12/5/2008

    hector.. you trying your hands at rebranding platforms? take two points and make it look like three?

    if you think taurus X is a bad name.. what is your opinion of Honda Element, or Toyota Yaris. what the hell is a yaris anyways? sounds like an alien body part.

    you make fun of the name because it's a product that doesnt sell.. you trash the looks but were you ever in the market for a full sized crossover or minivan? no. i'll admit i'd much rather be seen in an enclave, but aside from that, the market segment isnt about sex appeal. whens the last time you heard some one say "that caravan makes me want to wash it in the nude and rub myself all over it"........

    ..exactly.

  9. ma_james avatar by James Martinez #9, Posted: 12/5/2008

    hahaha, chris just tackled the argument.
    also, when did ford think that the taurus x should have been put into production in the first place? it's as generic and boring as a car can get

  10. ma_iluvamericancarz avatar by iluvamericancarz #10, Posted: 12/5/2008

    i think they should just make a taurus wagon. screw sable. about the funny names, heres some: sentra, accord, esteem, durango,

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