Rumormill: Ford Taurus X cancelled after MY 2009
click above for more high-res images of the 2008 Ford Taurus X
After a quick consult with some tea leaves and a few supplier sources, Jalopnik's Auto Insider is calling it: the Taurus X will be dead after the 2009 model year. While not a revelation to make you run out and stock up on bottled water, this possible early demise of the Taurus X is the latest example of how far off the mark the original Five-Hundred sedan and Freestyle were with consumers, and how Ford was ultimately unable to correct its aim.
The original 2005 Five-Hundred and Freestyle debuted to a slow sales start and were around until 2007, when then virgin CEO Alan Mulally made the decision to resurrect the Taurus nameplate on the refreshened 2008 models. Along with their new names of Taurus and Taurus X, each got corporate faces with three-bar grilles as well as the automaker's new 3.5L V6. Ford must've thought sales would pick up in earnest as the 2008 models were both more interesting to look and more powerful than the vehicles they replaced. But sales didn't pick up and Mulally recently announced another major change for the Taurus: a completely new version for next year that he calls, "the one we should have made originally." According to Jalopnik's informed insider, the Taurus X model is apparently not included in those plans.
It may be sad to see a vehicle cancelled that was supremely competent in most respects, but Ford's CUV lineup is already overflowing with product that overlaps, and soon the seven-passenger Flex will muscle in and demand some marketshare. Ford, of course, has not officially commented on the fate of the Taurus X, but if the tea leaves turn out to be true, we say farewell to the four-year-old CUV from Ford.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X
[Source: Jalopnik, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mercury Mountaineer 06 4:01PM (2/19/2008)
Good kill the Taurus X and then send it over to Mercury and call it the Meta-One. That way Mercury will have a big CUV and it's own model.
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VK 4:05PM (2/19/2008)
Thats exactly what they shouldve done. They shouldve gotten rid of the Freestyle all together and last year gave a refreshed version to Mercury. It wouldve been smart and easy to do
Mercury Mountaineer 06 4:09PM (2/19/2008)
You are exactly right I have been saying that for a while now.
Larico Brown 4:21PM (2/19/2008)
Thank God someone understand what i've been saying since the Freestyle/ TaurusX been out. Ford should have given the Mercury's Brand one from the start, cause here in Memphis there are a lot I mean alot of new Mercury's on the Streets. Boost up the sales for Mercury; they should have given them the Meta-one from the begining. Forget about the engine for now, But we still want that ENGINE. Since mercury is Ford anyway they should have @ least given Mercury a CUV.
Tired 4:38PM (2/19/2008)
Taurus X sales were up 11% in January.
It's not a bad vehicle, wonder how it would have done with some marketing behind it?
DJ 4:04PM (2/19/2008)
This is news because????
No one at AUtoblog was aware the Flex would cause the X to become redundant?
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Polly Prissy Pants 5:32PM (2/19/2008)
Mark my words, the Flex will suffer the same fate. The Freestyle was a great vehicle as long as you could drive it blindfolded, they just made the mistake of thinking no one would mind that it looks exactly like a station wagon. With different sheet metal it could have been the next Explorer. It is truly shocking that Ford thought a design like this would sell - just as they think the Flex will sell. This kind of gross incompetence is what really makes me wonder whether Ford has it together yet or not. My guess is not but time will tell.
k.w.a 9:31PM (2/19/2008)
polly,
That's exactly what i said a couple months ago! It should come to no one's surprise that the X will be discontinued. the Flex should have been raised and called the new Explorer. If Ford took the flex design and made it into an SUV, it would look like a poor man's Ranger Rover, which would probably make it sell very well. (think of chrysler 300 and Bentley)
I have a feeling that Ford will be discontinuing the Explorer, and putting all its eggs in one basket with the Flex and Edge CUVs. I hope not, because that'll be another memorable Ford product killed off by poor management.
500 2:14PM (2/20/2008)
Polly,
It would have sold if Ford had had the balls to buck trends and make it the Taurus Wagon from the start, instead of a pseudo-SUV. Look how many previous-generation Taurus wagons you still see every day!
TAURUS WAGON!
NOreasonY 4:08PM (2/19/2008)
I can understand this move but its funny how they axe this at the same time ....chrysler/dodge is coming out with the Journey...which is basically the same thing...seems like poor research on dodges part
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MemphisNET 4:17PM (2/19/2008)
Dodge doesn't have a small CUV (The Caliber is more big hatch than small CUV).
Ford has Edge and Flex that will serve the same purpose.
Brent 4:21PM (2/19/2008)
Dodge canceled the Magnum, which is closer to this vehicle than the Journey. There is a difference between wagons and "cross overs".
Tagg 4:46PM (2/19/2008)
I agree with you that this is closer to the Journey than the Edge is. In fact the Taurus X is actually bigger in ever dimension than the Journey inside and out so you are dead on. So needless to say the Taurus X is WAY bigger than a Magnum.
Jose Burrito 4:11PM (2/19/2008)
While the axe is hot, why don't they kill the Focus as well. That thing is hideous. When did Ford become so disconnected from what the public wants? Why does Ford continue to make MUCH better models for the Europeans and Aussies?
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Larico Brown 4:21PM (2/19/2008)
i Agree about the focus, Ford should have given is the same grill as the other models too.
That One Person 4:41PM (2/19/2008)
It may be hideous but sales for the Focus are up.
Plus, after Ford's past experiences bringing Euro products here, they are probably a little hesitant on doing it again. But Ford's current Euro lineup is amazing. Heck, retool our freakin plants over here (whether they are in the US, Mexico or Canada) and build those products here. I am sure the cost to refresh the Focus would have been the same amount to just retool everything.
C.W. 4:17PM (2/19/2008)
Well, what does this tell people about the "hot" crossover market? Automakers have to bring their A game the first time. There is no second chance. Crossovers are a little too on the "fad" side. Not the IDEA of crossovers, but what the market wants. Look back at the Pacifica. Came out in what, 2003? Wasn't really a bad design, just light on power. Just 4 years later sales had fallen so much it got lost in translation. The Lambda twins (quartet) are hot right now, but what happens in a couple years when someone else has the next big thing?
Bottom Line:
Automakers have to keep products fresh and desirable. 4 year life cycles are going to be about the max if they want to accomplish that. Fuel economy must be continually advanced and innovation maximized, otherwise someone else will take your piece of the market-share-pie.
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Larico Brown 4:21PM (2/19/2008)
Why didnt they give the Pacificaa the same body/platform as the 300/ Charger.
DJ 5:20PM (2/19/2008)
"Why didnt they give the Pacificaa the same body/platform as the 300/ Charger."
Because Herr Schrempp was hellbent on forcing Mercedes parts into every orifice of the Chrysler product line. That's why the Pacifica, despite being a platform of one, used a MB rear suspension, seats, switchgear and other pieces.
Rick 8:59PM (2/19/2008)
MY 2009? What does that mean?
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