New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Olympia United States
New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
Hiya
From what I have read, the new 2004 Ford Taurus will be based on the Mazda 6 platform. My question is why?? I know that Ford owns Mazda and there is a lot of cross-platfrom for different models between the two, but why the Mazda 6??
The Mazda 6 is small than the current Taurus, and has a smaller engine, plus, the automantic is on the floor, not the column, and there is no wagon version of it.
If Ford is going to redesign the Taurus off one of the other companies that they own, then why not one of the Volvo models?? Ford owns Volvo already. Plus, that would make for one safe car, which is a big selling factor in mid-size family cars.
Basing it off of a Volvo model would result in a larger car (than the Mazda), a very safe car (with all of the saftey features that Volvo spent years developing), a wagon model, plus an inline-five engine!! Now that would be the engine to have in a family car.
Perhaps I should write a letter to Ford asking them to change their current decision on the next-generation Taurus. Think that it is too late??
From what I have read, the new 2004 Ford Taurus will be based on the Mazda 6 platform. My question is why?? I know that Ford owns Mazda and there is a lot of cross-platfrom for different models between the two, but why the Mazda 6??
The Mazda 6 is small than the current Taurus, and has a smaller engine, plus, the automantic is on the floor, not the column, and there is no wagon version of it.
If Ford is going to redesign the Taurus off one of the other companies that they own, then why not one of the Volvo models?? Ford owns Volvo already. Plus, that would make for one safe car, which is a big selling factor in mid-size family cars.
Basing it off of a Volvo model would result in a larger car (than the Mazda), a very safe car (with all of the saftey features that Volvo spent years developing), a wagon model, plus an inline-five engine!! Now that would be the engine to have in a family car.
Perhaps I should write a letter to Ford asking them to change their current decision on the next-generation Taurus. Think that it is too late??
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New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
I may be wrong on this but aren't Volvos somewhat expensive? If this is the case I would think that Ford would want to keep the Taurus somewhat affordable. But then again I may be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, just the second time 
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
>I may be wrong on this but aren't Volvos somewhat expensive?
>If this is the case I would think that Ford would want to
>keep the Taurus somewhat affordable.
Exactly- a Volvo platform would be just too expensive to build the new Taurus from. Keep in mind that Ford will be introducing a new sedan next year called the Five-Hundred, which will be larger than the current Taurus. I believe Ford's plan is to move the Taurus down just a bit in size and price to fill the gap left by the absence of the Contour- there are a lot of cars out there that Ford just can't compete with right now (Sebring, Malibu, Grand Am, etc...). The Five-Hundred will compete more directly with Intrepid, LeSabre, and Bonneville. Let's hope they keep a wagon in at least one of these models. I really do think that the wagon is making a comeback, and with Ford building the only domestic wagons they can really make the most of it. These are just my gut feelings, because as I've said before: the dealer is the last to know.
>If this is the case I would think that Ford would want to
>keep the Taurus somewhat affordable.
Exactly- a Volvo platform would be just too expensive to build the new Taurus from. Keep in mind that Ford will be introducing a new sedan next year called the Five-Hundred, which will be larger than the current Taurus. I believe Ford's plan is to move the Taurus down just a bit in size and price to fill the gap left by the absence of the Contour- there are a lot of cars out there that Ford just can't compete with right now (Sebring, Malibu, Grand Am, etc...). The Five-Hundred will compete more directly with Intrepid, LeSabre, and Bonneville. Let's hope they keep a wagon in at least one of these models. I really do think that the wagon is making a comeback, and with Ford building the only domestic wagons they can really make the most of it. These are just my gut feelings, because as I've said before: the dealer is the last to know.
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From: bozeman usa
New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
>I wonder if there is a link to the discontinuance of the
>Excursion. Possibly trying to better the corporate fuel
>economy numbers?
Possibly, but the way CAFE works is that light trucks are compared with light trucks (and their CAFE is less) and cars are compared with cars. So having a fuel efficient car won't help their truck CAFE.
weird huh? but what do you expect, it's a government program.
BTW, biggest scam on CAFE? the PT Cruiser is officially classified as a truck for CAFE purposes. So gas sucking Dodge's (and i have one, i know) get to count the PT cruiser against it's trucks. sad.
>Excursion. Possibly trying to better the corporate fuel
>economy numbers?
Possibly, but the way CAFE works is that light trucks are compared with light trucks (and their CAFE is less) and cars are compared with cars. So having a fuel efficient car won't help their truck CAFE.
weird huh? but what do you expect, it's a government program.
BTW, biggest scam on CAFE? the PT Cruiser is officially classified as a truck for CAFE purposes. So gas sucking Dodge's (and i have one, i know) get to count the PT cruiser against it's trucks. sad.
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From: Delaware
New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
>I wonder if there is a link to the discontinuance of the
>Excursion. Possibly trying to better the corporate fuel
>economy numbers?
From what I read in the car mags, the Excursion is being dropped because of poor sales. Plain and simple.
Bru
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>Excursion. Possibly trying to better the corporate fuel
>economy numbers?
From what I read in the car mags, the Excursion is being dropped because of poor sales. Plain and simple.
Bru
2002 F150 Super Crew
Black 4X4 Lariat
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From: Princeton, MN
New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
>Possibly, but the way CAFE works is that light trucks are
>compared with light trucks (and their CAFE is less) and cars
>are compared with cars. So having a fuel efficient car
>won't help their truck CAFE.
>weird huh? but what do you expect, it's a government
>program.
I was just wondering if maybe they needed a boost in their car efficiency ratings.
Bru, I sure see a lot of Excursions around here. Sales in the rest of the country must be pretty dismal is that's the case. I know I see more new Excursions than Suburbans here. But that's just one state out of fifty.
>compared with light trucks (and their CAFE is less) and cars
>are compared with cars. So having a fuel efficient car
>won't help their truck CAFE.
>weird huh? but what do you expect, it's a government
>program.
I was just wondering if maybe they needed a boost in their car efficiency ratings.
Bru, I sure see a lot of Excursions around here. Sales in the rest of the country must be pretty dismal is that's the case. I know I see more new Excursions than Suburbans here. But that's just one state out of fifty.
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New Ford Taurus, why Mazda??
Discussion changed, to involve the Excursion.
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