November 2006 sales are more than 50% below November 2005.

2006 YTD is over 20% lower than 2005 YTD.

Total sales in 2006 will be lucky to crack 80,000 units. I think that goal was 125,000 - 150,000 units annually.

Too bad. It's not a bad car. Just not exactly what people wanted. Sort of dull. An excellent example of design by committee.

GM is famous for this type of car. Doesn't do anything bad, but doesn't do anything well either. Yawn.

 

I think the 4.0L V6 could have saved it from obscurity. It's got equivalent HP, but more torque for more off the stoplight go-power than the 3.0L.

Basically it needs more power.

 

Wait for the 3.5l V6 and 4.4l V8

 

That is sort of the point, isn't it? Why do you launch a car without the good stuff?

Toyota has been making the new Tundras since November 1, but will not launch until February. Why? They will not have the 5.7 available from the AL plant until then, and they do not want to launch without the big motor.

There are lots of "OK" cars out there. The problem is, there are a lot of really good cars too.

Ford (or GM for that matter) can't afford a showroom full of OK cars.

The market is too brutal to let this kind of stuff happen.

 

I've never driven one, but I sat in one at a dealership one day. Having driven a Ford Focus 2000 miles in the preceding three days, long-distance comfort was the first thing I thought about when I got in. It sure did feel roomy! It also felt big. Wouldn't bother me, but I can easily see my mother, for example, sitting in it and deciding it felt "too big." I have to wonder whether it's size helps or hurts it...

 

LOL @ Fred................you sound like a Chicago Cubs fan!!!

(only with them it's, "Wait 'till next year")


However, I've seen the specs (performance) of the Volvo X90 (same chassis as the 500) with the Yamaha 4.4......the 500 is close to 2,000 pounds lighter and should just flat out rip!!!

Maybe a new Marauder platform for Mercury???

 

yea, but we have soriano now

 

Hard to believe. I thought it was about the best looking car Ford had.

 

I like the looks of the car. Seems a little underpowered and definately overpriced.

 

Compared to competition (Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300, Buick LaCrosse) I don't think its overpriced.

 

IMO some of Ford's products are conservatively designed. While it may work for some models they offer, I think the 500 might not be what most people are looking for. Seems that the styling is a bit modest. Just my thoughts.