2007 Geneva Auto Show: Why can't the Taurus look like the 2008 Ford Mondeo?

Stupid Ford.

seriously, i don't understand it. Why does Ford, an american company, make better cars for the europeans? mondeo v. taurus, us-focus v. focus st

First of all I don't think the Taurus as the Mondeo are comparible vehicles as the Taurus is much larger and probably much more comfortable. Second, while this thing looks better than a Fusion, it also looks much more expensive. Id think this thing would price out closer to $30K. Not sure how many people are willing to pay $30k for an entry level midsize from Ford no matter how nice it is. It's like when Chrysler tried to sell the Crossfire or when VW tries to sell a Phaeton (ok Phaeton is a little more than 30k to start).

The Mondeo would be mid-size here in the US. The 500 is a full-size. I'd love for Ford to bring this thing over here, but they already have a mid-size sedan in the Fusion. Ford is just messed up. They're so far into development projects (like this new Mondeo) that it'll take years for them to abandon their current lineups around the world and go the way of a global lineup. The Fusion was just released a couple years ago. It's semi-successful. They'd be fools to just abandon this model for the new Mondeo. On the other hand, the 500 is a complete and utter failure. But the Mondeo can't replace that because they're in different segments. Ford's in a predicament... big time.

Why? Because Americans are not willing to pay the big bucks for a Ford. In Europe, Mondeo increasingly has to compete with the "premium" sector. We are talking BMW, Audi and Mercedes here. Pricing is *slightly* more attractive on the Mondeo, which in Europe makes it a good value proposition.
 
In the US people are willing to spend obscene amounts on glorified pickups ($32k FJ Cruiser so praised by Edmunds editors comes to mind) but not on a midsize sedan made by Ford. Mondeo is a premium vehicle. It costs a lot of money. It will never be competitive in the US market, not at the price it will cost if Ford keeps it as is. Remember the Scorpio (Merkur)? That's what happens when Ford markets a premium European car in the US without cheapening the living hell out of it. Compare to the Contour, which WAS severely crippled by "Americanizing" to bring it to the much lower American price point.
  
I am convinced that a car like Mondeo would never work in the American market. Look at what sells here. Consider Camry, which IS the absolute leader and benchmark in this segment. Camry is not even *offered* for sale in Europe. It has such horrible, irreversibly flawed chassis dynamics that very few Europeans would want it. Plus, it is just not refined enough to be a contender in this market segment in Europe. It has absolutely deplorable brakes, extremely poor handling and interior that is cheaply made and poorly assembled. Yet, it is considered cream de la cream of the family car in America. Americans judge a car by how much "meat" they get in exchange for what they can afford. They want a) size, b) weight, c) features, d) lowest price and..... z) "premium" qualities. In Europe this list is reversed.

vvk:
 
If the mondeo is a "premium" car, then why can't ford sell it as a Mercury or a sporty entry level Lincoln (gasp!)
 
The last gen. Camry had a 60-0 dist. of about 120ft. That's not too bad, it even beat the Accord. However, i do agree that the handling is not up to par with Euro standards.

Like I've said before on others posts, this is a car that Mercury should get on their portfolio. Don't "americanize" it, just rebadge it as a Mercury. This, along with other European Fords, would be WAY better than Mercury's current lineup.

Man, that's the first Ford I've ever wanted, cared about and/or lusted over. Of course Ford being Domestic means I'll always run away from Ford vehicles because they think their hometown consumers are boring, bland power hungry mindless idiots.

Rebadging probably won't work as European cars tend to have awful quality (don't know about Ford specifically). Just look at the recent consumer reports. Mercedes and VW did well in ratings but had just 1 vehicle recommended between the two (not including Audi). Ford would have to bring it up to American standards before they could sell it. The last thing Ford needs is another Mondeo brought over from Europe that's poor in quality. I think the Contour and Mystique speak for themselves.

Even though I prefer the Mondeo, the Fusion is better suited to the US market for Ford. It's bigger and roomier, plus it costs less.
 
The Mondeo would be a lower volume seller. It's way, way too edgy for the mainstream, and would probably cost too much as well.
 
As a small sedan for Lincoln? Sure.
 
Once they sell Jaguar, they won't need the X-type any more, so a Lincoln sedan based on this would make perfect sense.

Its sad that a nice looking car like the Mondeo is considered too edgy. We are supposed to be this pioneering country, embracing all things new. But when it comes to cars we all turn into cadavers. I wish car companies, especially the domestics, would stop thinking that they have to coddle us. If they put something exciting and revolutionary out there, they might be pleasantly surprised. People like to drive cool, classy cars. This would be one. And that's a lot coming from me. I've never liked anything from Ford.
 
I'm with rlyon on this. I really do love the look of that car. Too bad none of us will ever look at it up close in this country. Ford continues to baffle.

Since I've lived in Europe for six years, I think I'm qualified to inform you, from a subjective view, that Ford vehicles in Europe are far superior in quality than their North American counterparts. They have to be in order to compete.
 
I agree if vehicles like the new Mondeo, new (Euro) Focus and even the S-Max were branded "Ford", they would be considered too expensive. As Lincoln... Hmm, maybe.

I think the Camry and Accord do great because they look and feel like premium cars compared to their Big 3 competition (which do cost less). We want premium.
 
And car prices don't translate over from European markets; lots of tax in those numbers. But if the cars were built there and shipped here, they would cost too much. So do what they did with the original Focus - bring over a European design and built it here.

Why would anyone want the attractive and purposeful looking Mondeo in America when we already have the bizarro and weird looking Taurhundred or the disposable razor blade looking Fuzion with it's incredibly cheap looking Tonka toy interior? Euro-Ford can't tempt us Americans, we know that Ford USA offers the most sought after cars in the biz. Who wants a car that's a Anna Kournikova when they can drive a Rosie O'Donnel??

i don't think it should matter that it occupies the segment of the fusion or doesn't occupy the 500/taurus segment. the large car segment is antiquated anyway. nissan's the only japanese car maker that utilizes these distinctions, honda and camry both just have family sedan and compact sedan, as opposed to maxima sedan, altima sedan and compact sedan. so the entire idea a fusion and also a 500/tuarus is moot. they should just have one nice looking, nice handling sedan that offers a 4banger and a smooth v6 and offer manual with both engines. don't offer it as a bimmer/g35/is350 contender, offer it as an accord/camry contender. It'll work, as successful as the camry is, people still looking for a sportier alternative, just look at the success of the mazda6.

vvk
 
the new camry is a very good and comfortable family car(if you don't believe me go read some car magazines, or Edmunds review- or drive one). It's handles well (no, it's not a BMW), has good brakes, and, contrary to your opinion, is well assembled.
 
In fact, it's a far more reliable car than any Mercedes or VAG product I've ever owned. Americans aren't dumb- that's why we stopped buying american made cars.
 
It's not sold in Europe because it's made for the American market. Are European cars all better? If that's what you really want, than it is. But let's be objective and not just Euro-snobs. In terms of ergonomic design, fit and finish, reliability, and comfort I'd take any Lexus over any European car.
 
That being said, I like European cars, and I'm sure the Mondeo is a nice sedan. But I doubt I'd buy one over a MB, BMW or Audi or even an IS350. If they could build it for the same price as a Fusion- then maybe I'd buy one- if it weren't cheapened.
 
It'll take a lot more than a Mondeo to save Ford.

tsy: to each his own. I respect you opinion.
 
When I dropped off my BMW for service last time, I got a loaner Camry with 2000 miles. The first time I had to stop the car at a traffic light, I practically shit myself. The car had the most horrible breaks I have ever experienced. I have driven a lot of junk cars but this brand new Camry was in many ways far worse than any 80s Escort or Oldsmobile. Further down the road I actually became car sick behind the wheel, it was so incredibly wobbly. I had never driven such poorly suspended car in my life. Far, far worse than a Grand Marquee. It is a matter of personal taste, of course, but I thought the interior design to be garish and tasteless. And believe me; I used to like Camry quite a lot. I have very fond memories of a 1993 model I rented once to travel several thousand miles. The 2007 Camry is really bad in comparison.
 
As far as European car being better, I would vastly prefer a cheap Euro hatch to any Lexus or Acura. I rented a Peugeot 106 a couple of years ago and it was WONDERFUL. It held 5 people with ease, had great engine, smooth manual gearbox, exceptional steering. It was comfortable and had great handling at the same time.
 
Lexus IS350 is very noisy, has no rear seat to speak of and a tiny trunk. Its driving dynamics are good due to its rear wheel chassis, yet the steering is quite artificial. I have no doubt that the new Mondeo is a superior car.

Ford needs to take a page out of Saturn's book. Bring their European styling over here. I dont understand why they think American's love crap and only the Euros love art.

I dont care what they have to do to bring this thing over here. Even a half baked version of this would be better than any "500". The Taurus500 is a disaster of boringness.

I agree with ptmeyer, GM is redining Saturn as the Euro branch of GM here in the US. Ford can do the same with Mercury. Currently, Mercury has no identity.. nothing. Considering how strong Ford of Europe is, it wouldnt be hard to slot a lot these cars above Ford's lineup into the Mercury lineup.
 
Sure it would cost more initial investment (compared to just the rebading they are doing now), but it certainly has more long term potential.

Thank you vvk
 
While I like European cars, I've never had a good long term relationship with one. They just have too many problems after the warranty ends (some before it ends!)
 
I've spent some time in the new IS350 and it is not a noisy car. You must have very sensitive ears.
 
Maybe if Ford coud just bring the Euro look to the cars here they could really start to change things. Then bring the Euro cars themselves? A rebirth? That's what Ford desperately needs right now.
 
Oh, one more comment. I'd take the new LS460 over any cheap Peugeot-Renault-VW-Fiat hatch anyday. But that's just my opinion. I certainly respect yours.

tsy,
 
I don't think it's fair to compare a Lexus LS460 to any of the European hatchback cars. It's not a "apples to apples" comparison.
 
Many European makes have improved quality and reliability significantly with models after 2000. Ford of Europe products are no exception.

wk,
 
Half of Acura's lineup is inspired by Honda's European models. Look at the TSX. It's called the Euro Accord R everywhere else in the world but here. While it's not a European brand, Honda has had succes in bringing Euro models and Euro-inspired models here to the US. There's no reason Ford couldn't bring the Mondeo here and rebadge as a Mercury. Like some others here have said, Mercury has no identity and would benefit well by Euro-Ford association, just like Saturn.
 
People in this country have been googlie-eyed about "European-inspired" and "European-styled" for the last 20 years. Nothing has changed since then. Saying that a Euro car will never make it in the American market is effectively saying that American auto consumers are dull, dim-witted, and boring. Do you think everyone wants to drive an Impala? Obviously not if so many people are driving around in Camrys, Accords, 3-series, and A4s. European has worked here in the past and it can work here again. You've pointed out all the weak points in Ford's past with bringing over Euro designs. What about the Escort? That was in Europe for 10 years before it made its way across the pond, and once it made that journey it provide Ford with tons of profit in the small car segment.
 
Look at all these peoples comments. You are one of the few who think this will fail here. Everyone else wants it. You may want to check yourself.

flicmod,
 
I agree with your comments and the car industry could surely benefit by developing more global platform vehicles. Certainly save billions in R&D costs.
 
Unlike the Focus, which to me doesn't look right in sedan form, the new Mondeo looks great in sedan, five-door hatch and wagon guise.
 
Just two more comments; The Impala looks OK compared to the Pontiac Aztek! Yes, I know, that's not saying much. Also, I'm pretty sure it's the Acura TL that's badged as the Accord in Europe.

yipyip,
 
No, the TSX is the Euro Accord.
 
http://www.j-garage.com/honda/accord/euror.htm
 
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1270316.html
 
I also own a TSX. The TL is based on the same platform as the Accord. Some would say the TL looks more like the Accord, but I disagree.