Ford seems to be conducting consumer clinics to see how the European Mondeo registers with American consumers. Driving around Dearborn were a European Ford Mondeo, a Lexus ES, and a BMW 5-series all identically camouflaged to make them look visually the same.
Cover their rear-ends (as all three cars are equipped with velcro strips around the rear quarters to make the installation and removal of black covers easy), and only the most car-savvy would be able to tell one from the other. This lets Ford know how the consumers rate the Mondeo, free from the influences of the Lexus and BMW brand identities.
The recent arrival of the new Taurus would certainly seem to have muddied the waters on the prospect of a U.S.-spec Mondeo. But this photo suggests that Ford is actively gathering feedback on the Mondeo in the U.S.
carguy622 says:
12:25 PM, 10/23/09
Bring it here Ford, but make it more 5 series than ES. Please.
thejohnp says:
12:27 PM, 10/23/09
Think they'd keep it as a Ford or would they give it a Mercury or Lincoln badge?
alman08 says:
12:30 PM, 10/23/09
^
If Ford is going to keep Mercury around, I guess it would be a good idea to use Mercury brand as all European Ford models selling here in the USA, and kill the entire Mercury line-up. (Just my opinion)
alman08 says:
12:31 PM, 10/23/09
and I meant the entire current line-up.
firstwagon says:
01:29 PM, 10/23/09
There's a current line- up?
brn says:
02:08 PM, 10/23/09
"The recent arrival of the new Taurus would certainly seem to have muddied the waters on the prospect of a U.S.-spec Mondeo"
Somebody explain this to me. I don't see how one affects the other.
alman08 says:
02:23 PM, 10/23/09
@firstwagon
ummm... sure, if you count the Mountaineer, Milan, and the hybrids... LOL
rick8365 says:
02:25 PM, 10/23/09
Brn - They could be viewed as basically the same car or at least competing with each other segment wise. Why would Ford need two cars in the same segment? My thinking is that they bring it and slot it above the Taurus.
brn says:
08:37 PM, 10/23/09
Rick, I was under the impression that the Mondeo was smaller than a Fusion. The Taurus dwarfs a fusion. Am I confused?
I know the Mondeo used to be much smaller (Contour/Mystique/X-Type).
albook says:
08:23 AM, 10/24/09
I don't know why it would come here...except to be a Mercury (Ford should have killed this brand years ago). The next Fusion is supposed to be based off the next Mondeo. And I would not pay 35k for this car thats been around in Europe for years.
laguna1 says:
10:23 AM, 10/24/09
It's getting facelifted soon.
Anyway, the EU Mondeo is the U.S Fusion equivalent but in the U.S market, for some strange reason, the Taurus and Fusion compete in the same segment. If it does go over, it'll be in saloon/sedan body variant since it's favourable.
laguna1 says:
10:24 AM, 10/24/09
It's getting facelifted soon.
Anyway, the EU Mondeo is the U.S Fusion equivalent but in the U.S market, for some strange reason, the Taurus and Fusion compete in the same segment. If it does go over, it'll be in saloon/sedan body variant since it's favourable.
laguna1 says:
10:25 AM, 10/24/09
It's getting facelifted soon.
Anyway, the EU Mondeo is the U.S Fusion equivalent but in the U.S market, for some strange reason, the Taurus and Fusion compete in the same segment. If it does go over, it'll be in saloon/sedan body variant since it's favourable.
laguna1 says:
10:26 AM, 10/24/09
Sorry for the x2 posting, my PC seems screwed.
newsie23 says:
08:14 PM, 10/24/09
Maybe, I can replace my Contour MT V6 soon. My other '90 Ford was replaced with a GM!