วันเสาร์ที่ 1 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2556

>>Ford Taurus (sixth generation)

Ford Taurus (sixth generation)



Ford Taurus (sixth generation)

2010 Ford Taurus Limited
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
ProductionJune 15, 2009–present
AssemblyChicago, Illinois, United States
PredecessorFord Taurus (fifth generation)
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
ClassFull-size
Body styleSedan
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
PlatformFord D3 platform
Engine3.5 L Cyclone V6 263hp (2009 - 2011)
3.5 L Cyclone V6 288hp (2012 - present)
3.5 L EcoBoost V6 365hp (2009 - present)
2.0 L EcoBoost I4 240hp (2012 - present)
Transmission6-speed automatic
Wheelbase112.9 in (2,868 mm)
Length202.9 in (5,154 mm)
Width76.2 in (1,935 mm)
Height60.7 in (1,542 mm)
Curb weight4,015 lb (1,821 kg)
RelatedLincoln MKS
The sixth-generation Ford Taurus is a full-size car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since June 2009.It is the sixth generation of the Ford Taurus, and also the largest Ford sedan available.


Development and marketing

The preceding Ford fifth generation Taurus was a facelifted and mechanically enhanced Ford Five Hundred. While this did address several deficiencies of the Five Hundred, particularly the powertrain, it was still criticized for its handling and bland styling,with one reviewer describing it as a "SUV shaped like a sedan".
In 2008, Ford Motor Company's Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally stated that the new Taurus is "the one we should have built originally".
A leaked photo of a prototype purported to be the 2010 Ford Taurus circulated on the Internet from message boards. Ford contemplated legal action against web sites which posted the photo and Ford attorneys asked site owners to remove the photo.
The US Ford website showed videos comparing the 2010 Taurus to 2009 model year luxury sedans, including the flagships of several Japanese marques. One test showed that the Taurus' paint coat was more resistant to gravel chips than a Lexus LS 460; another noted that the Taurus had a blind-spot detection sensor system that the Infiniti M 45x lacked; the third showed the Taurus SHO outpacing the Audi A6 4.2 L V8 in straight-line acceleration; the last comparison said that Taurus' cabin was quieter than an Acura RL.
Sales for the sixth generation Taurus are projected to be around 50,000 to 75,000 annually, as Ford planned a lower volume to avoid steep discounts/incentives. Previous iterations of the Taurus, which were classified as midsize cars, had sold 400,000 vehicles per year at their peak in the 1990s.


Release

The 2010 Ford Taurus was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall. In May 2009, the new Taurus debuted at three dealers in the Buffalo,Tampa, and Houston, respectively, to be put on display and to build anticipation for the release. The first dealer, West Herr Ford in Hamburg, New York, was chosen due to the successful unveiling of the redesigned Ford F-150 earlier that year.
The 2009 Taurus's counterparts, the Ford Taurus X and the Mercury Sable, ceased production in spring 2009 at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. The 2010 Taurus' production started on June 15, 2009. Unlike previous generations of the Taurus, the seventh-generation Taurus does not have a Sable counterpart from Mercury, as that marque was slowly phased out.

Reception

The Ford scored well in test drives, and the media was pleased with some of the new features available in the 2010 Ford Taurus. Some of these features include all wheel drive,cross traffic alert, collision warning, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Taurus shares the powertrain and many available technological options of the Lincoln MKS, which is built on the same platform and mechanical underpinnings, while having a starting MSRP of $10000 USD less than the MKS.
While its predecessor was criticized for dull styling, the new Taurus was described as "big and muscular" to draw attention, albeit "a love-it-or-hate-it affair". Motor Trend stated that "its broad stance, high sill line, slit headlamps, and technical grille give it a leopard look" which was considered handsome.
However, others criticized the lack of interior room and reduced sight-lines despite its full-sized exterior dimensions, compared to the previous-generation Five Hundred/Taurus which was praised for its vast interior and greenhouse visibility; one reviewer remarked that while the "old Taurus' interior was cavernous; the new one just feels like a cavern". Edmunds noted that the eighth-generation Honda Accord (which competes in the mid-size category) had superior driving dynamics and a more efficient design that yielded almost as much interior space as the larger Taurus. Car and Driver described the Taurus as overweight and underpowered, with unresponsive braking and steering, while Motor Trend criticized several aspects of the interior as evident cost-cutting.
While the Taurus SHO's EcoBoost V6 engine was praised, some reviewers suggested that it was more of a big engine option while offering a marginal improvement on driving dynamics, and less of a high-performance car (compared to similarly priced cars which are rear-wheel drive like the Pontiac G8 and Chrysler 300). Car and Driver was impressed with the Taurus SHO's overall performance, but sportiness was compromised with heavy curb weight, numb steering and smallish brakes.
Consumer Reports has suggested the sixth generation Taurus is actually more of a freshening than a redesign.

Design and features 

The design of the sixth-generation Ford Taurus was led by Chief Designer Earl Lucas. Many of the Taurus' design elements were influenced by the music that the design team listened to. According to Earl Lucas, "When you've got good music, it's amazing how many shapes come out".The sixth-generation Taurus also features a more aerodynamic version of the 3-Chrome Bar grille, and a rear end similar to that of the Ford Interceptor concept.

2010 Ford Taurus Interior
The new Taurus also features Ford Sync, push-button start, heated front and rear seats, crash avoidance system, and a lane-changing blind spot warning system. Also new for the Taurus is Ford's new Multi-Contour Seats, which feature air cushions that pad the driver and passenger’s entire back, including three for lumbar support, four for lateral support and four for the seat pad. The bottom cushion features Active Motion technology, which provides a subtle continuous massage, designed to lessen back pain on long trips. The 2010 Taurus was the first vehicle to use the Multi-Contour Seats.

Variants and Trim Levels

The sixth generation Ford Taurus was sold in three trim levels, SESEL, and Limited.
The base SE model, designed for rental and fleet use, came stock with a 3.5 L 24-valve DOHC Duratec V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise control functions, an AM/FM stereo with a single CD player, clock, MP3 capability, and six speakers, Ford's MyKey system, and AdvanceTrac electronic stability control.
The mid-range SEL trim level had the same engine, with a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission featuring paddle activation, dual-zone electronic automatic termperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Sirius satellite radio, and a perimeter anti-theft alarm.

Ford Taurus SEL
The top-of-the-line Limited model featured perforated leather-trim bucket seats, ambient lighting with choices of seven different colors, SYNC voice-activated communication and entertainment system, a premium AM/FM radio with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, chrome-accented, heated mirrors with memory and security approach lamps, a reverse sensing system and rear view camera.

Taurus SHO

The 2010 Taurus SHO was unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. It went on sale in summer 2009, with a base MSRP of $37,995 (including destination fees).

2010 Ford Taurus SHO
The SHO includes a 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 engine rated at 272 kW (370 PS; 365 hp) at 5500 rpm and 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) of torque at 3500 rpm, a SelectShift 6-speed automatic transmission with control paddles mounted on the steering wheel, torque sensing all-wheel drive, sport-tuned suspension and steering, 19" alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle tires (Michelin high-performance tires on the optional 20" wheels), a decklid-mounted spoiler, twin chrome exhaust tips, and SHO-specific parking lamp bezels.
The SHO Performance Package includes upgraded brake pads, recalibrated electronic power-assisted steering for improved responsiveness, a "Sport Mode" setting for the Electronic Stability Control, a shorter 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio for faster acceleration, and summer-compound 20" Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires with premium painted wheels.0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) time is rated at 5.2 seconds.

Police Interceptor Sedan

When the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) ended production in late 2011, a variant of the sixth-generation Taurus was offered to police forces in early 2012 as a 2013 model. Ford is referring to the new police car simply as the "Police Interceptor Sedan", rather than a Taurus. It is available with both engines of the civilian Taurus: the 3.5 L CycloneV6 producing 263 hp (196 kW; 267 PS), and the 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 from the SHO rated at 272 kW (370 PS; 365 hp). The EcoBoost version features all-wheel drive, like the SHO. The Police Interceptor includes much of Ford's latest safety technology, such as Blind Spot Information System, rear view camera, reverse sensing system, and electronic stability control. Ford states the Police Interceptor Sedan will match the safety record of the CVPI, and have desirable CVPI features unavailable on the Taurus like a column-shifted automatic added back in. Police officers have criticized the lack of room in the Police Interceptor Sedan compared to the Crown Victoria.

Ford Police Interceptor Sedan

Safety 

2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test ratings:
  • Frontal driver: 5/5 stars
  • Frontal passenger: 5/5 stars
  • Front side: 5/5 stars
  • Rear side: 5/5 stars
  • Rollover: 4/5 stars

2013 refresh


2013 Ford Taurus facelift
The 2013 refresh of the Taurus was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show and bears cosmetic changes, new engines and new technology. The most obvious change at first glance is the new front fascia incorporating sharper angles very similar to the recent facelift of the Ford Territory in Australia.
Changes to the rear of the car were minor with the only noticeable change being new taillights and dual exhaust tips (only the SHO has true dual exhaust while the other trim levels use a single exhaust that splits under the car). While the interior remains mostly unchanged, the Taurus now incorporates the MyFord Touch system which means a new head unit with 8" touch screen, steering wheel and interactive gauge cluster. Other features new to the 2013 Taurus include a heated steering wheel, and an all new Sony sound system featuring HD Radio and iTunes Tagging. Additional interior features include Multicontour seats with Active Motion (massage), push-button start, auto high beams and a rear view camera.
The engines available on the face lifted Taurus are an 2.0 L EcoBoost engine with 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) and 366 N·m (270 lb·ft) of torque while achieving 22/32/26 mpg. The standard engine is the 3.5 Duratec with 288hp and 254lb-ft of torque while achieving 19/23/29 mpg. On SHO models there is a 3.5 L turbocharged V6 272 kW (370 PS; 365 hp) of power and 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) of torque. This engine is paired with six-speed high capacity 6F55 SelectShift Automatic.
It became available at dealerships starting in March 2012 and this generation had become the First Generation and arived in the Middle East for the 2013 model year and replaced the Ford Crown Victoria which had ended at the very end of its 2012 model year.

>>Ford Taurus (fifth generation)

Ford Taurus (fifth generation)


Ford Taurus (fifth generation)
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Also calledFord Five Hundred (Middle East)
Production2008–2009
AssemblyChicago, Illinois
PredecessorFord Five Hundred
SuccessorFord Taurus (sixth generation)
ClassFull-size
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
PlatformFord D3 platform
Engine3.5 L DOHC Duratec 35 (Cyclone) V6
Transmission6-speed 6F automatic
Wheelbase112.7 in (2,863 mm)
Length201.8 in (5,126 mm)
Width74.1 in (1,882 mm)
Height61.5 in (1,562 mm)
Curb weightFWD: 3,741 lb (1,697 kg)
AWD: 3,930 lb (1,780 kg)
RelatedFord Taurus X
Mercury Sable
Lincoln MKS
Ford Flex
Volvo XC90
Designer(s)J Mays
The fifth-generation Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2008 until 2009. It is the fifth in six generations of the Ford Taurus. However, it is sold under the Taurus name only in the United States and Canada since the Ford Five Hundred was sold in Mexico.
This generation of the Taurus is sold in the Middle East as the Ford Five Hundred.


Background

The Ford Taurus was one of the company's best-selling nameplates. However, it suffered from slumping sales since the late 1990s, steadily losing market share in the midsize segment to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The fourth-generation Ford Taurus soon relied heavily on sales incentives and fleet sales, which further diminished its appeal. The Taurus was discontinued in late 2006, being succeeded by the Ford Fusion and Ford Five Hundred, however the Five Hundred did not perform to expectations.
However, this caused a controversy within the auto industry, with popular automotive websites such as Autoblog and The Truth About Cars expressing their disappointment at Ford for letting the Taurus nameplate decline. MSNBC interviewed many Ford workers who felt that Ford unjustly abandoned the car that had done so much to revitalize Ford and the US industry. In an October 25, 2006 USA Today editorial, "How Ford starved its Taurus" it was noted that while the Japanese stick with their popular models and keep them up to date and competitive, (such as the Toyota Corolla, which has been in continuous production since the 1960s), the Detroit automakers regularly abandon established models in search of "the next big thing".
How can it go away? It's the best selling car in America.
Alan Mulally, 2006
However, after Alan Mulally became Ford's CEO, rumors were rampant that he was interested in reviving the Taurus. These were fueled by the fact that he said in an interview with the Associated Press that he was baffled to find out that the Taurus had been discontinued when taking position as CEO at Ford, as well as stating that he believed that discontinuing the Taurus was a mistake, and that the Five Hundred should have been named "Taurus" from the beginning.The rumors of a possible Taurus revival were confirmed in mid 2007, when the revamped versions of the Five Hundred and Freestyle were unveiled as "Taurus" and "Taurus X" at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, a decision that was influenced strongly by Mulally.In a later interview, Mulally explained that the fact that the Taurus was well known and had a positive brand equity associated with it, something that would take lots of time and money to give to the Five Hundred.


Overview

Exterior


The exterior of the Fifth-generation Taurus is largely carried over from that of the Five Hundred.
The exterior of the Fifth-generation Taurus is largely carried over from the Five Hundred. Apart from that of the front fascia, the Taurus is practically identical to that of the Five Hundred. Some design features on the Taurus were first used on a 2007 option package for the Five Hundred entitled the "chrome package".
The Taurus has a different front fascia that has Ford's signature three bar grille, new headlights, a new front bumper with fog lights, and side fender vents. The Taurus also gains new wheels, each differed on whether the SEL or Limited model was specified. Around the back, the Taurus has Ford Fusion style clear taillights and an added roof mounted Satellite radio adapter. However, despite these new design features, the Taurus' shape has been criticized for looking too similar to that of the Volkswagen Passat.

Interior

As with the exterior, the interior of the Fifth-generation Taurus is largely carried over from the Five Hundred. However, it offers many subtle differences such as using a darker shade of woodgrain, a new steering wheel, among other changes.
The radio is a new design that has chrome trim around the buttons, a new double tiered bin is in the center console, and there is a new shifter that is of a different design. However, the most notable feature of the Fifth-generation's interior - a feature that was new for the Taurus - was Ford's SYNC system, developed by Microsoft. This feature accepts voice commands, and can connect the driver's cell phones and MP3 players to the car, while organizing personal information.

Models and Engines

The fifth generation Taurus is now offered in three models; the SE, SEL and Limited. The SE is the base model that costs approximately $24,000 US$, with the middle option SEL costing around $26,000 USD And the top of the line version Limited, which costs $30,000 USD. This generation of Taurus uses the 263 hp 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 which replaces the 203 hp (151 kW) Duratec 30 3.0 L V6. The Five Hundred/Freestyle's ZF-Batavia CVT, which had a maximum torque capacity of 221 lb·ft (300 N·m), is also replaced with a Ford-GM joint venture six-speed automatic capable of withstanding the Duratec 35s additional torque. The Aisin AW six-speed automatic that was used on FWD Five Hundred and Montegos was also replaced by the new six-speed.


Variants

Mercury Sable


2008 Mercury Sable
As with the Taurus, the Sable name was resurrected to apply to an updated version of the Mercury Montego. However, the changes from the Montego to the Sable are more extensive to that of the Five Hundred to the Taurus. From the Montego, the Sable sports a new front fascia, hood, fenders, trunk, and taillights. Inside, the Sable offers similar options and features to the Taurus, although it has the unique features of two toned leather seats and light woodgrain trim. The Sable offers the same drivetrain improvements as the Taurus.

Ford Taurus X 


2008 Ford Taurus X Limited
When the revived Taurus was launched, a crossover variant was launched with it, entitled the Taurus X. As how the Taurus is revived from the Five Hundred, the Taurus X was born from the Ford Freestyle, itself based on the Five Hundred. The Taurus X sports a revised front fascia, hood, wheels, fenders, and taillights over the Freestyle. It also contains the same drivetrain improvements as the Taurus and Sable. As with the Taurus, the Taurus X also boasted some minor interior changes, mainly with the addition of the Microsoft SYNC system as an option.The Taurus X was offered in three models; SEL, the Limited, and a top of the range Eddie Bauer edition.
Due to sluggish sales, the Taurus X ended production on February 27, 2009. Afterwards, Ford re-tooled its Chicago Assembly Plant for the 2010 Ford Taurus (sixth generation), which went into production in June 2009.

วันศุกร์ที่ 31 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2556

>>Ford Taurus (fourth generation)

Ford Taurus (fourth generation)



Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Production2000–2007
AssemblyHapeville, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
PredecessorFord Taurus (third generation)
SuccessorFord Taurus (fifth generation)
ClassMid-size
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFF layout
PlatformFord D186 platform
Engine3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6
3.0 L DOHC Duratec 30 V6
Transmission4-speed AX4N automatic
4-speed AX4S automatic
Wheelbase108.5 in (2,756 mm)
LengthSedan: 197.6 in (5,019 mm)
Station wagon: 197.7 in (5,022 mm)
Width73.0 in (1,854 mm)
HeightSedan: 56.1 in (1,425 mm)
Station wagon: 57.8 in (1,468 mm)
Curb weight3,316 lb (1,504 kg)
RelatedMercury Sable
Lincoln Continental
The fourth-generation Ford Taurus is an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2000 to 2005. It was the fourth in six generations of the Ford Taurus.



Overview

Exterior


2000–2003 Ford Taurus SES sedan
When the third generation Taurus debuted, it was hurt by criticism of its design, which was formed from oval derived design elements. The design was very controversial, and it strongly limited the appeal of the car. As a result, for the fourth generation Taurus, Ford designed it with a more subdued, angular design, as part of Ford's New Edge styling of the early 2000s, in hopes of increasing the car's appeal. Instead of sloping back, this car's trunk stood upright in a more traditional shape, which greatly increased trunk space. The roof was also raised into a more upright stance to increase headroom, which can be evidenced by the thicker C-pillar and larger area between the tops of the doors and the top of the roof.
The front and rear clips were also redesigned on the Taurus and Sable sedans; all body panels were brand-new except the doors. Station wagons received the new front clips but from the firewall back they were essentially the same as the 1996-1999 wagons. The Taurus now had the turn signals integrated into the headlamps, similar to that of the previous generation Sable. The front bumper was also redesigned to include a larger front grille which, like the previous generation, contained a chrome bar running through the middle containing the Ford logo. The rear clip was redesigned with a larger trunk and trunklid, as mentioned above, as well as giving the Taurus two large taillights as opposed to the rear lightbar used in the previous generation cars. Mounted on the trunklid was a large chrome bar containing the Ford logo, like in the front. In 2004, the front clip was slightly redesigned, and the Taurus got a new front bumper and lights. The grille was made smaller, with the chrome bar removed, replaced by just a large Ford logo in the center. The taillights were slightly redesigned, with larger reverse lights, and the chrome bar above the license plate bracket was changed to the body color.

Interior

As with the exterior, the interior was completely redesigned with a more conservative style, although some features from the previous cars were carried over. The dashboard had a more linear appearance, instead of curving around the driver. The "Integrated Control Panel" was carried over but enlarged, reshaped, and placed in the center of the dash instead of being tilted toward the driver. The Flip-Fold center console was also carried over but it was revamped as well. When folded out, it now rested against the floor instead of the dashboard, and had different cupholders and storage areas. Unlike previous Tauruses, this one offered rear cupholders that either slid or folded out of the front console, depending on which console the car was equipped with.
This Taurus' interior was available in two configurations; a front bench seat with a column mounted shifter and the Flip-Fold center console, or bucket seats with a traditional console and a floor mounted shifter. The configuration for a steering column mounted shifter and a center console, which made a brief return in 1999, had been dropped. The interior also contained many new safety features; side airbags, tether straps, and a glow in the dark trunk release mounted inside of the trunk.This interior also contained a new system which Ford called the "Personal Safety System". This system, at the time of a collision, would detect the driver and passenger's positions, and would inflate the airbags to match, possibly preventing airbag-related injuries. For 2004, the interior got a minor revision, with a new steering wheel with a center airbag pad that shaped like an upside-down taco; new gauges; a color-keyed instrument panel cluster surround replacing the black of the 2000-2003 models, and the addition of a diagnostic center in the gauge cluster, that would tell if there were any problems with the car, as well as average fuel economy. It also was able to perform a "system check" at the driver's request to make sure that the engine was functioning properly.


Models and engines


2000–2003 Ford Taurus wagon
The two 1999 models were carried over, and two more were added. The most basic model was the LX, with the SE as the mid priced model. A new trim named "SES" was a slight step up, and the SEL was the new top-end model, slotting just under the Mercury Sable LS. The SES and LX models were dropped in 2005, leaving the SE and SEL.
The SEL line received a few upgrades for 2003, to give it a more upscale image. Among the changes were a new instrument cluster, wheels, as well as a slight redesign of the dash, with woodgrain replacing the black trim. It also got woodgrain on the steering wheel rim and around the power window switches on the front doors. Also in 2003, Ford created a Centennial Edition Taurus to celebrate Ford's 100th anniversary. This special Taurus included many extras, such as lighter wood trim, special leather seats, headlights with black accents, special wheels, a special leather case for the owner's manual, a leather jacket that said "Ford: 100 Years", a similar watch, and a letter from William Clay Ford, Jr. Production was limited to 4,000 units.
For 2002, 2003 and 2004, the SES model received a "Sport" package, which consisted of five-spoked rims known as "slicers", and the Duratec engine standard. In addition, the exterior of the vehicle received Sport badging on the front quarter-panels, the chrome bar on the grille was changed to body color, the interior received two-toned cloth seats, a two-toned dash applique, special "Sport" floor mats, and a leather covered steering wheel. This model was only offered in four colors.
The engines were carried over from the previous generation, with the Vulcan being the only available engine on the LX and SE, producing 155 horsepower (116 kW) and 185 ft·lbf (251 N·m) of torque, and as the base engine on the SES. The Duratec engine was optional on the SES and standard on the SEL, producing 200 horsepower (150 kW). For 2005, with the LX and SES models being dropped, the Duratec was only available on the SEL, and in 2006 the Duratec was dropped altogether, with the Vulcan becoming the standard and only engine available on the SEL. All models came with the four speed AX4N automatic transmission, although a few 3.0 liter V6 Vulcan models up until 2003 received the similar AX4S transmission.


Variants

Mercury Sable


2000–2003 Mercury Sable
Like that of its Ford Taurus counterpart, a fourth generation Mercury Sable was launched for the 2000 model year. Also like the Taurus, this Sable shared the same basic design as the third generation, although it got a new front fascia, rear fascia, wheels and interior. Like previous generations, this Sable shared all mechanical parts with the Taurus, while retaining a different body. Only the doors, door handles, wheels, and interior were shared with the Taurus. This Sable was offered in three models: GS, LS, and LS Premium, which offered a number of extra comfort features over the standard LS. A LS Platinum edition was also briefly offered. As with the planned discontinuation of the Taurus nameplate, the Mercury Sable was discontinued after the 2005 model year,and was replaced by the Mercury Montego and Mercury Milan. The Sable nameplate would later be revived for the 2008–2009 model years.

Initial discontinuation and nameplate revival

Taurus sales had slumped significantly in the years prior to its demise, losing significant market share to Japanese sedans. Due to waning popularity and customer demand, Ford decided to slowly discontinue the Taurus. Production of the Taurus wagon was discontinued on December 8, 2004;sedan retail sales halted after a short 2006 model year, and the Taurus became sold exclusively to fleets in the United States, while still being sold to retail customers in Canada. Production ended on October 27, 2006, as Ford idled the Atlanta plant, as part its The Way Forward restructuring plan.
How can it go away? It's the best selling car in America.
Alan Mulally, 2006
The last Ford Taurus rolled off the assembly line around 7:00am, destined for delivery to S. Truett Cathy, owner of Chick-fil-A.Mr. Cathy's original restaurant was located across from the Ford Atlanta plant. There was no official event or function of any kind to mark the end of production. Rather than investing in an older nameplate, Ford had decided to replace the Taurus with the full-size Five Hundred and midsize Fusion sedans, as well as replacing the Taurus wagon with the Freestyle crossover SUV.

The last Taurus sedan was an SEL model like this one.
The discontinuation of the Taurus was controversial. While many believed that the Taurus was discontinued because it could no longer compete in the growing sedan market, others believed that if Ford wanted to save the car, they could have easily done so.Autoblog went as far as calling the Taurus the biggest fall from grace in history, and even blamed Ford's current financial problems on their failure to keep the Taurus competitive, as well as how they focused nearly all of their development resources and marketing on trucks and SUVs. The Truth About Cars published a review/editorial also showing their disappointment at how Ford neglected the Taurus to the point where it became a "rental car".
MSNBC interviewed many Ford workers who felt that Ford unjustly abandoned the car that had done so much to revitalize Ford and the US industry. In an October 25, 2006 USA Today editorial, "How Ford starved its Taurus" it was noted that the Japanese stick with their winners and make them better (such as the Toyota Corolla, which has been in continuous production since the 1960s),while Detroit automakers retires cars or entire division nameplates in search of "the next big thing".

The 2008 Ford Five Hundred prototype, which was renamed "Taurus" upon Alan Mulally's request.
However, after Alan Mulally took position as Ford's CEO, rumors were rampant that he was interested in reviving the Taurus. These were fueled by the fact that he said in an interview with the Associated Press that he was baffled to find out that the Taurus had been discontinued when taking position as CEO at Ford, as well as stating that he believed that discontinuing the Taurus was a mistake, and that the Five Hundred should have been named "Taurus" from the beginning.The rumors of a possible Taurus revival were confirmed in mid-2007, when the revamped versions of the Five Hundred and Freestyle were unveiled as "Taurus" and "Taurus X" at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, a decision that was influenced strongly by Mulally. In a later interview, Mulally explained that the fact that the Taurus was well known and had a positive brand equity associated with it strongly influenced his decision to revive the name.