I guess the description of the Avalon mostly matches the old Taurus, especially in terms of the demographics. The new Taurus I think will have a much broader audience now that it actually looks good.
Now, if you insist to compare the Taurus with Camry and Accord, why wouldn’t Taurus be competitive with any of them, V6 versions, other than the fact that it's significantly bigger and the MSRP is only slightly higher?
We will need to wait and see exactly what the pricing is and more importantly what kind of vehicle financing Ford will be capable of. IMO, they have pretty well "Hyundyied" themselves to "zero" % or "employee" pricing. Neither which can be sustained.
You assume that the Taurus power train is an equal to that of the Accord and Camry. Is it not the same as the current 500? That is not a good thing.
I just don't think that a re-skinned expensive 500 (when optioned with all the items Ford says makes it worth buying) is going to fly in a market that is in a near depression just because it now looks like every other sedan.
The 2010 Taurus is 4 years too late. GM is trying the same thing with the LaCross, but again too late to the party.
In addition, I think Americans are finally getting it because of the huge drop in personal wealth in that country and the last gas crisis. Which is why an I4, if they are perfected, are satisfactory for the times.
The Camry 180 HP/6 speed auto will hit the market in late April. Ppl will be able to buy one of those fully loaded with leather, ESP, heated seats, JBL stereo, sunroof, for the price of a base Taurus with cloth seats and no roof. Plus it will get 25% better mileage in city conditions. Plus it will have guaranteed good resale value, something Fords do not have to be blamed partially on their subprime financing.
Essentially, the new Taurus is the wrong car for the day. Slightly too expensive and too fuel inefficient. 4 years ago when it should have come out, it would have been a hit. Not in a semi depression.
