This report in LeftLaneNews suggests that the Taurus X will not be part of the Taurus redesign for 2010:

Although the Ford Taurus X has only been on the market since 2005 — it was marketed under the Freestyle nameplate until last year — the Dearborn-based automaker could be planning to cease its production by 2010. The Taurus – the platform on which the Taurus X is built — will receive a significant refresh by next year, but the Taurus X will not be a part of the redesign.

Rest of report:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-to-kil ... -2010.html

See also: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/rumo ... r-my-2009/

Well this is a bit of a slap in the face. The Freestyle was not simply another name for the station wagon version of the Taurus for the first three years of this design's existence. Taurus was what the Freestyle was renamed when Ford realized that it had done something stupid in getting rid of the well-known, popular, nearly historic Taurus name. But let's not rewrite history and slight the Freestyle in the process.

Was the Five Hundred nothing more than what the sedan version of the Taurus was called during the first three years of it's existence? People who owned all those Tauruses made from 1986 to 2004 would certainly be interested to hear that!

Maybe FORD is looking for instant gratification. This 3-year and out strategy doesn't seem to be working very well. They haven't done a very good job of marketing the vehicle at all and haven't figured out yet what sells except Mustangs and F-150s. Very sad .... but I see FORD circling the drain.

I still say that the Ford Freestyle LTD is one of the best and most versatile vehicles that I have ever owned. It is functional, comfortable, and fun to drive. Too bad FORD can't sell that concept. Maybe they oughta talk to some real owners instead of the Madison Avenue experts.

I've owned many different cars over my 36 years of driving. A couple have been Fords, a few GMs, one Chrysler but mostly different foreign models. I purchased my first Freestyle in 2005 and upgraded to a much better equipped SEL in March of 2007. I love this car and overall it's the best car I've owned. My plan was to keep it for another five years, purchase a new car and have it paid off when I retire. I was hoping Ford would have an Edge Hybrid or fully electric by then and I'd make that my final auto purchase. Well after this news, I'm done with Ford. I don't care how good their cars may be in 2013, I'll look elsewhere and get what I can for my Freestyle in trade. In my opinion this was one of the best CUV designs among a very crowded field. The engine and tranny upgrade should have put the X on the top of the pile but once again the marketing dim wits at Ford failed to sell their most versatile model. So long Ford and good luck.

It may very well be, in my humble opinion, that auto makers don't want us to hang on to our cars for more than 3 years. While that would be good for the American auto workers longevity it's not realistic in todays marketplace.

I'm not made of money, and I take care of my Freebie and my PT Cruiser (free car from my late father-in-laws estate) so that they last as many years as I can get out of them. I may keep my local garage/mechanic in business but that may be cheaper in the long run than buying a replacement car every 3 years.

It's not like having the Chevy Camaro around from 1967 to 200? Here today...............gone tomorrow. Oh well !

To continue the Taurus X while also offering the FLEX would be unwise since there would be too much overlap between the products. Unless you can't stomach the FLEX's styling, there's no reason to lament since all the features we've come to know and love are present in the FLEX.

The Freestyle's been a great family car but I'd say it's a stretch to say it's fun to drive. It's utilitarian, and purposeful.

Ford's certainly not circling the drain either. If you think so, you've not been paying attention to what Mr. Mulally's been up to.

I think Ford can afford to loose the sales to those that feel abandoned by Ford's decision to abandon the Freestyle / Taurus X. For the rest who like crossovers and want one that carries the Blue Oval, might I suggest : http://www.fordflex.net/

It's all about the money. For any auto maker, if a car doesn't sell then it get's axed. I love my 06 freestyle but must say, I don't remember a commercial about it. We on this website love the car but this car was not selling like hot cakes either. Many blame the marketing which I partly agree, but this car is also not really an eye catcher that attracts people to take a look. I got mine because I was looking for this type of car without paying tons of money like purchasing a Toyota or Honda. I haven't heard how the Taurus X is selling but if it's not then down goes the axe. The big three are digging out of a whole right now and I would guess that they can't spend too much time and money on a vehicle that doesn't sell. The Taurus X is a good car, just market the darn thing and give it a chance unlike what they did when it had the Freestyle name plate. I have seen so many commercials and advertising for the Edge, Focus, Fusion and the Mustang and I believe all are selling well.

I can only assume it was a stop gap car. Ford killed the minivan and needed something to bridge the gap and kick off their CUV lineup.

The Freestyle filled that role. I know everyone that I've ever had ride in it, loves it, and has never heard of it. I think most people think it's an Explore at first glance.

I'm looking forward to Ford getting the FLEX website up with official pricing so that I can take a long hard look at making one our next car.

I hope nobody here seriously believed that the X would last long after the Flex hit the showroom floors.. did they? It would be duplication of effort. The X was grafted from the Freestyle simply to carry them over until the Flex arrived.

Other manufactures seem to handle the overlap rather well; e.g. Toyota. I may feel differently once I see the two side by side. But they do seem to be targeted towards slightly different groups.

Now if it only didn't look so much like an International Travel-All......

I felt the same way. Toyota's SUV, crossovers from the Rav4 to the biggest SUV are all capable of carry 7 passengers; they overlap like crazy. All the buyers need to choose, will be the size of the vehicle they prefer.

Before I bought my Freestyle, I thought about getting a Rav4, with 2 tiny seats for 7 passengers. Save gas and easy to park in the city, etc.

Ford eventually do not have the cash to keep so many models and market them at the same time. That decision is not something I can control. I like both the TaurusX and the Flex, but I am leaning toward the Freestyle/TaurusX styling.

If the Freestyle were better known, I think this would go down as one of the top 10 automotive debacles. A great vehicle that no one knew about. Well, I do understand why they are getting rid of it though I am surprised that Jeep can sell two vehicles that differ only in their styling (Compass and Patriot). Though I really do like the Flex I may yet get a Taurus X - the last of the '08's ought to go for a nice discount.

The X will go to be replaced by the Flex

the Explorer is going to unibody construction (D32 platform)

With the Flex and Expy both on D32, the TX is definitely redundant.



ANd before anyone asks, D32 is the revised D3 that is underpinning the MKS. It will be the platform that the 2010 Taurus rides on.