[NOS2Go4Me]

OAC_Sparky,Nov 25 2008, 02:39 PM Wrote:Different vehicles, different purposes and different markets.
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What's the difference between an Edge, a Flex and a Taurus X? Not much at all.

An Edge and an Escape? Lots. Same for an Escape and a Flex. Different markets.

Launching the Flex for one more seat was more than a tad pointless, no? Did they really need two new CUVs to replace one perfectly good CUV? Of course not. All they're going to get now is a lot of waffling as people try to be either "edgy" (if I have to say it, you're getting a smack) or "hip" (the Flex).

There's no more "sensible" (the Taurus X). It's fine to have a polarizing design, but when both designs are that polarizing, you could be driving your competition to the tropics. Or, worse yet... over to the Asian markets. :o

The bottom line is that they axed the wrong CUV. I actually see a fair number of Freestyles / Taurus Xs around North Bay. I also see a lot of Edges. I've seen maybe 3-4 Flexes and NB seems to adopt most new consumer vehicles pretty quick - quicker than people from "down south" would assume, anyways.

Oh, and like every 6th vehicle up here is an Escape. It's nuts. The 2008/09s are flying off the lot as well at Stockfish. There's even another identical (monochrome) Tungsten Grey USDM Limited in town - no DRLs, no backup-warning rear bumper or anything.

At a time like this, Ford needs profitable sales volume. Confusing the s*** out of your loyal customer base is not a good way to get started. I've heard it first-hand. It's kinda scary how they have to explain and regroup to keep someone interested.