Ford Kills the Aviator

And yet Lexus seem to be able to sell thinly (very thinly) disquised 4Runners for big bucks. Is this confirmation that Lincoln buyers are smarter than Lexus buyers?

Regards,

Ed White

"B.D. Newman" wrote:

Great point. Actually, I also own a Lexus ES300. I looked closely at the new GX truck...the one that competes with Aviator. Frankly I don't get that either...the third row seats are wierd "strap-on" thingies. I wonder how well that model Lexus is actually selling. I know the RX sells well. Anyway, Ford botched up the Aviator...the launch, the pricing, etc. It reminds me of the "Lincoln Versailles" of late '70's vintage...a thinly disguised Ford Granada for three times the price (or something liket that). No one bot it.

great point!

:-)

Well actually the Versailles actually had quite a few upgraded parts compared to a Granada. However, it still looked like a Granada with tacked on junky looking trim. It wasn't anywhere near three times the cost. In 1977 the list price was $11,500 for a very well equipped vehicle. They sold over 15,000 1977 models despite a very late introduction (see

Regards,

Ed White

Don't worry..... OreganoMan says we can all buy Camrys and forget anythiing else.

All manufacturers resort to upscaling a vehicle in order to maximize prfits. I do recall a Cadillac that was little more than a Cavalier or similar with leather seats..... and they actually sold some?!?!?!?!

It works with everything in life.... someone puts out "feelers" and they will recevie varying amounts of acceptance. There is no sense in supporting a marque that wont sell.

-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net

Catera?

The have or are going to be dropped soon.

Ken

A hush fell over the crowd when, "NJ Vike" stepped up to the podium and announced:

...remember the Cimeron? Nothing more than a rebadged Buick Skyhawk. That car was built for the people who absolutely, positively HAD to have a Caddy but couldn't afford a real one.

Kinda like the new C280(?) class MB's and the trunkless 318 BMW's.

That's the one I was trying to think of... Cimerron..... yeah.

Some on this NG might remember the Olds Firenza - don't recall what happened with the class action suit over that creampuff....

-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net

There's a *reason* that the Aviator, Blackwood, and Marauder aren't (weren't) selling.

ADVERTISING.

I have yet to see one commercial or any other kind of marketing campaign for any of the three vehicles here. The Blackwood was axed because nobody

Also, AFAIK, the Explorer and Mountaineer are going to a different platform for 2006, which is probably why the Aviator is lasting until 2005.

What type of different platform? Explorer is the best selling SUV of all time...and is the best selling SUV in the current market....so why would Ford substantially alter it?