I think Ford's acquisition of a partial stake in Mazda did wonders for both companies. Mazda now has some additional funds to play around with new models, and Ford can infuse some design cues from Mazda models ... not much to be said of Ford styling. I think they hit the jackpot with the Ford Escape - Mazda Tribute (I still wonder if the designs for each were switched ... the Tribute seems ugly enough to be a Ford model).
I'm very surprised there aren't more Ford Escapes on the road today ... with the unbelievable lease rates on 24 month terms, and the low-$20,000 pricetags ... and it wasn't that bad-looking of an SUV. Perhaps there were some issues with the Duratec engine (sounds like a brand-name electronic accessory you'd get at Walmart).
Now the 2008 model year is coming out completely redesigned ... wait a minute, it's looking alot like the old Ford Explorer. You have to wonder if some old fart in the Ford upper ranks has an itching to re-use the Explorer moniker. Perhaps it's the same fart that wants to rename the Ford 500 the Taurus. Let the names rest in peace guys ... I don't think anybody wants to relive the memory of those cars.
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