There's an AWD Ford 500 in my apartment complex. That's the only one I've seen in Northridge in the last eight months... and the owner works for Ford Corporate.

I'd personally argue that the Fusion is more of a competitor to the Corolla than a replacement for the Taurus. I believe R&T first reported on the Ford 500 as the Taurus' successor as well.

But regardless of how you brand the Ford 500, the overall design of the car plagiarizes so heavily from the previous-gen Audi A6, it's really quite pathetic IMO. :a:

In a brand concious market, I don't think people consider Ford to be on equal footing with the Germans as a luxury brand.

Like the VW Phaeton, the Ford 500 is probably stretching the brand identity too far for most consumers to accept.

Or the car just might suck. :run: Take your pick.