What is the other name for the Ford 500?
The Ford Five Hundred is ultimately the same car as the Ford Taurus; Ford rebranded the model as Taurus starting with the 2010 model year.
Origins of the name change
The Ford Five Hundred debuted in the mid-2000s as a full-size sedan aimed at family buyers and fleets. To capitalize on a long-standing, trusted name, Ford revived the Taurus label for a redesigned version of the car several years later.
Key milestones in the renaming process:
- 2005: Ford introduces the Five Hundred as a new full-size sedan.
- 2007: Five Hundred production ends as Ford shifts strategy toward a Taurus-branded model.
- 2010: The model reappears as the Ford Taurus, reviving the Taurus nameplate in North America.
Conclusion: The renaming linked a modern, redesigned sedan to Ford's enduring Taurus heritage, aiming to simplify branding and leverage historical goodwill.
Naming rationale and market impact
Ford’s decision to revert to Taurus reflected a branding strategy built on familiarity and continuity. By using a well-known name, Ford sought to clarify its sedan lineup and appeal to buyers who remembered Taurus from earlier generations.
- Name recognition: Taurus carried decades of consumer memory and perception as a spacious, comfortable family sedan.
- Brand continuity: A single, recognizable name helped streamline Ford’s large-car offerings.
- Marketing clarity: A unified badge reduced consumer confusion and aided dealer messaging.
Conclusion: The Taurus relaunch aligned with Ford’s broader strategy to emphasize a cohesive, familiar lineup while updating styling and technology for new generations of buyers.
Summary
Bottom line: The Ford Five Hundred’s other name is Ford Taurus. The rename occurred for the 2010 model year, reviving a storied Taurus lineage and shaping the car’s market identity for that generation. In the United States, Taurus production lasted through the 2019 model year before the name was retired in that market.
