Will there be a 2023 Ford Taurus?

It’s only been three years since Ford killed the popular Taurus sedan. It said it would only build pickups and SUVs because that is what the market was dictating. But lo and behold, it just began production of an entirely new Taurus for 2023. Just don’t expect it to be sold in the US. This new Taurus is only available in the Middle East, where, we guess, the market still demands one. 

When was the Ford Taurus discontinued in the US?

The last Ford Taurus was available in 2019 in the US. But over in the Middle East, it has remained as popular as it once was here. But rather than tooling up an entirely new sedan, Ford did the next best thing. It rebadged the existing, all-new Mondeo sedan it just released in China. And if you squint, it actually does look like a revised version of the US Taurus, except, it’s not.

The Mondeo is a joint collaboration between Ford China and Ford Australia. It is sold with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which is expected to carry over to the Taurus. It’s hooked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Inside an eight-inch digital instrument cluster sits next to a 13.2-inch infotainment screen. The two-tone dash offers a wireless charging pad, among other features. In general, the cabin has an impressive look, which we would like to see transferred to some of Ford’s US products. 

How popular is the Ford Taurus in the Middle East?

To show how popular the Taurus is in the Middle East, Carscoops says sales have jumped year-over-year by 527 percent. In Saudi Arabia, it increased by 73 percent. In Kuwait, it jumped 125 percent, while in Oman it saw sales rise 63 percent. So, yeah, the market is dictating making more and better Taurus cars. 

Ford has been doing extensive testing of Mondeo cars throughout the region. With the climate such as it is, it needed to be sure the car could handle the sometimes challenging conditions. 

What Ford has to say

“It’s crucial to the comfort of our customers, and the integrity of the all-new Taurus, that we test in such extreme climates,” product development general manager of Ford International Markets Group, Ziyad Dallalah, said. “Dust and sand can play havoc on engine internals and suspension components by accelerating wear on moving parts. Add that to the searing heat, and you are faced with a vehicle that has to work much harder than it might have to in more favorable conditions. Our testing ensures Taurus’ engine, transmission, driveline- and cooling systems can handle the demands of the region.”

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