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Ford Contour MK I

1995 – 2000

The third-generation Ford Taurus, produced from 1996 to 1999, marked a significant redesign for the model. Positioned between the compact Ford Contour and full-size Ford Crown Victoria, it was available as a sedan and a station wagon, with the latter also sold under the Mercury Sable nameplate. This generation featured a new exterior design, a departure from the incremental updates seen in the second generation. Key Points: 1. Model Years: The third-generation Ford Taurus was produced from 1996 to 1999. 2. Redesign: This generation marked the first complete exterior redesign since the Taurus' introduction in 1986, aimed at recapturing the class-leading design of the original model. 3. Body Styles: The Taurus was offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with the station wagon also marketed as the Mercury Sable. 4. Competition: In response to the introduction of Chrysler LH cars in 1992, the redesign aimed to compete with rivals such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, both of which had become significant competition for the Taurus. 5. Market Position: The Taurus had previously overtaken the Honda Accord as the best-selling car in the United States, and the third generation sought to maintain and improve its market position against other competing brands like GM and Chrysler. In summary, the third-generation Ford Taurus introduced a significant redesign to compete with key rivals in the automotive market, emphasizing a class-leading