Thinking about the Five Hundred's nondescript nature and combining that with its tremendous functionality, I find it

All that makes the Five Hundred an excellent family car are the same attributes that will cause fleet buyers to want to purchase them. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

difficult to believe that Ford will be able to keep sales restricted to retail only. At least that's the automaker's plan, a business model seen as important for bolstering resale values and changing peoples' perceptions that large Ford sedans are primarily for taxi cab and police car duties. I'm not saying that retail customers won't pay heed to how good the car really is, and trade up from their Tauruses when the leases run out, but it'll be hard for fleet managers to say to the countless corporations that have always bought cars like the Crown Vic and Taurus en masse for tremendous discount to populate their respective vehicle pools, that "you sir can't purchase the 376 Five Hundreds needed for your national sales staff, but rather you'll have to go and buy them from an individual dealer one at a time because the car isn't going to be sold that way." Get real. I can't see it happening. Besides, all that makes the Five Hundred an excellent family car or businessperson's conveyance are the same attributes that will cause fleet buyers to want to purchase them. It offers a great price, first and foremost, quick acceleration for the segment, great handling, front- or all-wheel drive

Ford is touting the eight golf bag capability of the Five Hundred's gargantuan trunk. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

powertrain choices, excellent fuel economy, major improvements in interior quality, massive interior dimensions, especially when seated in the rear, and a gargantuan trunk. Yeah, Ford is still touting the eight golf bag capability of the Five Hundred's 595-liter (21.0 cubic foot) hold, despite the fact that only five individuals can legally ride inside the car. A few snickering journalists from the back of the presentation room stuck a few jabs in about "eight golf bags or four perps," cop-speak for criminals. Or how about the "eight golf bags or four wheelchairs" jibe, a stab at what some analysts consider will be the most likely age group to buy into the big sedan.