Even if these analysts are right, and the median age for the Five Hundred buyer is close to or past retirement age, who

When you look more closely, Ford's Five Hundred and Chrysler's 300 aren't direct rivals at all. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

really cares? They've got the money, at least more on average than Mitsubishi's younger set, and we all know how that turned out, plus there's a lot more boomers out their than any other generation. Automakers such as Toyota celebrate the fact that their Avalon has a median age of about 70 years. Hey, maybe that's why the Japanese automaker designed a car that looks like the automotive equivalent of a comb-over. The fact is that both companies are targeting different audiences with each entry, much in the same way BMW dupes it out with Mercedes-Benz. Reality is, few BMW customers walk across the road and purchase a Mercedes-Benz, at least until they mature in years, as the two companies are fundamentally different at the core. Likewise, Ford's Five Hundred and Chrysler's 300 aren't direct rivals at all, getting back to the epic comparison.

But interestingly enough each car took a similar root in development. The Chrysler, and its Dodge Magnum wagon and upcoming

The Five Hundred sports chassis architecture from Volvo's flagship S80 sedan. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Charger sedan LX siblings, is the direct result of Chrysler Group's marriage with then Daimler-Benz, a company now called DaimlerChrysler. Much of the car's general architecture, including its suspension components, steering rack and 5-speed transmission, are sourced from the very competent Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Likewise, the Five Hundred team took advantage of its relationship with Sweden's Volvo, a sibling nameplate that's also part of the Ford Motor Company umbrella through its Premier Auto Group (PAG) parent. The new sedan sports chassis architecture from Volvo's flagship S80 sedan, including its sophisticated Haldex all-wheel drive system.