Platinum Or Titanium: Choose Your Metal
Is there a showdown brewing at the top of Ford's trim structure? Until now, those who have been seeking the most features and nicest creature comforts from a Ford SUV, crossover, or sedan have been directed to the Titanium trim level, which is available on models like the subcompact Fiesta, the mid-size Fusion, and the compact Escape and mid-size Edge crossovers (with vehicles like the Flex and the Taurus drawing the line at Limited).
Along comes Platinum, a trim level that started out in the Ford F-150 and truck-based Expedition full-size SUV, but which has now trickled down to the Explorer. Platinum models are ostensibly what Titanium editions of Ford vehicles once were, only more so, but in a puzzling bit of cross-branding these two trim levels exist on parallel tracks that seem destined never to cross.
With three vehicles in the Ford family now offered in Platinum form, one has to wonder how much time Titanium has left. Will the Titanium appellation live on for less flashy vehicles like the Ford Focus where luxury isn't as much of a concern, with Platinum taking over everywhere a potential foray into the premium sphere could generate sales momentum? Does this mean that a Platinum Mustang, Taurus, or Flex could be in the works? Or will Ford go down the same path it has taken with its pickup and simply array luxury editions side-by-side, creating a top-heavy, profit-friendly family of automobiles designed to satisfy buyers for whom the best is the only thing they want to park in their garage?
