“新甲壳虫之父”汽车设计杰作回顾

2005款福特五百

    梅斯在五百身上采用了风格迥异的实用主义手法。这辆车隆起的车身下是深陷的内饰和大得能装下六个高尔夫球袋的后备箱，但它却没有什么能激发购买者热情的亮点。梅斯为此勇担责任，他对《汽车设计和生产》（ Automotive Design and Production）杂志表示：“它就是缺乏感染力。因为我们都很注重团队合作，结果就搞出了这么一辆因为妥协而四平八稳的车。不过我们再也不会犯这种错误了。在我这辈子设计过的所有车型中，我很后悔没在这辆车上更坚持自己的主张。”

2005 Ford Five Hundred

    Mays took an uncharacteristic turn toward the utilitarian in the Five Hundred, whose bloated shape enclosed a cavernous interior and trunk big enough for six golf bags but did little to excite buyer passions. Mays took the heat, telling Automotive Design and Production: "It's just lacking in the emotional appeal. We were being good team players, and we ended up with a car that compromised itself in terms of style. But we will never make that mistake again. Of all the cars I've designed in my career, I regret not pushing harder on that car."