The Fusion and smaller Focus are aimed at the heart of a car market long dominated by the Japanese Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – whose models historically provide lower cost of ownership.
When the new 2013 Ford Fusion sedan goes on sale later this year, it will offer an optional start-stop system for $295. The automatic Start-Stop system saves fuel when the car is standing and running at idle by shutting the engine off. The technology – long in use in hybrid vehicles – offers fuel economy improvements since an idling engine gets 0 mpg. Start-Stop (it really should be called Stop-Start since the engine has to be running first for the system to activate) is almost invisible to the driver, with only a slight shudder felt as the starter-alternator engages to restart the dormant engine.
Ford claims fuel economy benefits of roughly 3.5% to as much as 10% depending on driving conditions. And wile fuel prices and fuel economy are currently dominating automotive marketing, the key issue facing the Fusion is its overall pricing compared to the competition, which is not released yet.
Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is an expensive component because of its turbocharging, direct injection fuel system and twin independent variable camshaft timing. Ford has been charging premium prices in its other vehicles that use EcoBoost with varying degrees of success.
Fusion is Ford’s latest attempt at a ‘world’ car – a European Mondeo based, Mexican-built mid-size sedan for the U.S. The existing Mazda6 derived Fusion is the best selling car in Ford’s U.S. lineup and the only Ford passenger car consistently in the Top Ten best selling list
The Fusion and the smaller Focus are aimed right at the heart of the passenger car market long dominated by the Japanese Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – whose compact and mid-size models – Camry, Corolla, Accord, Civic, Altima -historically provide a lower cost of ownership. Recently Hyundai has made large inroads in the same so-called D- and C-car segments by under pricing major competitors by $1,000 or more.
Ford’s relative lack of success in car segments will make this launch one to watch. The Number 2 automaker in U.S. sales should have picked up more than a 3.7% increase in passenger car sales during 2011 while the industry gained 9% in the view of critics. This small Ford gain came with all the major Japanese automakers virtually out of the market for months – May to September or later and still not completely recovered – because of natural disasters.
“We expect the average Fusion driver with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and Auto Start-Stop will save about $1,100 more than other midsize sedan owners during five years of driving,” claimed Samantha Hoyt, Fusion marketing manager.
EPA mileage ratings for the 2013 Fusion have not been released yet. Fusion will offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, and two EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at idle, and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications. There will be a choice between automatic and manual six-speed transmissions.
Ford’s relative lack of success in car segments will make this launch one to watch. The Number 2 automaker in U.S. sales should have picked up more than a 3.7% increase in passenger car sales during 2011 while the industry gained 9% in the view of critics. This small gain came with all the major Japanese automakers virtually out of the market for months – May to October or later– because of natural disasters.
See:
- Ford Debuts Mondeo Based, Mexican-Built Fusion at NAIAS
- Lincoln MKZ Concept Derived off Ford Fusion Debuts at NAIAS
