Yeah, they think it's necessary because everyone else is doing it. Big deal.
Very true. Since the Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai dealers down the road will be mentioning that their mid-sizers have them, Ford wants their salesmen to be able to do the same.
Leaving ABS out of the standard mix is still kind of strange to me though. I understand that there are some people who don't want it, along with fleets, but it's so cheap to put in these days I don't understand why they kept it an option. Especially when most Fusions I see around here do not have the side bags and curtains but do have the ABS/TC package. Maybe we're just not representative of the rest of the country. :confuse:
Yes we did, but now Zephyr was just tested. Zephyr has all airbags standard and still scored lower that say G6 or Malibu with airbags (acceptable vs. good for side impact).
It is today's market expectation that newly designed vehicles get top scores in front and side tests (both NHTSA and IIHS). There is no point whether you or I think that those tests are "real world", or whether it is important. The market does. It also appears almost everybody else was able to achieve that in at least some of their trims - Ford did not, as Zephyr was the last piece of the puzzle.
Fusion/Milan have a good run, which is really great - they need it. It gives Ford some time to get back and redesign chassis so it can improve the scores. However, they have a really nasty habit of taking their one-time success as an ethernal thing and milk the cow without feeding it. Before Fusion/Milan/Zephy run out of steam, new design should roll out - not just new lights in front and back, but a new chassis. Time will show.
The U.S. has the toughest crashtest ratings in the world, right next to some European countries. Japan, have you ever visited Japan? I have to wonder about what thier crashtest ratings are? or standards are? I saw and rode in some vehicles that I know would not pass a test here in the U.S. or Europe...
This topic has been beaten to death over and over again. Granted, the Fusion doesn't get 5 star rating. However, 4 star does not indicate a deathtrap that some want you to believe. Education is key.
For no particular reason, I happened to take a look IIHS crash test results from the prior generation of Sonata/Kia Optima. I was shocked to see the photos of what was considered acceptable, since I remembered that the Fusion's photos did not look too bad.
While the Fusion photos actually do look acceptable the Sonata/Optima ones sure do not seem acceptable.
Just thought this was an interesting comparison...you can see the photos at:
Technically, the changes went into effect with Job 2 which is before Jan. You can spot an 07 Job 2 in that it has a mast radio antenna instead of one in the rear glass.
to wonder why this wasn't all over the media? Also, I have been hammering two other car websites as to why they still list the 06 crash test ratings for the Fusion when you compare sedans. This is very, very misleading and can sway a purchase to another car.. :mad:
Same reason they don't advertise keyless entry keypads (makes me sick seeing the OnStar commercials where prople call and wait for OnStar to unlock the car - what if you locked your cell phone in the car?), lower emissions, etc.
They do appear to be waking up with the F150 and Expedition ads, but this is not Ford's strong suit.
Comments
Very true. Since the Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai dealers down the road will be mentioning that their mid-sizers have them, Ford wants their salesmen to be able to do the same.
Leaving ABS out of the standard mix is still kind of strange to me though. I understand that there are some people who don't want it, along with fleets, but it's so cheap to put in these days I don't understand why they kept it an option. Especially when most Fusions I see around here do not have the side bags and curtains but do have the ABS/TC package. Maybe we're just not representative of the rest of the country. :confuse:
It is today's market expectation that newly designed vehicles get top scores in front and side tests (both NHTSA and IIHS). There is no point whether you or I think that those tests are "real world", or whether it is important. The market does. It also appears almost everybody else was able to achieve that in at least some of their trims - Ford did not, as Zephyr was the last piece of the puzzle.
Fusion/Milan have a good run, which is really great - they need it. It gives Ford some time to get back and redesign chassis so it can improve the scores. However, they have a really nasty habit of taking their one-time success as an ethernal thing and milk the cow without feeding it. Before Fusion/Milan/Zephy run out of steam, new design should roll out - not just new lights in front and back, but a new chassis. Time will show.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
This topic has been beaten to death over and over again. Granted, the Fusion doesn't get 5 star rating. However, 4 star does not indicate a deathtrap that some want you to believe. Education is key.
While the Fusion photos actually do look acceptable the Sonata/Optima ones sure do not seem acceptable.
Just thought this was an interesting comparison...you can see the photos at:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=115
and
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=631
Mark.
They do appear to be waking up with the F150 and Expedition ads, but this is not Ford's strong suit.