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The new Fusion will be made in Mexico. I hope that Ford has found a way to instill the idea of quality ownership in the Mexican worker. I have worked for 2 companies with production facilities in Juarez, Mexico and was never impressed with the work ethic or end quality. I would have been SO much happier with the Fusion if it was made in Canada or the US.
And for anyone who says I am making a rash generalization, yes, I sure am. But, I hope Ford gets the production facility in tip top shape with low worker turnover.
My suggestion for anyone buying a Fusion is to get one made before mid December or after mid February.
Sorry for getting of on a tangent...
The Fusion will be a great car. If you get out on the net and read how this car was developed it will surprise you.
The Toyota sluge problem shows up in 0.03% of vehicles. And people shrug.
So far the NHTSA has received 550 complaints regarding the infamous cruise control switch. The press is going crazy.
This switch was installed on 16 million vehicles!!!
For you Math Wizs thats 0.000034375%.
Real facts are that it is no longer Reliability that seperates the Japanese from the Domestics, in my opinion its the Quality or what you get for the buck.
The Fusion really looks like it is going to have the same type of quality build, features, drive, handling, etc., that people expect from Japanese brands.
Whether you buy a Fusion or a Cam/cord is really going to be a matter of personal taste.
An example of where Ford failed in the "quality" end of the design is the Ford Freestar. First they used an old unpleasent powertrain on the van. Then they made it worse by putting a ridiculously high sticker price on the van. Is no wonder that now they have $6,000 rebates on them. (reliability seems pretty crappy as well)
Mark
Hmm...I was hoping it would be more european-like in terms of those things like quality (not to be confused with reliability), handling., etc. Japanese-like reliability would be nice too.
I thought Japanese cars were known for just reliability, meaning that they keep running and don't break. I don't think of a light, tinny japanese car, with cheap interior as high in quality.
-juice
So far the NHTSA has received 550 complaints regarding the infamous cruise control switch. The press is going crazy.
This switch was installed on 16 million vehicles!!!
For you Math Wizs thats 0.000034375%.
The Toyota number is documeted by actual cases - not those reported to NHTSA. How many cases of sludging were reported to NHTSA?
As a Ford shareholder, I expect more of them.
I like the 6 as well, but it hasn't put a dent in Camry/Accord sales, and it has the V6/manual combo. Not to mention 3 body styles.
Are expectations too high for this vehicle? Will the sheer number of Ford dealers help it outsell the 6 by such a wide margin?
I'm curious to hear, besides styling, what will set this car apart.
-juice
The five hundred is a great car first and foremost because they made it very big without guzzling too much gas.
The new Camry is reportedly going to be even bigger than the current one. This is going to put the fusion into a different category for many potential buyers.
I do not think the fusion will be a flop, though. Especially when the new 3.5L comes out and if ford decides to put a manumatic and Nav into it.
Just my take, thanks.
http://www.ford.com/en/company/about/corporateCitizenship/report/articlesHermosilloFelixGu- illen.htm
It's the manager of Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico facility talking about how their turnover rate is less than 1%. Lots of other info in the links on that page about the plant where the Fusion is being built. Bottom line -- it's a world class facility.
Oh I don't think it'll flop, I'm just asking out of curiosity. Seems like you find strong opinions one way or the other, it'll fail miserably or be a best seller, depending on who you ask.
-juice
In this age of super fragmented market niches with probably as many brands and models as have ever existed in the US marketplace, I doubt if you will ever see any one model command the volume as in the past.
What annual capacity will the Mexican Fusion plant have, anyone know?
~alpha
The Mazda6 was downgraded to 210HP for MY2006, it's now a 11HP difference.
Alpha,
240-250K roughly if they wanted to maximize it...but anything over 200K for all combined vehicles, is what the priority was, which shouldn't be hard to exceed.
Anyway Karl says there'll be a First Drive on the Fusion/Milan soon on Edmunds, as the embargo was lifted on Sept 1. I sure can't wait to read the road test!
-juice
First, as you said, Mazda simply doesn't have the dealer network to support Ford/Toyota level sales.
Second, the 6 is slightly too small for the American market. I believe its sales have actually been quite good in other markets, particularly in Europe. The Fusion has been widened and lengthened to make up for this, and if you have a chance to sit in one you will see that it feels a lot bigger than the 6.
Whether or not expectations are too high remains to be seen, but they have addressed the size issue, and it will obviously be supported by Ford's network of dealers. If it is as fun to drive as the 6 then it should do well.
-juice
I will include one of hundreds of URL articles available on the web.
Ant14--- I know Ford has been offering The E85 or FFV option on many vehicles, but it seems most engines are not the multi valve engines? Any chance the Fusion engines will be available with this flexible fuel option. Of course here in Ohio which I've seen many Ford FFV badged vehicles running around, probably 100%unleaded. We only have one station in all of Ohio, hopeful Katrina will wake up America and we'll get back to saving energy again that started way back in late 70's.
Anyhow in the corn belt a friend in Kansas City told me E85 pumps $2.31gallon as 87 unleaded when over $3.00. Info on E85
http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faqs/e85.php?topic=E85101
Ant 14 just how much of stretch is it to offer this? I've heard besides the PCM programming was a optical sensor that sensed the percentages of ethanol - unleaded. But then I noticed most engines are the two valve heads?
Note to our host "Kirstie H, "not sure if there is a E85 forum, but since I and my eldest son are looking at this vehicle in the near future I posted here? My son lives in Illinois so FFV would make it all the more desirable. Illinois has dozens of ethanol production facilities.
Matthew Simmons http://www.iags.org/n0331043.htm one of many URL's
TNX
Paul
I'm doing my part since 79 with Solar Domestic Hot water that's still working and I'm now replacing my Air to Air heat pump with a Geothermal heat pump. Now if Ohio would only encourage ethanol again? Time to bug my representitive? What's his name?
Ford would be concentrating more on the Hybrid and diesel route, rather than E85. Although there are still some vehicles available with E85, or even gas powered CV if need be. When the Vulcan 3.0L dies out, it'll take most of the E85 availability with it.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Fusion I-4 delivers 31 mpg, Fusion V-6 deliver 29 mpg
Hybrid model to be introduced in 2008
Really looking forward to driving one. Although I wasnt impressed with the interior of the Milan that I spent some time in (dinky gauges, hard dash plastic on top, flimsy center console storage cover above HVAC vents), the ride/handling compromise of this car looks great.
Do we know MPG yet?
~alpha
Looking at 23/30 for I-4 Manual, 23/31 I-4 Auto, 21/29 V6 Auto... those are the goals, still awaiting final numbers.
She was concerned that all the airbags in the Accord would smother her children in the even of an accident.
Personally I would rather drive a car that had a strong structure to start with, rather than a car that used side airbags to "substitute" for a strong structure. I would reserve judgement on the optional airbags until we see a side impact test.
The Mazda 6 really bombed the side impact with out side air bags test but supposedly Ford spend a lot of time strengthening the structure to better send up to a side impact.
Mark
I'll take both a strong structure and the side airbags, thanks. Making the airbags optional is fine as long as they make them available at any trim level and do not require to much else with them. Ford could have left out the silly "anti-theft perimeter alarm"...but the air bag package at $595 MSRP is something that I would pay for.
He is asking for a e-mail at Ford to write his questions. I'm doing his leg work, the fuel controls are used on the Blackhawk/variants, helicopter which is also by Coast Guard.
Seven days week since Iraq.
TNX
Paul
So if you buy a Hybrid Fusion hopefully it will be FFV capable. If you're going "green" might as well go as versatile as possible.
Paul
.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/insiders/0509/06/0auto-304565.htm
The new GM-Ford joint venture 6-speed automatic transmission, the AWD, and the new 3.5 V6 will really keep the monentum going. A wagon version would be nice, but I guess that the Edge/Aviator/CX-7 will serve that function.
-juice
To my eye, the styling is great. Even the three bar grill and the clear taillights, which looked a little polarizing in photos, looked good in the flesh.
The interior was stylish and well put together with lots of soft-touch surfaces, and the seats appeared to be comfortable during my short drive.
I particularly liked the firm steering. In contrast, I have rented pontiac G6s, and Chevy Malibu's and hated their disconnected, no feel steering. I hope the Fusion hastens the end of over boosted steering.
Even thought my visit with the Fusion was short, I came away very impressed.
"In one market test in Orange County, Calif., Ford lined up Fusion against segment leaders Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu. The majority chose the Fusion as the favorite. But when they learned the Fusion was a Ford, many switched back to Camry."
Get out on the net. More and more reviews are popping up. :shades:
I'm not saying it's bad, just that a positive review from them doesn't mean anything at all.
when they learned the Fusion was a Ford, many switched back to Camry
That's in import-leaning California, so there's the other side of the fence.
-juice
Not really.
They don't seem to be too fond of the Aztec's new wannabe twin either.