Posted on 12/24/2017 6:13:52 AM PST by jjotto
New reports surfaced on Wednesday claiming Ford is planning to concentrate production of the next-generation Fusion mid-size sedan in China.
The current Fusion is produced at plants in Spain, Mexico and China. However, Automotive News (subscription required) and Reuters have learned from their respective sources that production of the next-generation Fusion, due in 2020, will take place exclusively in China.
The Spanish plant is safe as Ford in November said it will spend $887 million at the site to produce the next-generation Kuga, Europe's version of the Escape compact SUV.
It’s not clear what Ford has in store for the Mexican plant, which also produces the Lincoln MKZ. This month we learned that Ford will produce its planned electric SUV in Mexico starting in 2020, though this model is expected to be produced at a separate Mexican plant to the Fusion and MKZ plant.
When pushed for comment, Ford told Reuters that there are no plans to export a next-generation Fusion from China to either the United States or Europe, where the car is labeled a Mondeo, and that information on the next-generation Fusion/Mondeo will be announced at a later date.
If the reports are accurate, it may mean Ford plans to exit the mid-size sedan segment in North America or replace the Fusion with a new model. Sales of the current car are down 22 percent in the United States through November, highlighting the general decline in the market for passenger car sales.
Ford in a new strategy outlined in October said there will be fewer nameplates in the future, though the automaker didn’t say which current nameplates would be axed. The move is part of the automaker’s reaction to the consumer shift to SUVs, pickup trucks and electric cars, which the automaker sees as permanent.
Production locations remains a thorny issue for Ford which last year was criticized by President Donald Trump for proposing to move production of the Focus compact from Michigan to Mexico. The hubbub led to Ford confirming production of a new Ranger and Bronco in Michigan to fill the void of the Focus. The automaker has since confirmed that production of the Focus will take place in China instead of Mexico, and that the Chinese-made cars will be exported to the U.S.
Stay tuned for an update.
That is my take away from this. The sales patterns are changing and Ford is adjusting. Crossover SUV’s have taken a big bite out of passenger car sales. Ford has not been a big player in the Mid-Level passenger car market since the Taurus/Sable in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s.
We own a 2012 Fusion AWD sedan. 55,000 miles on the clock.
No problems.
A recent grad who worked for me as an analyst bought a new Fusion. Was very annoyed to find out it got worse mileage than my Jeep.
News: If someone is getting worse mpg in a Fusion than you get in a Jeep, there’s a 99% chance the problem is the driver, not the car.
It’s two different models referenced there — the Fusion and the Focus.
Ford is supposed to make a new Ranger at the Romeo, MI plant. They will also produce a new Bronco. I’m not sure either of these will be big sellers. Rumors on Bronco is they are watering it down from the 60’s styling and it will be more grocery getter than off-Road capable. Ranger is strange - the small pick up lines have gotten bigger in size. Instead of the ranger, why not buy an F-150 with excellent safety and value?
The Focus will be built in China, and the Fusion will be built in Mexico. Neither will be built in the US. Information that is coming out of our ring of retirees and is very reliable.
> Ranger is strange - the small pick up lines have gotten bigger in size. <
I’ve been waiting for the new Ranger to come out. But I’ve read that it will be larger than the old Ranger. I’ll pass on that.
I really don’t understand Ford’s thinking here. A new Ranger the size of the old one would have the small-truck market all to itself.
I see a lot of old Rangers in my area being used as commercial delivery trucks. Pepsi especially. Those trucks are showing there age. Like me, those folks want a truck. But a small one. Not a big F-150.
I wrote off Ford when they went turbo happy and axed the Panther platform. They’ve become a European car company with Detroit offices.
If they weren’t so fearful about making the Fusion into a 4 door Mustang (including the V6 in their base edition), I’d have given them a last chance.
They may have saved themselves, but at what cost to the brand?
My little 75 year old Mother in law just bought a Fusion AWD with the twin turbo V6. That little car hauls arse!
Agree with you Ford would have the small truck market to themselves with the right sized truck. Not sure what Ford is thinking here. Their lineup is going to be mostly SUV’s and larger trucks, Chinee Focus, and the Mustang.
The V6 Fusion is what that platform should have been in the first place. Not the cut-down I4.
No way a modern auto assembly plant lends itself to tank assembly. The equipment is too specialized. Components maybe but assembly no way.
Last year we were shooting a couple of varmint hunting shows for our 7th season of CARNIVORE on the ranch and my friend showed up in a new Ford 4x4 with the V-6 twin turbo, he could outrun my GMC with the 6.2 420 HP V-8. That’s a stout little V-6.
So they’re going to cede the Taurus’s fleet sales to Chrysler/GM?
I'm a past owner of the old, small Rangers, and am one of the people who have lamented the loss of that size truck. I am old enough to remember when the Datsun pickups caught on and were driven by their owners until the bodies corroded past the point of usefulness, and I owned a previously-enjoyed Mazda B2000 that was one of the best - and most useful - "beaters" I have ever had the pleaasure to own. Small, simple, and sometimes quirky, they were loveable in a way that maybe younger drivers can't relate to.
Never buy new. I just went to Carmax and picked up a 2015 F150 supercab xlt w chome package, 2.7 liter twin turbo v6 in bronxe fire metalic, 23,000 miles still under factory warranty for $29K. Got $9K for my 2011 mustang in trade. 325HP, 375ft lbs, averaging 24 mpg.
Carmax does book value on trade and sale. Easy way to buy a good used car for alot less money. Plus, buying used doesn’t put money in manufacturers pocket, but they still have to honor the warranty.
BTW, if you like the sound and power of a V8, the truck can be switched to sport mode. This adjusts the transmission and RPMs. It also turns boost up on the turbos. Sounds great and gets you off the line quick.
Ford is making the jump to hybrids. I think that is a mistake, but there it is. It’s very possible that the next generation Fusion will continue to be primarily equipped with a gasoline-engine and be destined only for the Asian market.
The 4-cylinder Eco-Boost engine is a heckuva power plant. Both economical and powerful when it needs to be. Ford is throwing that advantage away to join the hybrid stampede.
I’m still wondering where all the battery metals are supposed to come from when there’s already a shortage?
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