Wow!
Puebla, Mexico has become a major manufacturing center.
It rivals Monterrey.
Trump needs to follow through with a significant tariff on Fusions.
Well, that’s nice. Back in WW II Ford car factories built tanks. If - heaven forbid - there is another major war, will China allow us to build tanks in those Chinese Ford plants?
Well, no new Focus or Fusion for me.
* 1st just because they will keep the Fusion nameplate in China, doesn't mean it will be approx the same size car.
* Other cars are being axed, think CMax which shares the Fusion Energi's plug-in hybrid drive train, if you opt for that.
* While Ford has denoted some of the platforms that will go away, my guess is as much as the auto press may want to pontificate, that kind of stuff is probaby held real close to the vest.
* Unless I heard wrong via radio or TV media that one plant in particular Flat Rock ( Mustang and Fusion ) was getting a bit land locked and running out of room(?). I don't know how much reserve real-estate they have and are they in a pinch, although the Mi-Ave plant where the new "Ranger" is slated to be built is huge.
The Fusion looks classy compared with most cars in a similar price range. A lot of cars nowadays are ugly. I suppose that means Ford will replace the Fusion with some ugly-looking thing. I don’t think they could give me a car that was made in China.
Simple solution:
1. Drive to your local Ford Dealership.
2. Test drive a Fusion.
3. Ask where the vehicle was manufactured.
4. If the answer is Mexico or China, say, “I cannot take a chance with this car. Just look at all the recall problems like the air bags initiators which were grenades that blew people’s heads off. Sorry, but I think I will go purchase a car I can count on.”
Do not wait until the 2020 model year. Ford needs to hear—and to worry—about customer loyalty issues now.
Poorly written article.
“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.”
“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.”
Well, which is it?
The big three are no more “American” than any of the foreign based auto manufacturers. In the case of Ford and GM, they’re anti-American open borders one world government Marxists. It makes perfect sense they’re working intimately with China, France and Spain...they have the same ideology.
Wasn’t a bad looking vehicle.
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.
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.
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.
High end Volvos are now produced in China
The Fusion is a piece of Ford Junk anyways. The electronic power steering is a nightmare. I would guess that people have been killed from it.
The last Ford I ever owned was a 1968 model. I don’t see that changing any time soon.