[BW2221]

You are right in your assessment about SUVs and trucks.

Ford (along with GM and Chrysler) have to be careful about cloning successful Japanese models too closely. One of the reasons given for Fusion not selling better is that it looks "too Japanese."

This year Ford has sold more Taurus models (which are sold only to fleets - marginally profitable sales) than Fusions. That's a sad commentary on the state of Ford.

[eraser2005]

Speaking of the Fusion and the Taurus, does anyone know the current capacity of the Hermosillo plant that builds the Fusion? Last I heard (2004), the capacity was at 160,000 vehicles per year. Thats based on a two shift run. If you go to 3, you could hit 240,000.

Year to date, Fusion/Zephyr/Milan sales total 147215 (through August). That puts them at an annual pace of about 221,000. In other words, unless Hermosillo has been expanded significantly, it is likely running all-out to keep up with demand, and they'll need to open another line elsewhere to add extra capacity.

As for the Taurus outselling the Fusion, it no longer is in recent months... but still, to have fleet sales account for so much of your mid-size sedan sales is sad...