Posted by Dan Hall on January 11, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Last week George asked us to share our pre-NAIAS thoughts on what the show might hold for each the VehicleVoice staffers. One of my interests centered on the reveal of the 2013 Ford Fusion, as it represents one for Ford’s single most important vehicles in maintaining momentum with US consumers. Ford’s last mid-cycle refresh of the Fusion, brought considerable attention to the vehicle and increased sales significantly. At NAIAS this week, VehicleVoice got the chance to review a completely updated model, which takes the Fusion to a new level.
Ford is not being shy about their intentions for Fusion. In the press reveal, Ford openly talked about Accord and Camry woes that started before the natural disasters, and have not relented. 2013 Fusion advertising touts “More than a new car model. A new model for cars”. We’ve seen this language before from Detroit, and it is often been offered with products that don’t deliver. In fact, it’s often apparent before the press conference is over. Not so, with the 2013 Fusion. This vehicle delivers.
From the front, one can seriously see Aston Martin design influence. It sounds crazy, but it works. “To me it looks expensive,” said AutoPacific’s Dave Sullivan. The new design is bolder, perhaps not as expressive as Hyundai’s Sonata, but that’s a good thing. It communicates style, but also maturity and longevity. The Inside of the vehicle communicates European feel of its siblings, Focus and Fiesta, but in a larger package more suited to US tastes. While the instrument panel is a bit busy to meet our taste, it conveys a more modern and sportier look than either Camry or Accord.
V6 engines continue to vacate this segment. With new engine technologies, AutoPacific is finding less consumers demanding a V6 in this and other similar sized segments. Ford will offer only four-cylinder engines.
• 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. No MPG figures revealed yet.
• 1.6-liter engine will deliver 26 mpg city/37 highway.
• Fusion Hybrid will get 47 mpg city/44 highway.
• Fusion Energi, the plug-in hybrid, will hit the equivalent of 100 mpg.
The current Fusion sold 248,000 units last year, an increase of 13 percent, and the third straight year of double-digit sales increases. While not pointing to any specific figures, it’s certain that Ford expects the new model to have further gains.
Depending upon how you slice it, the mid-sized car segment represents about half of the U.S. passenger car market last year. Camry was recently redesigned and has received below average reviews. With the Accord, Mazda6, and Nissan Altima coming up next fall, the overall picture gets even more competitive. There is also word out that Hyundai has shortened the life cycle of the current Sonata, likely increasing competition further in the near future.
While pricing has not been revealed, Ford expects to hold prices similar to the current model, which starts at $20,200. When asked if the New Fusion will reach tops in segment sales Allen Mulally responded that consumers would make that decision. That’s the right approach. Build the right vehicles and consumers will be happy to let you bring home a profit. We’re looking forward to watching this play out.
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Posted by George Peterson on January 5, 2012 at 5:08 pm
An annual pilgrimage for the auto industry is to attend the press days at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit each January. Unfortunately, this year I cannot attend because my physicians caution that I should not be heaving carry-ons into and out of overhead bins and baggage carousels.
So, I’m jealous.
One of the primary businesses of AutoPacific is to keep on top of what is the latest in the auto industry worldwide, so AutoPacific will still be well represented at Detroit.
I asked each of our staff members to remind me why I should or should not be jealous of them attending instead of me. Read below the break for their input.
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Posted by Dan Hall on January 5, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Sometimes things start out great and end up only OK, or perhaps worse. The smell of coffee in the morning. Most Superbowls. A full bottle of Patron. We recently had the opportunity to experience the Audi e-tron and came away excited by the vehicle, but wondering why we got to see so much of it.
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Posted by George Peterson on January 3, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Goodyear Auto Service Centers – the Most Satisfying Tire Retailer in AutoPacific’s 1st Replacement Tire Retailer Dynamics and Satisfaction Study
About 26% of drivers in the USA have replaced one or more tires in the last twelve months. Most of these tires are purchased and serviced by a Tire Retailer. Tire retailers can range from the corner service station to an auto dealership, a mass market retailer or a specialist nationwide tire center. Knowing which tire retailers provide the most satisfying service is critical when deciding where to purchase Replacement Tires. In its first Replacement Tire Brand Dynamics and Satisfaction Study AutoPacific surveyed over 15,000 vehicle owners who bought replacement tires over the past twelve months to determine what is important when choosing a replacement tire and which tire retailers provide the most satisfying experience.
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Posted by Dave Sullivan on December 11, 2011 at 11:13 pm
There are a few Volkswagen models that seem to resonate highly with women. One was the ‘New Beetle’ that was an instant hit. Maybe it was the flower pot? Maybe it was the cartoonish styling? The second was the Volkswagen Cabrio. I hate to stereotype here but I’m going to. The Cabrio was a chick’s car. An anemic powertrain and powder puff looks had me thinking back to the last time I rode in one in college. Oh and that picnic basket look was just a major eyesore. Urban Dictionary even calls the Cabrio the Bitch Basket. It was embarrassing, noisy, and not something I wanted an encore of. So, is the Eos an improvement over the defunct Cabrio with better styling, powertrain, and design or is the Eos still the flagship for the feminist movement? Let’s find out…
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Posted by Dave Sullivan on December 5, 2011 at 12:41 am
It was about a year ago when I first got my hands on the new-for-2011 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee. Looking bigger, better and more refined than ever, the Grand Cherokee had a few nit picks that could have made it just the teensiest bit better. For 2012, Jeep decided to make a few of these changes. Let’s check ‘em out.
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Posted by Dan Hall on November 28, 2011 at 3:36 pm
For more than a few years Lexus has been working towards creating a more exciting driving experience. The LFA and IS F are certainly worthy vehicles for those inclined to a vehicle that generates passion. But those two vehicles are certainly the Lexus exceptions. While the LFA and IS prove that Lexus can make engaging vehicles, they don’t prove that Lexus is about engaging vehicles. The 2013 Lexus GS is designed to change that. With the age of a Lexus buyer knocking on sixty’s door, it makes sense that this move could help the brand in the long run. We had the opportunity to see first hand if Lexus’ mainstream GS could move the needle towards automotive passion.
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Posted by Dave Sullivan on November 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm
If there is one thing that bothers me is the notion of guilty until proven innocent. Go and visit other countries and this is the way of life there. Not so in the U.S., unless you work for NHTSA. Recent headlines have said that the Volt is basically a tinderbox on wheels…when you have a side impact with a light pole or tree. Statistically unproven and contrary to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety findings that the Volt is a safe vehicle for the masses.
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Posted by Dave Sullivan on November 10, 2011 at 12:04 am
Honda just can’t seem to catch a break these days. With the fallout from the tsunami, a profit sucking Japanese currency issue, the floods in Thailand, and the media in an uproar over the new Civic, well, Honda’s public relations team is working overtime. So, is the Civic really the worst car out of Honda in years or has the segment just gotten that good?
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Posted by Dave Sullivan on November 2, 2011 at 12:28 am
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I need to give you full disclosure: I love engines with forced induction. Turbos and superchargers make me smile, well, most of the time. My father had a Lincoln MKT EcoBoost when they first came out and I appreciated the idea of a turbo V6 but wasn’t particularly impressed with the the package. The front-wheel biased all-wheel drive torque steer and transmission calibration never seemed to be as polished as I had hoped for in a vehicle of that price point. It could use a dose of that torque vectoring system from the Focus to balance out the massive amount of power. My opinion of the V6 EcoBoost from Ford was basically “meh”, as I never felt like the refinement was all there. A stint in a Taurus SHO confirmed this fact for me. Sure, it’s a stupid powerful powertrain but it was missing the harmony that made the engine mate up to the car like peanut butter and jelly.
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