Fusion selling better than expected
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Fusion selling better than expected
Who would have ever thought? 
I think the car is a quality piece, but I saw it as a modest selling ride.
I guess Ford will soon have another vehicle propping them up besides just the Mustang and the F series trucks.
Ford dealers can't get enough Fusions; supply disruptions, high interest lead to low inventories
AMY WILSON | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/12/05
DETROIT -- Dealers have one major complaint about the 2006 Ford Fusion: They can't get enough of them.
The new mid-sized sedan has posted stronger-than-targeted sales since it arrived in dealerships in late September, Ford Motor Co. says. But shipments to dealers still are below expectations because of supply disruptions at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico, plant.
Ford assembles the Fusion and its Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr siblings at Hermosillo.
"Fusion is good," said Robert Thibodeau Jr. of Bob Thibodeau Ford in Center Line, Mich. "The only problem is Collins & Aikman (and) not getting enough of them."
Collins & Aikman, a large interior trim supplier going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, has been a major contributor to the slowdown at Hermosillo, Ford officials have acknowledged. The most prominent stoppage occurred in early October, when an undisclosed number of production days were lost.
But there have been no major disruptions of late, said Tony Brown, Ford senior vice president of global purchasing.
"We're delivering product," Brown said. "It's not without difficulty. We've got a bunch of people from our side … along with (Collins & Aikman) people working to make sure we keep product flowing. And we'll continue to do that."
Collins & Aikman has experienced difficulties ramping up to full production in Hermosillo, acknowledged David Youngman, a spokesman for the supplier. But "we have made the Fusion, Zephyr, Milan launch our top priority and are working with support from the customer to fulfill all of our obligations."
Ford so far has produced just more than 52,000 Fusions, Milans and Zephyrs, Ford spokesman Paul Wood said. About 50,000 have been released, he said. Ford has sold 15,481 through November.
Ford is still short of its target to have produced around 55,000 vehicles by now. But the company is closing the gap, officials said. Hermosillo is now producing around 900 vehicles a day. Weekly production has exceeded the weekly target by an average of about 400 vehicles for each of the last several weeks, Wood said.
Dealers will welcome that additional volume.
Many dealers say the Fusion is garnering a level of attention not seen by Ford cars, other than the Mustang, in years.
"I am not getting enough of them right now, but as a dealer that's not bad," said Jerry Reynolds. of Prestige Ford in Garland, Texas, in an e-mail. "They are bringing a premium, and we have a waiting list for incoming vehicles."
AMY WILSON | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/12/05
DETROIT -- Dealers have one major complaint about the 2006 Ford Fusion: They can't get enough of them.
The new mid-sized sedan has posted stronger-than-targeted sales since it arrived in dealerships in late September, Ford Motor Co. says. But shipments to dealers still are below expectations because of supply disruptions at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico, plant.
Ford assembles the Fusion and its Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr siblings at Hermosillo.
"Fusion is good," said Robert Thibodeau Jr. of Bob Thibodeau Ford in Center Line, Mich. "The only problem is Collins & Aikman (and) not getting enough of them."
Collins & Aikman, a large interior trim supplier going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, has been a major contributor to the slowdown at Hermosillo, Ford officials have acknowledged. The most prominent stoppage occurred in early October, when an undisclosed number of production days were lost.
But there have been no major disruptions of late, said Tony Brown, Ford senior vice president of global purchasing.
"We're delivering product," Brown said. "It's not without difficulty. We've got a bunch of people from our side … along with (Collins & Aikman) people working to make sure we keep product flowing. And we'll continue to do that."
Collins & Aikman has experienced difficulties ramping up to full production in Hermosillo, acknowledged David Youngman, a spokesman for the supplier. But "we have made the Fusion, Zephyr, Milan launch our top priority and are working with support from the customer to fulfill all of our obligations."
Ford so far has produced just more than 52,000 Fusions, Milans and Zephyrs, Ford spokesman Paul Wood said. About 50,000 have been released, he said. Ford has sold 15,481 through November.
Ford is still short of its target to have produced around 55,000 vehicles by now. But the company is closing the gap, officials said. Hermosillo is now producing around 900 vehicles a day. Weekly production has exceeded the weekly target by an average of about 400 vehicles for each of the last several weeks, Wood said.
Dealers will welcome that additional volume.
Many dealers say the Fusion is garnering a level of attention not seen by Ford cars, other than the Mustang, in years.
"I am not getting enough of them right now, but as a dealer that's not bad," said Jerry Reynolds. of Prestige Ford in Garland, Texas, in an e-mail. "They are bringing a premium, and we have a waiting list for incoming vehicles."
I guess Ford will soon have another vehicle propping them up besides just the Mustang and the F series trucks.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Good. We need both GM and Ford to have some hit products. I no longer look at Ford as the enemy, but rather a cross town "rival". Toyota I see as the enemy, much like the OSU/Michigan rivalry, only worse. 
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Fusion is a nice looking car at a nice price. I'm trying to sell my girl friend on one (G6 has no manual on non-GTPs 
), but she wants a "cute-ute" and is an import fan for no reason other than ignorance about how good American brand cars are now a days. She can get a 5 spd 4cly (like MPG over HP) with the SEL package for under $20,000. It is nice to see someone offer 17"s on their cyl. model. That is one of my biggest complaints about GM, they assume that if you want the fuel efficent engine you don't want the cool options like 17"s.
), but she wants a "cute-ute" and is an import fan for no reason other than ignorance about how good American brand cars are now a days. She can get a 5 spd 4cly (like MPG over HP) with the SEL package for under $20,000. It is nice to see someone offer 17"s on their cyl. model. That is one of my biggest complaints about GM, they assume that if you want the fuel efficent engine you don't want the cool options like 17"s.
Last edited by Z28x; Dec 13, 2005 at 03:00 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
What are the fuel economy numbers for a 4 cylinder/5 speed Fusion vs. a V6/Auto G6 (non-GT)? Just curious. Does your g/f want a 5 speed specifically, or is she just looking to get the best fuel economy and will settle for a manual to get it?
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
I thought Fusion would be a home-run from the 1st day I saw it...
I can't think of a better styled car in it's class... and in the end.... styling is all that really matters....
( [rant] Plus, once again, they stole 80-85% of the styling theme from the popular, and more upscale Cadillac CTS... giving the car a certain "prestiege" in it's class that no others have. [end rant] )
I can't think of a better styled car in it's class... and in the end.... styling is all that really matters....
( [rant] Plus, once again, they stole 80-85% of the styling theme from the popular, and more upscale Cadillac CTS... giving the car a certain "prestiege" in it's class that no others have. [end rant] )
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
I thought Fusion would be a home-run from the 1st day I saw it...
I can't think of a better styled car in it's class... and in the end.... styling is all that really matters....
( [rant] Plus, once again, they stole 80-85% of the styling theme from the popular, and more upscale Cadillac CTS... giving the car a certain "prestiege" in it's class that no others have. [end rant] )
I can't think of a better styled car in it's class... and in the end.... styling is all that really matters....
( [rant] Plus, once again, they stole 80-85% of the styling theme from the popular, and more upscale Cadillac CTS... giving the car a certain "prestiege" in it's class that no others have. [end rant] )
It is said to get the new 250hp 3.5L duratec and 6spd auto (one co-built with GM) next summer. That makes it even more attractive. And i don't know when but we should also see an AWD SVT version sometime in the next 2 years.
Looks like they'll have a pretty solid Fusion lineup.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 4,320
From: Memphis
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
I still haven't driven one yet, but I am familiar with the Mazda 6 that it's related to and like the way the 6 drives. I like the interior too... one of the first Ford-branded cars I've EVER seen that I liked the interior on.
Trans is great. Motor is the only downside, but I've heard that'll be 'fixed' soon enough with the new V6 motor that'll be out next year?
Trans is great. Motor is the only downside, but I've heard that'll be 'fixed' soon enough with the new V6 motor that'll be out next year?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,224
From: CNY
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
The first day I saw the Fusion, at our local car show, I told my g/f and brother; "that car is gonna be a hit. Mark my words".
I knew it from the first time I laid eyes on it. It has great proportion and line. It's beautiful in it's simplicity.
I knew it from the first time I laid eyes on it. It has great proportion and line. It's beautiful in it's simplicity.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 301
From: Alexandria, Louisiana
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
I have yet to see one on the road around here. However I'm seeing 500's all over the place. Shortages though might explain why I havnt seen a Fusion yet.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,870
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Originally Posted by Threxx
Trans is great. Motor is the only downside, but I've heard that'll be 'fixed' soon enough with the new V6 motor that'll be out next year?
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,646
From: Portland, OR
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Hmm...build a quality car with some minor yet dynamic styling elements that elevates it to 'noticable' or 'more than vanilla' and it sells better than average? Who'd thunk it?
Are you paying attention Impala and Malibu product managers?
I wonder if this will quicken the either delayed or cancelled next gen (Epsilon) Malibu?
Are you paying attention Impala and Malibu product managers?
I wonder if this will quicken the either delayed or cancelled next gen (Epsilon) Malibu?
Can't stand this one either
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Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 1,547
From: Panhandle of West Virginia
Re: Fusion selling better than expected
Ford will have the product lineup in the next few years to dig them out of the hole they have been in. The turnaround has started and more good things are sure to come.