CD Article: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[CD_Editor]

First Drive:


Ford will soon release its first hybrid sedan, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid.  Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh took a short drive and reports that it has a "genuine and well-earned shot" at its Japanese competitors.
 More: View the photos | All the First Drives

[quadzilla]

Even though I'm not a huge fan of hybrids but I will say, I like the looks of this and hope it sells well for Ford.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Let's hope the financing and lease rates aren't as reDONKulous as they were on their other hydrid efforts. 

Unless they have some market research that indicates that greenies have a net disposible income of X higher than the rest of us carbon-footprint 'oblivious' types. 

I like the old Fusion and the new Fusion and think Ford will be a survivor......

[MKII]

Ford Exec Admits Hybrid Battery Shortage
Published December 30, 2008
The new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid—the first mid-size sedan to break the 40-mpg mark in city driving—could become the hit that Ford so desperately needs. Unfortunately, Ford is already claiming that it can’t get enough hybrid batteries to meet potential demand.

In an online chat with employees last week, Ford Americas President Mark Fields said, “We are constrained by the amount of components, including batteries, that the supply base can provide us."

During the peak in gas prices in mid-2008, interested shoppers were unable to purchase Ford Escape Hybrids due to lack of inventory.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/ford-exec-admits-hybrid-battery-shortage-25380.html

Globe and Mail article -
Two Japanese home electronics giants plan to become one. Panasonic Corp. has said is plans to buy Sanyo Electric Co. by year end. The combined Panasonic-Sanyo would represent a powerhouse supplier for the battery technology in hybrid and electric vehicles. Panasonic-Sanyo would dominate the market for nickel-metal hydride batteries and possibly for next-generation lithium ion batteries, too.

Panasonic accounts for 83 per cent of the world's nickel-metal hydride batteries used in vehicles such as the Toyota Prius hybrid. By the early 2010s, it plans to make enough batteries for one million hybrids.

I mention the Prius because Toyota owns 60 per cent of Panasonic EV Energy Co., which is Panasonic's car battery arm. Toyota would enjoy an even more promising relationship with its battery supplier if and when Sanyo comes in house with Panasonic.

The obvious argument battery makers will offer is that they will sell to anyone, so don't worry. Sure they will. But surely they are more likely to sell their best stuff to the owners first (Toyota in this case for Panasonic) and if battery supplies are tight, surely the owners will get the bulk of whatever supply is available, too.

Auto makers without a locked- in battery partner might not be so thrilled with the Panasonic-Sanyo combination. Honda Motor Co., which next April will launch its new Insight hybrid, buys batteries from Sanyo. So does Ford Motor Co.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...tory/WBdriving/

[johngenx]

Best looking hybrid sedan on the market, by a large margin.  Also, nice to see a "domestic" wake up to high fuel economy.  GM's hybrids have been tepid attempts, at best.

  for Ford!

[stodge]

Ford's current lease rates are ridiculous across the board - at least they were the last I looked.

I like the new style - very solid looking and quite attractive. Have they addressed the poor rear visibility and wide turning circle?

[TopGun]

Looks and sounds like a great effort.

I'll eager to see the quality of the interior materials that Jill referred to...keep 'em coming Ford!

[safristi]

  IS are they as HIGH_BRED as MOI,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Wolverine]

This is a real improvement over the previous model. I'm really looking forward to see one of these as the new model arrives here in Brazil. Too bad we'll never see the Hybrid around.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Ford says Fusion hybrid batteries will be available if needed.

[safristi]

TGIF   thank gawd it's FUSION................

[dougjp]

C & D's February issue just received has a comparo with the Camry, Malibu and Altima, and the Ford wins. They agree with Jil, but go further - "The Verdict": " Ford hits one over the fence and into the ionosphere". 

[safristi]

..isn't THAT a NO NO............... ..i can hardly see a FUSION get ouuta DETROIT wiffout a Tonawanda Fire alert sticker.......................COLD FUSION..perhaps...........hack hack.....

[MKII]

Production Hold/Lead Times
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid models (u49 and u59) have limited availability. Lead time is 28-30 weeks
https://www.wheels.com/fleet/reference/assembly/html/assembly_lines.asp

Ford has said it will produce 25,000 Fusion/Milan Hybrids annually, same amount as Escape/Mariner.
Good read http://www.greenfuelsforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=655

[kenm]

Ford has said it will produce 25,000 Fusion/Milan Hybrids annually, same amount as Escape/Mariner.
Good read

Interesting article. It's sad that comprises in vehicle design have to be made in order to sell to buyers who don't want the appearance of a hybrid or just want the vehicle "to work", without making any attempt to understand the technology. Weight and aerodynamics have just as big an impact on fuel economy as the technology in the power-train. The 1st generation Honda Insight is still the most efficient gasoline powered automobile that has ever been sold in North America, and nearly 10 years have passed since it was introduced.

KenM

[carcrazy]

2010 Fusion Hybrid is starting to get recogniton from the auto press; it won the C&D mid-size hybrid comparison, ahead of Camry, Altima and Malibu.

[msantos]

... Weight and aerodynamics have just as big an impact on fuel economy as the technology in the power-train. The 1st generation Honda Insight is still the most efficient gasoline powered automobile that has ever been sold in North America, and nearly 10 years have passed since it was introduced.

Pretty much agree, but the fusion is supposed  to represent a significant improvement over what the Camry Hybrid and Altima provide.   The Malibu hybrid remains an exercise in absolute mediocrity both from an fuel economy perspective and even worse from an environmental performance. Too bad it has a hybrid badge.
 
I really hope the Ford Fusion Hybrid succeeds. Fords really deserves to succeed especially if this car competes well in price, technology and fuel efficiency with the TCH.

This article?  Pretty good actually!
But even though Jill had limited time with the car, I still expected a more thorough review with far more value for people who are more likely to be the customers for this car.  Typically these people know and research their stuff and there was almost nothing for them in this article.

MSantos

[safristi]

..Todays news sez ALL HYBRIDS DOWN big time.....................................even Prius -45%....seems like Obama's gonna mandate cars nobody wants to BUY.......... ....SUV's and TRUCK sales SURGE......................