You may have to wait a while to get a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid
One of the highlights of the redesigned Ford Fusion that will debut in less than two weeks is the new hybrid model. The new Fusions, along with the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, will start production in December shortly after the LA Auto Show at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico assembly plant. In spite of that, it won't be readily available just yet. Unfortunately, it appears that people hoping to snap up one of the 38 mpg mid-sized sedans may have to wait awhile because there are too many of the current 2008 and 2009 models still sitting unsold on Ford dealer lots. Automotive News is reporting that the Hermosillo factory will go on a one month shutdown in January just weeks after starting production of the new models. That time will be used to sell down the old models. Dealers typically like to have a 60 day supply of cars on the lot, but there are currently 120 days worth of Fusions, 150 days of the Milan and enough of the MKZ to last 229 days. That all means we probably won't find Fusion and Milan hybrids for sale until about March.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike!!ekiM 6:27PM (11/07/2008)
In this volatile oil environment you'd have to be crazy Not to buy the hybrid.
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Nick 7:35PM (11/07/2008)
Crush the old ones like GM did with the EV1 ;)
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ziv 7:42PM (11/07/2008)
That article pretty much sums up why the Big 3 are in such dire straits. Ford is, possibly, going to restrict the production of excellent mileage cars that will be very popular, because its ok mileage cars aren't selling well enough. Only an MBA could come up with something this asinine, and have the gravitas not to be laughed out of the board room.
I hope that this article is wrong.
On the positive side, with gas prices so low for now, maybe the ok mileage Fusions will sell fast enough that the hybrid production pause will be very short. I rented a Fusion for a week this summer, damned nice car! Drove it from Denver to northern Montana, through the Cooke City pass, then back again. Both going up and down, the Fusion handled well enough and was powerful enough that the pass was just a joy to navigate. Mileage was pretty fair, about 29 mpg on the highway, and when I had to pass more than one car on the highway, the acceleration was strong enough that I was close to 95 mph by the time I got to the second car. Not bad for a compact to mid-sized Ford.
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gorr 8:44PM (11/07/2008)
Bring the boys in iraq and afganistan back, they will buy cars and go in vacations in vegas.
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Dave 2:06AM (11/08/2008)
With gas selling below $2.50 per gallon, this is a reasonable business decision.
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Mike!!ekiM 12:47PM (11/08/2008)
Gas prices are down because of a US and World Recession. That won't last forever. The speculator's are still un-regulated in the oil market. Wall Street Loves Volatility. They make money one the way up and Short it All The Way Down.
You have to be a Fool to buy a V8 or V6 these days.
Dave 1:03PM (11/08/2008)
I wouldnt buy a V6 or V8 either.
I drive a Miata.
I'd buy a Fusion with a 4 cylinder and a stickshift myself. It makes more financial sense than a far more expensive hybrid. Because it costs less to buy, finance, and insure as well as lower property tax. Insurance and property tax are quite high here in RI.
And with the credit market being extremely tight, there will be fewer who can get a loan for a $28,000 hybrid as opposed to a $18,000 stripper. (note - MSRPs wildly estimated)
Mike G 9:40AM (11/08/2008)
I don't think it's very reasonable. Why can't they sell the older models at a discount, and continue producing the new hybrid models which will undoubtedly sell at a higher price and help the company's image? I don't get it.
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oollyoumn 11:18AM (11/08/2008)
One thing I have not see yet on this hybrid is will it be flexfuel. I don't want to get into the corn ethanol argument, but there is so much development into different forms of alcohol, and it cost so little to make the fuel system flexible, that I would consider it unwise to not be ready for these fuels. It has been reported that butanol can be used in some gas engines without modification, but if a vehicle could run E100 to straight gas it should handle many of the future fuels that show good potential.
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Mike!!ekiM 12:50PM (11/08/2008)
Ethanol from corn is Insane. But bio-fuels from the right crop could still work. There is the question of the effect on the price of food.