Ford Fusion Gains Class Leading EPA Edge

I’m feeling good about the direction that the Ford Motor Company is taking.

First, the automaker refused a government bail out although the company did support rival GM and Chrysler and their requests for assistance.

Second, I admired that Ford approached Washington with a request for a line of credit, but when their request was turned down by Congress, they simply walked (or drove) away.

Third, the product mix that the company now has in place and what they have coming in 2010 gives me reason to believe that of the three American automakers, Ford has the best chance to survive. That doesn’t mean that Ford doesn’t have huge problems (e.g., the automaker is mortgaged to the hilt, the unions hold sway, and the global economy is still a big problem) but if anyone has a chance to make a go of it, I expect Ford will find a way to prevail.

Lastly, Ford’s 2010 Fusion is likely to be a game changer, not so much for its new style but for what kind of car it will be. We already know that the Fusion Hybrid has been given class leading fuel economy of 41 mpg city by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — 36 mpg highway — but we now have learned that the standard four cylinder engine will be a champion too.

Late last week, Ford learned that the EPA has projected that the 2010 Ford Fusion with its 2.5L DURATEC four cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission will get 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The latter mileage number puts it one mpg ahead of the Chevrolet Malibu, but as much as three mpg ahead of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The differences may not sound significant but they are worth noting. After all, many smaller cars with four or five speed transmissions cannot match the Fusion, an edge that should help the automaker solidify its position in the midsize car market.

Ford announced a month or so ago that it was developing a four cylinder EcoBoost engine that is to be made available for the Fusion in 2010. That engine produces power equal to a six cylinder while delivering four cylinder fuel economy. Likely, this will become a preferred engine option for the customer who wants more power while maintaining decent fuel numbers.

With the Ford Mustang being released this Spring, new Fusions, Milans and MKZs also showing up soon thereafter and with the Ford Taurus getting overhauled this summer and with the Lincoln MKT being released about the same time, Ford is on a roll.

Will the automaker be able to keep the momentum going? I hope so. Americans want the auto industry to succeed, but they also want some class leading products coming from Detroit.

The 2010 Ford Fusion is a class act, one worthy of your consideration if you’re looking for a midsize sedan.

Source: Ford Motor Company