Focus ST parts are in development, yes, we havent started anything on Fusion with the lack of availability of cars, but we are definitely looking to move in that direction.

 

Great News!!!

 

I really want to see a Fusion in Green Gem. One of my new favorite colors in the Ford lineup.

 

Love the Stang and the Fusion.

I had a Carrolla before...Hope it was driven off a cliff by now.

 

I was just at my Dealer for some things and they had a Fiesta 4 door, 5 speed in the showroom.. $13,999 before rebates. I was shocked! The Fusion, non Hybrid was $23,000. Retail... To me thats a very good price for these cars....

 

Saw a Fusion at the Ford dealer this weekend. Didn't look like a titanium but what do I know. To me it looks a little overdone if that makes sense. I'm not sure the people who buy Camrys and Accords will like this car style. It's very stylized. And to me the rear doesn't look as good as the front. Luckily I'll never have to buy a midsize sedan until I'm about 70 and even then I will resist.

 

I'd take an accord over a Camry any day of the week.

 

finally saw one of these in person. Must say, I think it looks even better in person. Gonna have to drive one to decide what my next vehicle will be. It's between a Focus 5 door or a new Fusion.

 

2013 Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost vs. 2013 Honda Accord EX, 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV, 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

 

Not surprised that C&D gave the Accord first. Between that and the BMW 3 series, those are their two "go-to" selections. I find the comments about the rear seat space intriguing. I didn't think the rear was cramped.

 

Wait, what were you doing in the back seat?!

 

Wouldn't you like to know...

 

yeah, I stopped paying attention to anything C&D has to say when it became apparent that the Accord and the 3 series would win any test they were in despite going up against better cars.

 

Same here. I stopped reading Car & Driver when they continued to have Honda Accord on the Top 10 list even when Accords had huge transmission issues (1998-2004).

 

Ford's troubled Belgian plant could be set for the axe

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/in...d-mondeo-plant

Fears are growing that Ford is about to announce the closure of its plant in Genk, Belgium. The company reportedly called ‘an emergency meeting’ with the unions earlier today, but neither party has so far commented on the situation.
Genk, which employs around 4300 people, builds the Ford Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy, which are all based on the same EUCD platform. Mondeo production has, however, collapsed to under 90,000 units per year from a high of around 300,000 at the turn of the century. With the move towards downsizing and a continued rise in premium brand sales, European Mondeo sales are unlikely to see a turnaround.
Ford is poised to launch a new ‘global’ Mondeo and suspicions were raised about the plant’s future when the production date for the European version was pushed back by six months to October 2013. The most likely scenario is that the new Mondeo will be sourced from another factory and Genk will be wound down as the S-Max and Galaxy reach the end of their lifespan.
Ford says it expects to lose around £620m in Europe this year and industry analysts say that one of the company’s main problems is that the company has under-utilised factories. One estimate claims Ford’s plants are running at an average of just 52 per cent of their potential maximum output.

 

Seems Ford's other European operations will go the same way as those that used to be in the UK...............Dagenham being a mere shadow of its former self, building just engines now when they used to build a whole range of cars back in the 60's a 70's.

I was recently watching a documentary on Dagenham and was stunned by one figure.......at one point in the 1970s, ONE IN EVERY THREE CARS SOLD IN THE UK WAS BUILT AT DAGENHAM!!!!!

What the heck has happened since then? Ironically, Ford cars have got better and better with every generation (OK, the mid 90's cars were dire, but they learnt their lesson).

I know we're in one of the worst recessions in recent history, but there are still plenty of new cars out there. But it seems the German brands still rule here, in the UK at least. VW, Audi, BMW.......all seem to be the default choice....when the equivilent Ford will offer more for less.

The new Mondeo/Fusion is such a good looking car, I wish it was being sold now. But I think it's time for a new name. They can't call it Fusion here, as that name was given to a bland "tall" version of the Fiesta.....and that bombed. Time for something new to get away from the "Mondeo-man" dull reputation.

From Wiki.....it seems the Mondeo is built:

Genk, Belgium
Vsevolozhsk, Russia
Chongqing, China
Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
Rayong, Thailand

I'm assuming Genk supplies all of Europe, so the rest will be sold locally to where they're built. If Genk dies, where then?

 

That must've been during British Leyland days ... No wonder they have failed ...

 

Ford confirms plan to close Genk factory

The Blue Oval intends to close Belgian production plant in 2014 as part of a major restructuring of its European manufacturing business.

Ford has revealed plans to close its production plant in Genk, Belgium. The move will cost about 4300 people their jobs.
The closure, which is subject to a consultation process with trade unions before it can be approved, is part of a proposed restructuring of Ford’s European manufacturing operations.
The European revamp has been prompted by manufacturing overcapacity stemming from a slump of more than 20 per cent in demand for new vehicles in Western Europe over the last five years.
Mondeo production has collapsed to under 90,000 units per year from a high of around 300,000 at the turn of the century. With the move towards downsizing and a continued rise in premium brand sales, European Mondeo sales are unlikely to see a turnaround.
Under the plan, vehicle production will cease at Genk by the end of 2014 and production of the next-generation Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy will switch to Ford’s Valencia Plant in Spain.
Production of the C-Max and Grand C-Max MPVs, which currently takes place at Valencia, could in turn move to Saarlouis in Germany.
"The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe and to return to profitable growth," said Ford of Europe boss Stephen Odell.
Ford will present more details of its restructuring plan tomorrow (Thursday). The company says it expects to lose around £620m in Europe this year and industry analysts say that one of the company’s main problems is that the company has under-utilised factories, something Ford admits is one of the factors behind Genk's proposed closure.
One estimate claims Ford’s plants are running at an average of just 52 per cent of their potential maximum output.

 

Well, it sad, particularly for those who will lose their jobs, but if it safeguards Ford of Europe's future, I guess its necessary.

 

Something had to be done, Ford's way overweight in Europe and the market there is in really poor shape thanks to Recession+Austerity. Sadly, closing Genk is part of the solution.