AWD Fusion Set For October Launch

[Perian]

Source: Ford Motor Company

The 2007 Ford Fusion brings affordable all-wheel drive to the midsize sedan segment.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is gaining traction in North America. Ford expects sales of AWD vehicles to exceed 500,000 annually by 2007 , with 400,000 of those being car or crossover vehicles.

Ford established a solid footing in AWD vehicles with the launch of the Ford Five Hundred, the Ford Freestyle and the Mercury Montego in 2004. Earlier this year, the company announced that the 2007 Fusion, along with the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln MKZ, will offer AWD as an option this fall.

“It’s definitely going to broaden the appeal,” says Daniel Geist, Fusion Marketing manager. “Customers are looking for AWD technology, and it’s something that nobody else offers in the midsize sedan segment. It will be a tremendous value and should spike demand.”

Geist says about 40 percent of Fusion’s sales are conquest, several percentage points above what Ford initially expected. He anticipates the AWD option pushing that even further north, near 50 percent. The Fusion’s two biggest competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, don’t offer an AWD option.

“People will consider a Fusion with all-wheel-drive that probably wouldn’t have considered it before,” says Geist. “While they may not need the space offered by an SUV, they’re still looking for the confidence that all-wheel drive delivers.”

Unlike the four-wheel-drive systems found on many trucks and SUVs, Fusion’s all-wheel-drive system has been tuned with an emphasis toward performance while still offering confident, all-weather driving. By constantly monitoring and predicting traction, the system seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels, even before wheel slippage occurs. An active, on-demand coupler can deliver the precise amount of torque to the rear wheels up to 100 percent.

The AWD Fusion will be in Ford showrooms in mid-October. While pricing hasn’t been announced, Geist says the option will be similar to the Five Hundred’s, below $2,000.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Perian

Geist says about 40 percent of Fusion’s sales are conquest, several percentage points above what Ford initially expected. He anticipates the AWD option pushing that even further north, near 50 percent. The Fusion’s two biggest competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, don’t offer an AWD option.

That's fantastic!

Where are the GM entries in this field?

Let's hope the new Malibu offers AWD.

[jfnz24]

Originally Posted by Perian

That's fantastic!

Where are the GM entries in this field?

Let's hope the new Malibu offers AWD.

Yeah, or Ford will get all of the midsize AWD market.

[norway12]

^^Isn't the new Malibu still on Epsilon I? Then it probably will not offer AWD.

[mjd1001]

I don't personally see a need for an AWD version of a FWD car.

AWD is great when rear wheel drive is your choice. However, most FWD cars now have traction controll and some even have stability controll. A FWD car with anti-lock brakes and traction controll is perfectly fine for me in awful winter driving conditions.

I grew up and spend a decent ammount of time in the Buffalo NY and Syracuse NY area. I have driven RWD cars with traction controll, and in the worst snowy and icy conditions, they are OK but still I don't feel totally secure in them. FWD with traction controll works well for me though.

AWD adds weight (thus slightly reducing performance) and reduces fuel economy. I'm sure there is some demand for it in a car like the Fusion, I just don't think it's really needed for many people though.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I have driven RWD cars with traction controll, and in the worst snowy and icy conditions, they are OK but still I don't feel totally secure in them. FWD with traction controll works well for me though.

I agree with you 100%.

However, that marketplace has spoken. They want AWD.

Why else would people buy Subaru's?

[XCR440SP]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I don't personally see a need for an AWD version of a FWD car.

AWD is great when rear wheel drive is your choice. However, most FWD cars now have traction controll and some even have stability controll. A FWD car with anti-lock brakes and traction controll is perfectly fine for me in awful winter driving conditions.

I grew up and spend a decent ammount of time in the Buffalo NY and Syracuse NY area. I have driven RWD cars with traction controll, and in the worst snowy and icy conditions, they are OK but still I don't feel totally secure in them. FWD with traction controll works well for me though.

AWD adds weight (thus slightly reducing performance) and reduces fuel economy. I'm sure there is some demand for it in a car like the Fusion, I just don't think it's really needed for many people though.

Several reasons. 1st is performance, Front wheel drive and Powerfull engines just don't work well togeather. There have been huge improvements in controlling torque steer, but it still isn't the same as a RWD. With AWD you can do what you need (see MazdaSpeed 6).

2. Look for large conquest sales for Ford by offering AWD. They won't be conquesing from other sedan buyers, but from former SUV owners that want better mileage, but don't want to give up the 4x4. Even if the AWD Fusion gives up a couple MPG, it will still be a huge improvement over an Explorer or Trailblazer.

[MNdudeswitz]

How is this in Industry News? This is Ford specific and needs to be in the Competition Forum

[nadepalma]

If Ford were serious about making the Zephyr/MkZ stand out in the crowd -- and if they were serious about distinguishing it from the Milan and Fusion stablemates -- then next year they should make the MkZ come standard with AWD. It would only help to better distinguish the MkZ and help Ford offer something different in a segment that already has FWD entry-level veterans like the ES350 and Acura TL.

Just my opinion of course.

[XCR440SP]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

If Ford were serious about making the Zephyr/MkZ stand out in the crowd -- and if they were serious about distinguishing it from the Milan and Fusion stablemates -- then next year they should make the MkZ come standard with AWD. It would only help to better distinguish the MkZ and help Ford offer something different in a segment that already has FWD entry-level veterans like the ES350 and Acura TL.

Just my opinion of course.

I agree, AWD should be standard, but with Front wheel drive an option (no charge or small discount). This would give the ability to advertise it, but still offer front wheel drive to those that don't want AWD.

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I don't personally see a need for an AWD version of a FWD car.

AWD is great when rear wheel drive is your choice. However, most FWD cars now have traction controll and some even have stability controll. A FWD car with anti-lock brakes and traction controll is perfectly fine for me in awful winter driving conditions.

I grew up and spend a decent ammount of time in the Buffalo NY and Syracuse NY area. I have driven RWD cars with traction controll, and in the worst snowy and icy conditions, they are OK but still I don't feel totally secure in them. FWD with traction controll works well for me though.

AWD adds weight (thus slightly reducing performance) and reduces fuel economy. I'm sure there is some demand for it in a car like the Fusion, I just don't think it's really needed for many people though.

You are correct.....most people would never need it. Having said that, I'd probably be sucker enough to buy one. If you have a job in which staying home is not an option, AWD has saved me more than once when FWD might not have made it. Right now I'm in San Diego and honestly don't know why I see so much 4WD/AWD. I have a FWD Freestyle and an AWD Saturn VUE as we anticipate moving back to the northern climate soon. However, I'd consider an AWD Zephyr as a replacement for my VUE in a few years if GM had no AWD sedan's. Even better would be an AWD station wagon similar to the BMW's or Subies.

[CountryME]

Originally Posted by Perian

Source: Ford Motor Company

The Fusion’s two biggest competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, don’t offer an AWD option.

Does anyone recall Toyota buying stock in Subaru? Just a prediction, but if this does well, I would expect to see a Camry version with Subaru AWD.

[mkaresh]

Ford seems to have forgotten that Subaru and Mazda exist, or doesn't count the Legacy and MS6 as mid-sized.

AWD is most useful for gaining traction (i.e. not getting stuck) in moderately deep snow, and for putting a lot of power to the pavement. The Fusion doesn't current have problem #2.

I live in Michigan, and recently moved to an area where the roads aren't paved promptly. So I briefly hunted around for a cheap used AWD as a back-up--perhaps and Aztek or GM minivan.

Ended up putting winter tires on my car for the first time. Worked like a champ. AWD with winter tires would be even better, but FWD with winter tires is about equal to AWD without them.

Of course, your average consumer doesn't realize how much of a difference tires make. I often get emails from people complaining about the rain or snow handling of their car. They think they need a new car. Nearly every time all they need are better tires.

[kenman923]

Let's see how the AWD works. That will really make the Fusion a force to be reckoned with.

[kenman923]

Originally Posted by norway12

^^Isn't the new Malibu still on Epsilon I? Then it probably will not offer AWD.

The Malibu is on Epsilon I and will only be offered with FWD. Epsilon II, on the other hand, is supposed to be configured for AWD.