Trader 10

No argument there, but how would a Explorer hybrid be 6 to 8 mpg more than the PIU hybrid?

I could see 1 to 2 mpg more, but no way 6-8 more. The vehicles aren't that much different.

I believe AWD is available only with the 2.0 EB so the SEL must be FWD only.

A next gen Fusion makes a lot more sense since it will generate better returns and wouldn’t be costly to develop as it would be essentially a larger Focus and use a lot of common parts with the ng Edge.

Why not? Anything other than a sedan will sell at much lower levels. There's no reason Ford can't design a new Fusion that would return at least what the Transit Connect or little pick-up will do. What's better - to fill out the plant capacity with a model that returns maybe 3 or 4% or leave the excess capacity unused making nothing? (Actually a negative return due to higher fixed costs the models being produced have to bear).

Thanks jpd for posting the sales numbers each month.

Great month for Fusion.

He's giving his expectation for the 2.3 RWD model as opposed to the 18/25 for the AWD version.

10-4.

If I remember correctly, fuel economy ratings are more stringent than they were in 2010. The 2010 ratings would probably be lower using the current criteria.

Also, what else will Ford build at Hermosillo since the models talked about will likely be far short of its capacity which is, what, about 325K annually?

Mach E will be an expensive vehicle - I doubt it will sell 50K if that. I'm with you on Scout but I'm wondering how many of those sales come at the expense of the Escape. I can't imagine TC anywhere close to that range - it sold in the 32 to 35K range the past couple of calendar years and the new pickup will surely steal a few sales from it. I don't think there's a market for 50,000 little trucks unless its priced dirt cheap and you know Ford won't do that. Just my guesses.

Probably since that those models totaled will likely use half or less of plant capacity.

Yep. Forgot about the EcoSport and Conti.

I believe that the 20 Fusion will be the only North American Ford with the 6 speed automatic as well as the 2.5 and 1.5 engines. I would think Ford could save money by eliminating these power plants and going to the 8 speed and 1.5 I-3 (with the 2.0 I-4 remaining available).

I suspect this goes to the reason that Ford apparently will produce the Fusion through at least the 2023 model - it can't find new products that will return better than the Fusion currently does. If Fusion continues to sell anywhere close to current volumes the next couple of years, I"m guessing Ford will bring a new Fusion to market by 23 or 24. Just conjecture on my part.

I guess it doesn't if you don't care about your dealers or factory efficiency (I suppose you can just close a factory or two).

My concern with the Explorer is that, as good a vehicle as it looks like it will be, sales will decrease due to the large price increase.

California is the 5th largest economy in the world due to its pushing green? Baloney! Oil has been a big factor in Propelling California to its current economic position.

2018 calendar year sales for TC were 32,000 and the little truck will be lucky to sell that much. No way those two models can keep a factory viable. I wonder if the 21 Fusion will get updated with new power trains since it looks like it would be the only model left using the 2.5 and 1.5 engines and the 6 speed auto.

This was rumored about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time, stories had the 4.8 replacing the 5.0 in the 2018 Mustang and F150. It was mentioned then that the new engine would have dual fuel injection. The 2018 5.0 did get the dual injection so I'm guessing the story is wrong now as it was then. With all the emphasis on the ecoboost V-6's and as good as the 5.0 already is, it doesn't seem likely Ford would go to the expecnse of designing a new small V-8.

Thanks.

They were also used a lot on the farm to haul grain (with side boards to increase capacity). They unloaded a lot easier with no wheelhouses to deal with.

Does any manufacturer make a turbocharged hybrid?

The 2.7 was the real star. It was quicker to 60 than the 3.5 in the stock trucks.