Next Generation Fusion and MkZ to further separate the two brands

[ausrutherford]

Since their launch in the 2006 model year, the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MkZ, then the Zephyr, have been a tale of two cars. The Ford Fusion has been a huge success coming off the fleet queen last-generation Taurus, while the MkZ has had so-so sales. Ford hopes to change that with all-new models for the 2013 model year.

 

By now it is fairly well known that the next Ford Fusion will merge with the Ford Mondeo and have a worldwide presence in what will be Ford’s first truly global mid-size car. Ford engineers have taken the best parts of the current Fusion’s CD3 platform and the Mondeo’s EUCD platform, merging them for an improved single platform internally referred to as CD4.

 

FIN has been able to gather more inside information on these vehicles. The Fusion and Mondeo, now internally codenamed CD391, will go into a drastic new styling direction. People who have observed the car already have compared the new styling to that of Aston Martin. One small detail that has been discovered is that the Fusion will have LED fog lamps, much like the Taurus and Edge.

 

The major problem for the current MkZ, is that its styling is still based on the Fusion’s. Those hoping for that to end will be in luck as the Fusion and MkZ will share nothing in these terms. It is unclear at this point what the design will look like. The design of the 2013 MkZ, code-named CD533, had been finished, but is expected to be revamped under the direction of Lincoln's new design director. According to insiders Mulally wants this car to be the first vehicle under Max Wolff’s new design. It is not believed that this will delay the project.

 

In addition to the different styling, the new MkZ will also feature an exclusive Vista Roof, which the Fusion/Mondeo will not receive. MkZ will also see further technological differentiation from the Fusion. Also in the tech department, MyFord touch will be an option on the Fusion and Mondeo, while the MkZ will have MyLincoln Touch as standard equipment.

[NickF1011]

Finally have some product codes. Good sign. Also glad to see the Lincoln getting some unique appointments like the Vista roof. So far, so good. The first quarter of 2012 isn't that far off, folks.

[TomServo92]

I hope the 3.7 is the base engine. An EB3.5 as an option would be nice.

[PREMiERdrum]

In addition to the different styling, the new MkZ will also feature an exclusive Vista Roof, which the Fusion/Mondeo will not receive. MkZ will also see further technological differentiation from the Fusion. Also in the tech department, MyFord touch will be an option on the Fusion and Mondeo, while the MkZ will have MyLincoln Touch as standard equipment.

 

I hope by then they figure out how absolutely stupid it is to use the exact same naming scheme for both MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch. Memo to Ford: You're trying to make people forget that Lincolns are historically gussied-up Fords. Having identical (and identically named) technology from an 18k Focus to a 60k Lincoln won't work. Make the technology look different, feel different, and give it a better name.

[atvman]

Hopefully the MKZ takes the stage at New York. It's sounding more and more like 2013 will be a big year for Lincoln.

[NickF1011]

I hope by then they figure out how absolutely stupid it is to use the exact same naming scheme for both MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch. Memo to Ford: You're trying to make people forget that Lincolns are historically gussied-up Fords. Having identical (and identically named) technology from an 18k Focus to a 60k Lincoln won't work. Make the technology look different, feel different, and give it a better name.

 

Eh, I have no problem with the names being similar, other than both names are a mouthful. I do wish Lincoln would visually distinguish it though. Being it is all digitally-based, it should be a piece of cake. Why they didn't do it the first time around is somewhat puzzling.

[twintornados]

Production and sales of the two vehicles is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2012. At least six plants around the world will build the vehicles with the possible adding of another in North America to meet consumer demand.

<cough-cough> AAI anyone?

[Sherminator98]

<cough-cough> AAI anyone?

 

I seriously doubt it....

 

I think the one thing people are forgetting about is Oakville....the next Gen Edge and MKX will be more closely related to the Fusion/MKZ...and the other product being built there is the Flex and MKT, which aren't really taxing out the plants capaiticy...so it could be possible that the V6 powered Fusions (if there is one) and MKZ's could be built there since they would share the same powerplants as the Edge and MKX...leaving the I4 and Hybrid Fusions and MKZ to be built in Mexico. I'm sure they could get another 25-50K units that way without worrying about another plant opening.

[akirby]

Why they didn't do it the first time around is somewhat puzzling.

Not puzzling at all. They didn't even have enough time to get one version working right before launch. Plus I'm sure they're saving the good stuff for the new Lincolns.

[RichardJensen]

Eh, I have no problem with the names being similar, other than both names are a mouthful. I do wish Lincoln would visually distinguish it though. Being it is all digitally-based, it should be a piece of cake. Why they didn't do it the first time around is somewhat puzzling.

I dunno. Aside from going with more 'luxurious' colors (which they did, right?), I don't know that there's much to change. With the apparent effort that went into ease of use changing even the typeface or font size could compromise the user experience.....

[ausrutherford]

I seriously doubt it....

 

I think the one thing people are forgetting about is Oakville....the next Gen Edge and MKX will be more closely related to the Fusion/MKZ...and the other product being built there is the Flex and MKT, which aren't really taxing out the plants capaiticy...so it could be possible that the V6 powered Fusions (if there is one) and MKZ's could be built there since they would share the same powerplants as the Edge and MKX...leaving the I4 and Hybrid Fusions and MKZ to be built in Mexico. I'm sure they could get another 25-50K units that way without worrying about another plant opening.

 

Oakville still has D4 listed on future product plans. Unless that changes with the next UAW agreement.

 

Aren't they at 3 shifts already?

[NickF1011]

I dunno. Aside from going with more 'luxurious' colors (which they did, right?), I don't know that there's much to change. With the apparent effort that went into ease of use changing even the typeface or font size could compromise the user experience.....

 

The fact that the MKX and Edge use the exact same shapes for the instrument panel is what gets me more than the similarities in the touch screen. Change something, even if it's only for the sake of change. They didn't make any effort at all to make them look like they are different parts. Sitting behind the wheel of my Edge shouldn't feel like the exact same experience as it would be sitting behind the wheel of an MKX. :shrug: It's not a major thing, but it seems like an easy place for them to make a differentiation.

[Deanh]

Aston Martin...hmmm, the comeback of curves?.....Im intrigued....

[Sherminator98]

Oakville still has D4 listed on future product plans. Unless that changes with the next UAW agreement.

 

Aren't they at 3 shifts already?

 

Never said that they would get rid of the Flex or MKT...looking at sales trends:

 

2010 Year end numbers:

 

118K Edge

21K MKX

34K Flex

7.5K MKT

 

That would put Oakville at 180K units a year...not including sales increases...the MKZ sold 22K units last year and Ford stated something like 20-25% are hybrids...those would stay in Mexico..I dont' have numbers for the V6 Fusion, but the Fusion sold nearly 220K units...so maybe 20-50K are V6 units?

 

Going by this....3 shifts should be able to do 250K units no sweat. I don't see current cars built there selling more then 200K combined, leaving them with an extra 50K to build fusions/MKZ's there.... selling nearly 300K Fusions with little to no incentives would be a very nice thing..but adding another plant just to make Fusions would make no sense....they stated they rather sell out of every single car they make a month then make too many and lose money on them.

Edited April 4, 2011 by silvrsvt

[ausrutherford]

Never said that they would get rid of the Flex or MKT...looking at sales trends:

 

2010 Year end numbers:

 

118K Edge

21K MKX

34K Flex

7.5K MKT

 

That would put Oakville at 180K units a year...not including sales increases...the MKZ sold 22K units last year and Ford stated something like 20-25% are hybrids...those would stay in Mexico..I dont' have numbers for the V6 Fusion, but the Fusion sold nearly 220K units...so maybe 20-50K are V6 units?

 

Going by this....3 shifts should be able to do 250K units no sweat. I don't see current cars built there selling more then 200K combined, leaving them with an extra 50K to build fusions/MKZ's there.... selling nearly 300K Fusions with little to no incentives would be a very nice thing..but adding another plant just to make Fusions would make no sense....they stated they rather sell out of every single car they make a month then make too many and lose money on them.

 

One problem with those sales counts...those are only for the US. Edge itself, sold around another 15k in Canada alone. MkX sold around 7k in Canada.

 

That know does not include Brazil, Mexico, China(this year), and a host of other nations.

[Deanh]

Never said that they would get rid of the Flex or MKT...looking at sales trends:

 

2010 Year end numbers:

 

118K Edge

21K MKX

34K Flex

7.5K MKT

 

That would put Oakville at 180K units a year...not including sales increases...the MKZ sold 22K units last year and Ford stated something like 20-25% are hybrids...those would stay in Mexico..I dont' have numbers for the V6 Fusion, but the Fusion sold nearly 220K units...so maybe 20-50K are V6 units?

 

Going by this....3 shifts should be able to do 250K units no sweat. I don't see current cars built there selling more then 200K combined, leaving them with an extra 50K to build fusions/MKZ's there.... selling nearly 300K Fusions with little to no incentives would be a very nice thing..but adding another plant just to make Fusions would make no sense....they stated they rather sell out of every single car they make a month then make too many and lose money on them.

well theres something interesting...for all the bashing the Flex takes here and everywhere else, barring CALIFORNIA...its numbers bettered the MkX AND MkT COMBINED.....

[rkisler]

Oakville still has D4 listed on future product plans. Unless that changes with the next UAW agreement.

 

Aren't they at 3 shifts already?

 

My recollection (too lazy to look it up now) is that CAW was promised an all-new worldwide platfrom at Oakville as part of the St. Thomas closing.

 

I had assumed that that was CD4, at least for Edge/MKX. But I figured it also would be natural for sedan flex as mentioned by silvr. By the way, this was the original plan at the time of the CD3 platform initiation.

 

I also assumed that this would be the time Ford would make a decision on the continuation of Flex/MKT. Keep 'em? Cancel 'em? Move 'em to Chicago? I certainly haven't seen anything definitive on this; it's OK to keep them for now, but the key decision will come when the time comes to invest for major change. Not sure it'll be worth it..

Edited April 4, 2011 by Austin

[ausrutherford]

I should add that I bet the next Edge goes to Europe. Since there would not be enough sales to build it there, I bet they import it in from Canada. There is 30,000 sales there a year. Oakville needs to stay with what it has. I think AAI is the best bet.

[ausrutherford]

My recollection (too lazy to look it up now) is that CAW was promised an all-new worldwide platfrom at Oakville as part of the St. Thomas closing.

 

I had assumed that that was CD4, at least for Edge/MKX. But I figured it also would be natural for sedan flex as mentioned by silvr. By the way, this was the original plan at the time of the CD3 platform initiation.

 

I also assumed that this would be the time Ford would make a decision on the continuation of Flex/MKT. Keep 'em? Cancel 'em? Move 'em to Chicago? I certainly haven't seen anything definitive on this; it's OK to keep them for now, but the key decision will come when the time comes to invest for major change. Not sure it'll be worth it..

 

Chicago is already going to 3 shifts with what they have now, so theres no room left there anyway for the Flex and MkT.

[rkisler]

Chicago is already going to 3 shifts with what they have now, so theres no room left there anyway for the Flex and MkT.

 

They might be going to 3 shifts, but we won't really know if it's fully justified until we see 1) the success of the PI's, and 2) the ongoing running rate of the Explorer. Personally, of course, I hope they are full on three shifts.

 

I also don't believe the investment in a next-generation Flex and MKT will be justified, so I think the issue of where they go is mute.

 

Of course, AAI could be used if Mazda were to vacate or if Mustang were to go to another plant (it would need some friends). That plant has been split since the beginning, and the Ford side went from Mazda-derived Probes to CDW-based Cougar to RWD Mustang. So, however one wants to split the plant can pretty much be done, although I'm going to guess that size larger than a sedan might be a problem in the paint shop.

 

Ford did try to get Mazda to vacate AAI in the past (the AAI contract with Mazda has puts and calls for each party). At that point, Chris Theodore wanted to make a 4-door Mustang as Ford's CD entry and give up competing with Honda/Toyota/Nissan. It was a bad plan; thank goodness Mazda said "no" But of course Mazda is in a different place now.

[ds91776]

I really hope we get some sort of reveal at NYIAS. Lincoln needs to show something...and the rumored Lincoln MKZ teaser would be perfect. I also hope Ford shows something as well...perhaps a new concept or a refresh for the Expedition and Navigator? Their stockpile of 5.4V8s can't last forever...

[ausrutherford]

They might be going to 3 shifts, but we won't really know if it's fully justified until we see 1) the success of the PI's, and 2) the ongoing running rate of the Explorer. Personally, of course, I hope they are full on three shifts.

 

I also don't believe the investment in a next-generation Flex and MKT will be justified, so I think the issue of where they go is mute.

 

Of course, AAI could be used if Mazda were to vacate or if Mustang were to go to another plant (it would need some friends). That plant has been split since the beginning, and the Ford side went from Mazda-derived Probes to CDW-based Cougar to RWD Mustang. So, however one wants to split the plant can pretty much be done, although I'm going to guess that size larger than a sedan might be a problem in the paint shop.

 

Ford did try to get Mazda to vacate AAI in the past (the AAI contract with Mazda has puts and calls for each party). At that point, Chris Theodore wanted to make a 4-door Mustang as Ford's CD entry and give up competing with Honda/Toyota/Nissan. It was a bad plan; thank goodness Mazda said "no" But of course Mazda is in a different place now.

 

Well Ford is investing in the MkT with the Town car so I do see them living on.

[Sherminator98]

Another thing to throw out there....what about KCAP? The Escape is leaving and from what I understand that plant has two "sides" to it, where the F-150 is built and the Escape on the other. KCAP is closer to Mexico then AAI or Oakville, but I think the numbers that KCAP can do is overkill for a Fusion overflow plant, unless the Edge and MKX get moved there too..then that impacts Oakville too.

[Sherminator98]

Well Ford is investing in the MkT with the Town car so I do see them living on.

 

I can see them lasting for another 2 Generations (8-10 years or two refreshes) on the current platform since the Explorer also shares it also, but I see the Taurus moving to a wider/longer CD4 platform just to improve MPGs and kill the extra bulk that the D3/4 saddles it with.

 

Once a decision is made to move them to a new platform, I don't think they'll be continued...

[NickF1011]

Once a decision is made to move them to a new platform, I don't think they'll be continued...

 

Or they will all morph into something completely different.

 

Here's a scenario for you:

 

Ford launches new large RWD platform for possible next gen Taurus/MKS or vehicle slated above the MKS, Explorer and Lincoln SUV move to this platform. Flex becomes more mini-vanish. :shrug: It's a bit too far off to accurately guess on the final outcome I think. I think the next year or two will be very telling for Ford's long-term platform strategy.