Autonews.com Fusion wagon? In Europe, yes, but not here

[Biker16]

Fusion wagon? In Europe, yes, but not here

 

A reader wrote us a hopeful note last week, saying he recently had spotted what appeared to be a station wagon version of the 2013 Ford Fusion being driven in suburban Detroit.

He wondered whether Ford would sell a wagon version of the Fusion in America.

 

The answer is a firm "No."

 

What the reader probably saw was a prototype of the Mondeo, the European version of the Fusion. Under CEO Alan Mulally's One Ford global product development system, much of the development work on the Mondeo and the Fusion has taken place on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The Fusion goes on sale this summer, and the Mondeo goes on sale in Europe later.

 

U.S. buyers will get only one Fusion body style: a four-door sedan. European customers will have a choice of three Mondeo body styles: sedan, station wagon and five-door hatchback.

Ford believes that U.S. customers who want more flexible storage space will choose one of its crossovers -- such as the Escape, Edge or Explorer -- or a smaller car, such as a Focus

hatchback.

 

 

But for buyers who prefer a carlike driving orientation without sacrificing cargo-carrying capacity or fuel economy, a hatchback or wagon is a better option than a higher-riding, bulkier and thirstier crossover or SUV.

When it comes to body styles, Ford's "power of choice" has its limits.

 

Edited April 24, 2012 by RichardJensen

[BORG]

http://www.autonews....sukGRmNa]Fusion wagon? In Europe, yes, but not here[/url]

 

 

 

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Unless you look at a crossovers like the C-Max. Or the fact that even wagon aficionados like Subaru and Volvo have vacated the segment in the US because of staggeringly low interest. Sure, Ford makes lots of things around the world it doesn't sell here, just like everybody else.

 

Another Auto Journalist very good at repeating ancient dogma and ignoring the real-world.

 

"Gee, you mean Ford makes something we don't have and I would like? How stupid are they for not selling it here, I mean they made it already for the other people and it's better than anything they make for us because of X,Y, & Z. They really are dummies aren't they?!"

Edited April 24, 2012 by BORG

[RichardJensen]

More like:

 

 

 

"Ford isn't selling something here, and complaining about stuff makes me sound smart, therefore........."

[2005Explorer]

Good to hear they are not bringing it over. It's not worth their time or effort. Now why are we still discussing this? It's not going to happen.

[BORG]

Good to hear they are not bringing it over. It's not worth their time or effort. Now why are we still discussing this? It's not going to happen.

 

Because we are all Sheeple for following the anti-wagon movement and we need to see the error in our ways and lay down our "bulky/thirsty/non-sporty" Crossovers and SUVs for the new-fangled form factor called 'the wagon'.

[RichardJensen]

Wrong!

 

You should be living in a 'walkable' city, and taking public transportation everywhere, and if you're not doing these things, well, I'm sorry but in some small way, you're a horrible person.

[Edstock]

Wrong!

 

You should be living in a 'walkable' city, and taking public transportation everywhere, and if you're not doing these things, well, I'm sorry but in some small way, you're a horrible person.

 

Gee, seems I must be a horrible person too, but according to my ex, it wasn't in "some small way". Thank God and Greyhound.

[GTwannabe]

Because we are all Sheeple for following the anti-wagon movement and we need to see the error in our ways and lay down our "bulky/thirsty/non-sporty" Crossovers and SUVs for the new-fangled form factor called 'the wagon'.

 

Call it a "Crossover Utility Vehicle" instead of "wagon" and it will fly off the lots.

[Biker16]

for the record I don't the article is Right.

 

the point is that someone went through the trouble of asking an editor of Automotive news about a potential Ford product.

 

Only to be told F'U buy a CUV or a Focus. nevermind that the CUV is far more expensive, thristy, and less fun to drive than a Wagon.

 

The comments about the article are enlightening, becuase the IDEA that the maker is Tell the customer to buy something else, when that customer was geniunely excited about that product that he or she wants. How arrogant is that? This is not something a customer focused company should say to it customers.

[Biker16]

Ford may not use C1 in North America

 

New platform for rest of world costs too much for price-leader Focus in the USA

 

Automotive News -- September 8, 2003

 

Ford will not use the new global C1 lower-medium car platform for the North American Focus until at least 2007.

 

While Europe and the rest of the world will get a redesigned C1-based Focus next year, North America may never get the vehicle, executives have confirmed.

It is a reversal of previous plans. Ford executives had earlier said the North American Focus would shift to the C1 platform. The C1 will be the basis of the 2004 Focus in Europe, plus several other Ford, Mazda and Volvo models.

The decision means the American-market Focus, which is based on the C170 platform, will be eight years old in a competitive segment where five-year cycles are normal and four-year cycles sometimes are used. Cost appears to be a major reason for the decision.

Chris Theodore, Ford's vice president of advanced product creation, said Ford North America needs to pay for the development costs of the current Focus before it can look to adopt the new platform.

"We have to amortize and make money on our original investment," Theodore said.

A timing issue

 

But Theodore denies that the decision signals a change in Ford's platform-sharing strategy.

"Ford is not backing away from globalization of its platforms," Theodore said. "This is just a timing issue. We will continue to march toward platform consolidation. We will see unique models coming from those platforms."

But a decision to switch to C1 for North America has not been made, he says.

"C1 is the obvious candidate, but it is not the only one. We don't want to make our decision too soon," Theodore said.

Part of the decision involves the timing of Ford's introductions. The Europe-market Focus has run a full five-year cycle and is due for a redesign, while the North American market did not get its version of the Focus until the 2000 model year.

"It was never an option to short-cycle the C170," said Nick Scheele, Ford Motor president. "We are sticking with the C170, which is doing quite well. Why change it?"

Platform sharing

 

But Ford has been trumpeting the benefits of sharing engineering and supplier resources in developing the C1 platform with Mazda and Volvo.

More than a dozen vehicles are expected to be derived from the C1 platform, such as Ford Focus convertibles, Mazda3 hatchbacks, Volvo S40 sedans and Land Rover Freelander sport wagons.

The first vehicle off the new platform, the five-seat Focus C-Max small minivan, goes on sale in Europe this month.

The other European Focus variants will be added in April.

The Mazda Protege was redesigned for the 1999 model year and is on schedule to be replaced in December by the Mazda3.

In the meantime, Ford North America will continue to use the old C170 platform, although interim changes will be made. Ford launched a PZEV-emissions version of the Focus in the spring, with a new 2.3-liter I-4 engine. A re-engineered and restyled US-market Focus will debut in April for the 2005 model year. A performance version of the sedan also will be added then.

Perhaps the new C1 platform priced itself out of North America's budget car segment.

In Europe, the Focus is in a segment with vehicles that hold a price premium, and people value its performance-in-a-small-package character. But in North America, the compact segment is more price-sensitive. Chevrolet, for instance, has offered rebates of $4,000 (E3,700) on the Cavalier, while Ford has kept Focus rebates to about $2,000. Focus sales through July are flat compared with last year.

"The Focus here is different than in Europe," Scheele said. "In Europe, it is about family, handling and performance. In America, it's an entry-level vehicle. So what I would do for one product, I might not do for another. They need to reflect a different marketplace."

Using a platform with higher variable costs would require a higher vehicle price and could mean lower sales for the Focus. That could hinder Ford's ability to meet corporate average fuel economy standards because the Focus is a big contributor to the automaker meeting the standards.

Ford has battled quality trouble with the US Focus. In contrast, the Europe-market Focus has been touted for its high quality in both J.D. Power ratings and in German consumer magazine ratings.

The Focus C-Max is the first vehicle off the new platform.

Contact Automotive News

Read more: http://www.autonews....9#ixzz1sy8laJmS

 

 

how things have changed

Edited April 24, 2012 by Biker16

[Biker16]

The basics: The 2008 Focus is re-engineered and restyled. Ford has trimmed the number of available body styles to two. The Focus is available in a coupe for the first time, replacing two hatchback models that have been scrapped. Production of a wagon version ended in December.

Ford executives expect the sedan to account for about 80 percent of Focus sales. The company says it now builds 75 percent sedans. Before Ford dropped the Focus wagon, the mix was about 65 percent sedans, 25 percent hatchbacks and 10 percent wagons.

 

Read more:

http://www.autonews....1#ixzz1syAXDcDP

 

 

 

The 2012 focus is doing 45% hatch and 55% sedan.

 

The market has changed, the buyer has changed, there is an opportunity to sell wagons in this market today.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Biker16

[aneekr]

for the record I don't the article is Right.

 

the point is that someone went through the trouble of asking an editor of Automotive news about a potential Ford product.

 

Only to be told F'U buy a CUV or a Focus. nevermind that the CUV is far more expensive, thristy, and less fun to drive than a Wagon.

 

The comments about the article are enlightening, becuase the IDEA that the maker is Tell the customer to buy something else, when that customer was geniunely excited about that product that he or she wants. How arrogant is that? This is not something a customer focused company should say to it customers.

Indeed. The situation is unfortunate, but not unexpected.

[RichardJensen]

Not every customer can be satisfied at a profit.

 

This isn't delivering eBooks over the internet.

[calypsocoral]

For what it's worth, I'd buy it if they sold it (likely in base 2.5L guise, given my finances, but I'd still buy it) here, but I realize I am very much in the minority.

 

All us wagon guys can do is spread the word and hope that the American car-buying culture changes.

 

It sucks, but it is what it is.

 

I hate "crossovers"... if I could, I'd blow them up for a living.

[Sherminator98]

how things have changed

 

How?

 

"Ford is not backing away from globalization of its platforms," Theodore said. "This is just a timing issue. We will continue to march toward platform consolidation. We will see unique models coming from those platforms."

But a decision to switch to C1 for North America has not been made, he says.

"C1 is the obvious candidate, but it is not the only one. We don't want to make our decision too soon," Theodore said.

Part of the decision involves the timing of Ford's introductions. The Europe-market Focus has run a full five-year cycle and is due for a redesign, while the North American market did not get its version of the Focus until the 2000 model year.

"It was never an option to short-cycle the C170," said Nick Scheele, Ford Motor president. "We are sticking with the C170, which is doing quite well. Why change it?"

 

Given what was going on at the time with Ford at the time (losing money, horrible launch of the C170 and resulting quality issues), introducing the common Focus this past year was the best course of action for them.

 

It wasn't like they could flip a switch and instantly change things...they are getting better at it and things should be better and faster as time goes on.

Edited April 24, 2012 by silvrsvt

[Biker16]

Not every customer can be satisfied at a profit.

 

This isn't delivering eBooks over the internet.

 

you are under the impression that it cannot be sold at a profit.

 

these arguments are the same arguments used against selling hatchbacks.

[Biker16]

How?

 

Ford made the decsion to market a comptitve product and cater to the highest common denominator not the lowest.

 

Given what was going on at the time with Ford at the time (losing money, horrible launch of the C170 and resulting quality issues), introducing the common Focus this past year was the best course of action for them.

 

It wasn't like they could flip a switch and instantly change things...they are getting better at it and things should be better and faster as time goes on.

 

There were descions made in the name of cost that were not in the best interest of the company. they just dug the hol even deeper.

[2005Explorer]

The 2012 focus is doing 45% hatch and 55% sedan.

 

The market has changed, the buyer has changed, there is an opportunity to sell wagons in this market today.

 

Yeah station wagons... what a HOT market. I can't believe Ford isn't going full force ahead on wagons. Seriously if you so in need of a station wagon you will have to go with another brand. There are very few out there so good luck. CUVs and SUVs is where it is at these days. Wagons aren't worth the time in North America.

[Sherminator98]

Ford made the decsion to market a comptitve product and cater to the highest common denominator not the lowest.

 

There were descions made in the name of cost that were not in the best interest of the company. they just dug the hol even deeper.

 

Seriously, did you even read what I said??!?! Ford couldn't afford (nor had the proper leadership) to what YOU wanted them to do at the time...I don't see how the 2008 Focus ruined the car (yeah it looked like ass IMO, but sold ok and at a profit presumably) and it was just a patch to get to the current car we have now.

 

What happened between 2000-2008 couldn't be changed overnight like YOU wanted them to be changed....thats the point I was making. There was no way in hell the C2 Focus was coming over here between 2003 and now after fiasco that happened with the C170...so why are you crying over spilled milk?

[Biker16]

Yeah station wagons... what a HOT market. I can't believe Ford isn't going full force ahead on wagons. Seriously if you so in need of a station wagon you will have to go with another brand. There are very few out there so good luck. CUVs and SUVs is where it is at these days. Wagons aren't worth the time in North America.

 

it is that simple.

 

be where its hot and not where it's cold.

 

ok.

[RichardJensen]

they just dug the hol even deeper.

Wrong. Again.

[RichardJensen]

you are under the impression that it cannot be sold at a profit.

Ford is under the impression that it cannot be sold at a profit.

 

And unlike you, they've got a track record of success in this industry.

[Biker16]

Ford is under the impression that it cannot be sold at a profit.

 

 

They told you this? when I need names, richard. you can't just say that you know something to be a fact when you don't

 

And unlike you, they've got a track record of success in this industry.

 

that is a very short track record richard, considering they have unprofiftable 4 outof the last 11 years. before 2011's 20 billion in profits for lost 15 billion dollars in the 10 year before. i.e. they have only made 5.2 billion dollars in the last 11 years while toyota took in a 85 billion dolllars over the same period.

 

Ford 4.99 billion < Toyota's 85 billion

 

Ford Toyota

year profit/(loss) in billions

2000 $3.47 $3.30

2001 $(5.45) $3.80

2002 $1.98 $4.18

2003 $0.23 $6.25

2004 $3.49 $11.00

2005 $1.77 $10.90

2006 $(12.60) $11.70

2007 $(2.70) $13.90

2008 $(14.70) $17.10

2009 $2.70 $(4.24)

2010 $6.60 $2.24

2011 $20.20 $4.93

 

$4.99 $85.05

 

 

Ford should not get to comfortable, I'd like to see them behave like a company that has lost 15 billion in the last 10years and not like a company that has earned 20 billion in 2011.

chasing customers that toyota won't, blitzing the QB not playing prevent defense.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Biker16

[Edstock]

Must be all those Toyota wagons . . .

[Biker16]

Must be all those Toyota wagons . . .

 

no lexus.