New York 2018: 2019 Ford Fusion Becomes Smarter: Comments

[William Maley]

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Ford will be using next week's New York Auto Show to show off an updated Fusion. The exterior gets the mildest of refreshes with slightly tweaked fascias, more color choices, and new wheel designs. But the big news deals with safety.

The 2019 Fusion will be the first Ford model to come with the company's Co-Pilot360 Protect suite of driver assistance technologies. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The suite will come standard on all Fusion models.

A new 9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is installed into the Fusion Energi plug-in, boosting electric-only range to 25 miles.

The rest of changes for the 2019 Fusion deal with simplifying the trim lineup and feature set.

• SE models will now come standard with the 1.5L EcoBoost four-cylinder, dual-zone climate control, 8-inch touchscreen with Sync3, and In-Car WiFi
• SEL replaces the SE Luxury Package
• Titanium adds more luxury features such as adaptive cruise control and heated steering wheel

The 2019 Fusion arrives at dealers this summer.

Source: Ford
Press Release is on Page 2

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Sleeker, Smarter 2019 Fusion Is First Ford With Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Driver-Assist Technology, Greater Plug-In Hybrid Range

• The new 2019 Fusion brings the debut of Ford Co-Pilot360™, the most advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies among full-line brands that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high-beam lighting
• 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine now standard on Fusion SE and higher trim levels, while new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid model is projected to have an EPA-estimated electric-only range of up to 25 miles – nearly 20 percent greater than the current model
• Fusion Titanium and Fusion Hybrid customers will get even more standard technologies, including adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and an advanced navigation system
• Updated Fusion styling for all models includes sleeker front and rear design, new wheels and fresh color palettes inside and out, while simplified lineup makes for easier ordering

DEARBORN, Mich., March 20, 2018 – Ford today announces the 2019 Fusion sedan – the first Ford vehicle globally with standard new state-of-the-art Co-Pilot360™ driver-assist technology, plus sleeker styling for all models and greater projected all-electric driving range for the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi.

The new Fusion, which makes its public debut at the New York Auto Show later this month, will be in showrooms by late summer – complete with new technology to make driving safer and easier.

“People tell us they are stressed with crowded roads and more distracted drivers and pedestrians. Our Ford Co-Pilot360 with standard automatic emergency braking and other technologies can help them drive more confidently so they can enjoy the journey,” said Corey Holter, Ford car group marketing manager. “For our green-minded customers, we’ve amped up our Fusion Energi with a projected increase of nearly 20 percent electric-only driving range.”

Ford Co-Pilot360 means more standard driver-assist technology, greater connectivity

Fusion launches Ford Co-Pilot360 for the company globally, standardizing driver-assist technologies both to improve the driving experience for customers and to make the ordering process easier and faster.

From the entry-level Fusion S to Fusion Energi Titanium, every 2019 Fusion features must-have Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect driver-assist technologies as standard equipment, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, a rear backup camera and auto high-beam lighting.

Automatic emergency braking helps reduce the severity of or potentially avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians who might accidentally cross in front of the car’s path.

Standard blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert for every Fusion uses radar to detect surrounding vehicles – providing alerts if vehicles are detected approaching unseen from either side. To help avoid lane drift, standard lane keeping system vibrates the steering wheel and can apply extra steering wheel torque to help keep the car centered in the lane.

Beyond standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect is a more advanced bundle of optional driver-assist technologies that makes driving even easier. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go, which automatically accelerates and brakes to a full stop when traffic halts, while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist includes voice-activated navigation and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. SYNC® 3 with 8-inch LCD touch screen is now standard for Fusion SE and above models, while voice-activated touch screen navigation with pinch-to-zoom capability, plus SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link is standard for Fusion Hybrid SEL, Fusion Titanium and Fusion V6 Sport.

Fusion SE and above models now include a standard embedded 4G LTE modem providing Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. Furthermore, SYNC 3 with the Ford+Alexa app offers access to Alexa skills, like adding items to a shopping list or playing music. New Waze compatibility will help drivers avoid troublesome traffic spots. Commands and functionality for Ford+Alexa and Waze may vary depending on smartphone and required software.

Fusion Energi’s electric range projected to gain nearly 20 percent

The new Fusion Energi is projected to offer an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 25 miles, which is nearly 20 percent greater than that of the current model. Ford engineers designed a new 9.0-kilowatt-hour air-cooled lithium-ion battery offering greater energy capacity with no change to the physical size of the battery pack.

Based on data generated by more than 23,000 MyFord® Mobile plug-in hybrid customers over several years, Ford estimates the 2019 Fusion Energi will potentially allow up to 80 percent of plug-in customers to drive their typical daily commute on electricity alone, with the support of both home and workplace charging, assuming the vehicle is fully charged daily at home and at work.

Even without workplace charging, Ford estimates approximately 48 percent of plug-in hybrid customers could potentially get to and from their jobs on electric power alone. This estimate is based on MyFordMobile data collected from more than 19 million unique trips from 23,000 Ford battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Simplified new lineup brings more features, more value than ever 

A simplified Ford Fusion lineup now includes even more technology and style for 2019: The new Fusion models include:

• Fusion S: Upgraded entry model now includes standard Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect, which combines automatic emergency braking with pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams and rain-sensing wipers
• Fusion SE, Fusion Hybrid SE: Adding to the equipment on Fusion S, gasoline-powered Fusion SE comes standard with 1.5-liter EcoBoost®, SYNC 3 with 8-inch LCD touch screen, SYNC Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control. Fusion Hybrid SE adds a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid engine with continouously variable transmission for smooth operation
• Fusion SEL, Fusion Hybrid SEL: Return of Fusion SEL replaces SE Luxury Package. It includes 10-way power driver’s seat with two memory settings, ActiveX seating surfaces, heated front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, intelligent access with remote start, leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED headlamps and warm interior accents. Hybrid model adds voice-activated touch screen navigation with pinch-to-zoom capability, plus SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
• Fusion Titanium, Fusion Hybrid Titanium: Fusion Titanium includes standard heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, rear inflatable seat belts, 19-inch wheels, navigation system, moonroof and adaptive cruise control with stop and go
• Fusion Energi Titanium: In addition to a near 20 percent projected increase in electric-only driving range, Fusion Energi now includes rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, voice-activated navigation, and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
• Fusion V6 Sport: With standard all-wheel drive and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, the 325-horsepower Fusion V6 Sport remains the most powerful car in its class

Still a head-turner

Fusion brings new front and rear styling including a new grille featuring a five-bar design finished in chrome on S, SE and SEL models and new chrome mesh on Titanium. This sleeker Fusion also features a new trunk lid panel, fog lamps and LED taillamps.

Two new wheel designs and fresh color palettes inside and out also debut for 2019. 

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[David]

Meh, I would pass on the smarter at this point and work on the Reliable please have no Recalls! 

[oldshurst442]

6 hours ago, dfelt said:

Meh, I would pass on the smarter at this point and work on the Reliable please have no Recalls! 

I wanted to say this....

But I did not know how to say it...without the post being a 2 book/part novel.

You kept it nice and short and To. The. Point.

Bra...vo!

[lengnert]

While recalls can be concerning, I would rather a manufacturer be proactive about it than not.

Understandably, the recent news on the Fusion recalls are not for "minor" issues.  However, they also are limited in their instances.  

What I would rather than "smarter" being the primary improvements is a focus more on keeping the Fusion around and keeping it as one of the more pleasing from a driving dynamics standpoint.  I would imagine sales these days are centered around gadgetry etc and we won't be driving cars soon enough as it is... but while we are still "tilling the wheel" I would hope we could enjoy the process more and more.

[ccap41]

I can't un-see that fog light area... 

The rest of it looks good. Good to see some updates before it may go away. 

Recalls have never bothered me. It's good to see they're proactive and addressing the issues and the injury rate on the 1.4 million vehicles has got to be somewhere in the <1% range so that stuff never really bothers me. 

Even the huge GM ignition situation.. the % of people hurt or dead are so low I still wouldn't have worried if I had a call on the list. 

[Suaviloquent]

I actually think this refresh fixes that problem with the 2017s that they looked wayyy to jelly bean when the 2013 when it came out had a bit more of an angular, teutonic look.

The biggest letdown is that the 6F soldiers on.

The 8F, Ford's version of the joint 9-speed is supposed to be able to be packaged into the D4, it's in the Nautilus.

But it's great that they've pared down the options and made a lot more content standard features. They had to, the Fusion can no longer command a price premium. Like Camcords and Altimatics. Hyundriers. and Kiawashers are killing this car.

The new 2018 Accord hybrid starts at $26,000.

Seriously, Ford just can't compete. They need a car that is ahead of their competitors product cycle, and thye just don't have that.

I feel bad for Ford's car group, they showed how a refresh of an also-ran could transform itself into the best car from an American company from 2009 till late 2011. This refresh changes nothing.

[Robert Hall]

Pretty light 2nd MCE...new front fascia, grille and lighting..  yawn.

[Drew Dowdell]

The Fusion styling has aged well and still looks handsome so a mild MCE is fine, but this might be a bit too mild.

Ditto about the transmission. 

[Suaviloquent]

I just feel that if Ford can't make money on this car even with building it in Mexico (and it only uses like 20-40% domestic content) and with so many parts sourced overseas...it serves them right to have this car fail.

The 2013 even wasn't a car that was outright a segment leader. Even then the all-new Accord was a better car in almost every way.

 

They'll never care to make their passenger sedans actually worth buying if they aren't willing to commit to a decades long process to gain back that market. And if there really is competitiveness issue due to foreign currency valuations, it still doesn't excuse them, because atleast the import brands use far more domestic content and engineer the cars in the US for the US. The Fusion is a long delayed car that was supposed to be the direct competitor to the last-gen Passat and Opel Insignia. For the U.S. it meant a car with a roofline too sleek, and for Europe it meant a car slightly too big and heavy.

There labour trouble in Belgium ruined the launch, and caused the car to be year late in Europe.

The reason why the 2020 redesign was canned was probably because Ford was going to do OneFord Fusion 2.0, which proved to be a compromised approach.

 

[Drew Dowdell]

32 minutes ago, Suaviloquent said:

I just feel that if Ford can't make money on this car even with building it in Mexico (and it only uses like 20-40% domestic content) and with so many parts sourced overseas...it serves them right to have this car fail.

The 2013 even wasn't a car that was outright a segment leader. Even then the all-new Accord was a better car in almost every way.

No, in 2013 it was really good.  Probably the best handling of the segment aside from the Mazda 6 which it shared a platform with and the Regal which was priced way higher.  

But that really isn't the point.  You point out that if Ford can't make money on it building it in Mexico they should fail... but it's worse than that.  They can't make money on it while also being the 3rd best selling vehicle in the segment.

So they're using cheap labor and selling enough of them to beat GM, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and VW.... but they can't make a profit on them.  That indicates a deeper issue in Ford's accounting department. 

[Robert Hall]

Anyone have any sales figures for the current-gen Mondeo (Fusion) in Europe?  Wonder how it is doing there.. I know it didn't come out until a year or two after the NA version...

Edited March 21, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[lengnert]

1 minute ago, Drew Dowdell said:

No, in 2013 it was really good.  Probably the best handling of the segment aside from the Mazda 6 which it shared a platform with and the Regal which was priced way higher.  

But that really isn't the point.  You point out that if Ford can't make money on it building it in Mexico they should fail... but it's worse than that.  They can't make money on it while also being the 3rd best selling vehicle in the segment.

So they're using cheap labor and selling enough of them to beat GM, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and VW.... but they can't make a profit on them.  That indicates a deeper issue in Ford's accounting department. 

Hard to say if the Fusion is profitable. It just may be a matter of it being profitable enough. Or, that if it may be stealing sales from other platform mates (the CUV's) that are more profitable?

[Drew Dowdell]

4 minutes ago, lengnert said:

Hard to say if the Fusion is profitable. It just may be a matter of it being profitable enough. Or, that if it may be stealing sales from other platform mates (the CUV's) that are more profitable?

They're thinking of canceling it without replacement.  The updates are certainly not going to be enough to topple the Accord or Camry..... but maybe that's the point. Ford knows they will never topple the two kings of the segment, so they only invest minimally in the car and stay satisfied with 3rd place. 

[lengnert]

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

They're thinking of canceling it without replacement.  The updates are certainly not going to be enough to topple the Accord or Camry..... but maybe that's the point. Ford knows they will never topple the two kings of the segment, so they only invest minimally in the car and stay satisfied with 3rd place. 

I was selling Fords when the original Fusion came out. Ford invested a lot to bring something out that would challenge the Camry and Accord for mid-size sedan sales supremacy.

I thought they really did a great job an subsequently has kept the product competitive. But, with the effort they have just maintained a 3rd (albeit a solid 3rd) place. It has mattered not that the Fusion had been better than the Camry in most every respect and the measure of the Accord as well.

I bought a Milan in that first year and still think that car (when I see one similar) looks as good as most of the new mids.

But, if they cancel the Fusion I will be sad to see it go. However, I will understand why.

[oldshurst442]

I will be sad to see it go too. 

No...I DO NOT understand the reasons...

Why the Fusion prolly makes no money...

Well...my wife's Fusion, built in June of 2013, so it missed the 1 or 2 recalls the Fusion had from the get-go, has had, I dont KNOW how many my wife's recalls has had. Honestly I dont remember how many. I could easily count them using my TWO hands for sure though. Plus there is one more I just got a week or so ago plus another one that I know is on the way...

That is too many recalls....recalls cost $$$. A lot of $$$.

Maybe if Ford was more careful in engineering it and launching it properly, it stick around much longer. 

Ford could have done many an interseting things with the Fusion. The Fusion Sport is but one tiny example...

Seeing that the Fusion also shares a platform with the Edge and Lincoln products...many many interesting things...and they probably be winners at the sales department...

Its a shame. 

Edited March 21, 2018 by oldshurst442

[A Horse With No Name]

Audios...which is kind of a shame.  Not really a Ford lover by any means but I had a good time with the Fusion Hybrid Rental I took to Nashville for five days. Actually was quite competent on the highway, especially when we hit some really nasty weather...the big silver Ford really impressed me for a bit.

That being said, I really could not see buying it over its competition.

[frogger]

Crazy to me that a global car that probably sells 400k a year won't be replaced with a near equivalent..

 

[Suaviloquent]

I still can't wrap my head around the that they are really considering letting the nameplate go.

It would be fine with them taking time to change the sedan formula. For one, a lot of the competition has now moved to the sloping roof-line look, which at worst eats into headroom, and at best just shrinks the greenhouse and impinges rear visibility. The Chrysler 200, regardless of its strengths had no success because there was no other option in the Chrysler lineup to turn a sale if someone didn't like the packaging.

They could come back with a more upright sedan and change the dynamic. There's a lot of sedan buyers that still want a straight forward sedan, more upright. Going against the grain is what Ford as a brand can actually pull off.

Where's the pride in FOMOCO? Why did they even make the GT then? EcoBoost branding makes no sense these days when your EcoBoost Fusion has worse mileage than a turbocharged Accord, like c'mon what is with this company!!

Hackett has no cars in his plan, and every car that is there is going to have to be really good at being autonomous and electric to make a difference. Every crossover utility in Ford's current lineup is based off a car platform.

[daves87rs]

I don't understand why this is even a big deal. Just a few changes before it heads to the big nameplate in the sky.

Sedans are dead. Even the old folks are moving on. Even Honda is figuring this out (finally) 

They are only going to move now with good lease deals for those looking for a kick around car for a few years, that's it.

So why waste the money.

Now you get for safety bang for your buck.......

Edited March 22, 2018 by daves87rs