[Crash]

why don't we just give China that job market as well?? It starts w/ cars, expands to CUV's and then trucks.

Just. Stupid.

[swizzle]

Originally Posted by boston

How about importing from say China all the sedans it needs......

This would seem to make sense as a fall back, but NOOOOOO not Ford.

[swizzle]

Supposedly, the Fusion will continue on but will become an "outbacked" station wagon based on the CD4 platform of the current Fusion. It will be interesting to see if the Continental and MKZ are merged.

[mick78]

Originally Posted by swizzle

Supposedly, the Fusion will continue on but will become an "outbacked" station wagon based on the CD4 platform of the current Fusion.

Given that the Mondeo as wagon sells in figures larger enough in Europe to keep it around (and likely the sedan version will generate volume in China), giving it an "Active" treatment (after Fiesta and Focus already got it) is a no brainer, as letting the US participate in a model that could potentially sell over there as well.

How does the Buick Regal btw. do? and which version does better?

[swizzle]

Originally Posted by mick78

Given that the Mondeo as wagon sells in figures larger enough in Europe to keep it around (and likely the sedan version will generate volume in China), giving it an "Active" treatment (after Fiesta and Focus already got it) is a no brainer, as letting the US participate in a model that could potentially sell over there as well.

How does the Buick Regal btw. do? and which version does better?

Sales of the Regal are terrible. It will sell roughly 18,000 units a year here. I don't know which sells more, but I will say that I have never seen a Regal wagon on the road. I'd love a Fusion wagon, but I think that the Mondeo wagon would be a a disastrous seller because it's not crossovery (sic) enough.

I guess what I fail to see is how a Fusion "Outback" will sell 200K units a year--roughly the Fusion's volume--with the Escape, Edge, and Explorer all covering the span.

[mick78]

Originally Posted by swizzle

Sales of the Regal are terrible. It will sell roughly 18,000 units a year here. I don't know which sells more, but I will say that I have never seen a Regal wagon on the road. I'd love a Fusion wagon, but I think that the Mondeo wagon would be a a disastrous seller because it's not crossovery (sic) enough.

I guess what I fail to see is how a Fusion "Outback" will sell 200K units a year--roughly the Fusion's volume--with the Escape, Edge, and Explorer all covering the span.

Well Ford can easily raise the suspension of the Mondeo, just as everyone else does, and the Mondeo Wagon is already available with AWD in Europe, so it would be longer springs, larger wheels and a bit of cladding; Any "Cross Wagon" incl. the outback isn't done with a different magic formula than that...

Where I do agree however is the question of volume, given a cross wagon probably won't hardly cater any of the regular Fusion's fleet customers, volume can only be at a fraction of that car, as private customers already have a large choice of cross overs at their Ford dealership, as you also point out correctly...

I doubt it will be a volume seller at all, but given that it hardly involves any further R&D cost, they could at least cater a select few customers how want exactly that without much trouble...

[swizzle]

I think it would sell at a dismal trickle if anything.

Ford should keep the Fusion even if it dwindles to 100K units a year.

[IcedG35]

offer a 4 door coupe version of the mustang and make that your car lineup.

[boston]

Rumor has it that Ford will retain the Fusion name on an Outback type product.

That would be ok by me. They already have a Fusion Wagon elsewhere. Buick just added an outback style wagon as well.

[swizzle]

Originally Posted by boston

Rumor has it that Ford will retain the Fusion name on an Outback type product....

I wish I would have said that!