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ReprintsKuzak: Redone Fords must have best fuel economy
Amy Wilson
Automotive News
July 21, 2008 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT — When the restyled 2010 Ford Fusion goes on sale early next year, Ford Motor Co. product developers expect the mid-sized sedan to lead its segment in fuel economy. The restyled Fusion gets a new powertrain combination: Ford's 2.5-liter four-cylinder combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford is adjusting other elements in new product programs, such as aerodynamics and rolling resistance, to drive fuel economy higher. It's all part of a mandate by Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak: When the company significantly changes a vehicle and updates its powertrain, fuel economy must be best in class. "When we have new powertrains in a new vehicle, why would we have an expectation of anything less than being equal to or better than anything the competition is offering?" Kuzak told Automotive News. Ford used the same approach developing the 2009 Ford Escape. The updated Escape, which went on sale this summer, has a fuel economy rating of 20/28 mpg for its four-cylinder/automatic transmission version. Kuzak called that class-leading among small crossovers. The 2009 Escape was the first Ford to get the 2.5-liter/six-speed automatic combo. The Fusion will add it when the 2010 model debuts in December. Kuzak declined to share expected mpg for the 2010 Fusion. Fuel economy on the 2009 Fusion is 20/29 mpg with a 2.3-liter/five-speed manual and 20/28 mpg with a 2.3-liter/five-speed automatic. That puts the current Fusion behind several mid-sized competitors including the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. |
You can reach Amy Wilson at awilson@crain.com.
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