Can the Ford Fusion Hybrid Succeed Without Being Ugly or Futuristic?

realitycheck
Jan 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm

I remember as a kid that Japan was always coping or trying to make things after we America made it, now the tables are turned and all the Big Three can do is try and catch up.

Charles
Jan 3, 2009 at 8:58 am

What do I think?

I think the Prius outsells the Honda Civic Hybrid, because the Prius is a better economy car. The Prius is rated 8 MPG better in the city and the same on the highway. The Prius has 5.5% more passenger volume, 60% more luggage volume and the back seat folds down. All the people who think the Prius outsells all other hybrids because it looks scream “I am green” are wrong. The Prius is the best economy car on the market and those who can afford it and care about the environment come to the same conclusion.

The Civic Hybrid is a fine car, and if the Prius did not exist I am sure it would be getting Prius like sales numbers. As for the Ford Fusion Hybrid, if you need a full size car, it looks like the way to go. The Fusion’s MPG advantage over the Camry and Altima Hybrids is about the same or better then the Prius’ advantage over the Civic Hybrid. In fact the Fusion beats the Civic Hybrid in city MPG. According to many sources the current Fusion is on par with the Camry and Accord in terms of quality. It will be interesting to see if Ford can get over the perceived quality question.

rick bradner
Dec 31, 2008 at 5:21 pm

Say Sim,
you got my name, I’m in the book,give me a call when you’ve got some time…

Sim
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Hey rick your in van too? sweet,but yeah I actually think its more than half that are hybrids now.

rick bradner
Dec 31, 2008 at 12:26 pm

IF they keep the price within reason, and that’s a big if, they should sell all they caan build.

I don’t know about where everyone else lives, but here in Vancouver, probably a quarter of all the cabs are Priuses because of fuel costs. A Hybrid Fusion with it’s extra size will be VERY popular with the cabbies.
New York and S.F. are going the same way.
Ca-ching!

cknarf
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:58 am

Sure, my firebirds a piece-o-shit, and my bug’s a rotten shell that was once an automobile, AND I’m driving a beat up Camry, but I love ‘em all anyways! I’m proud of my junk!

Reuben Gathright
Dec 31, 2008 at 8:54 am

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a start on the road to energy independence. Building a plug in version will spur growth in our nation’s renewable power industries as well.

We should all do our part to save the enviroment and encourage the growth of the solar and wind power industries. Cordless electric lawn mowers go a long ways towards these goals. I recently purchased the Black & Decker Cordless Electric Lawnmower the CMM1200. In the review I describe how to upgrade the mower to mow over 9,000 SQFT! I hope my review will help you make a decision about our future.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Black_Decker_19_In_24_Volt_Cordless_Mulching_Mower/content_445899312772

asd
Dec 31, 2008 at 3:40 am

Nice

GTwildfire
Dec 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm

Cubie you’re sounding like a jackass. knock it off.

cubie
Dec 30, 2008 at 1:56 pm

LoL,cknarf- the dignity you had was long gone with the junk you like to call your cars.

cknarf
Dec 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm

Fusion>Prius.

I’d like to retain SOME dignity.

sherry
Dec 30, 2008 at 12:54 pm

The high cost of gas this past year put a hurting on all of us, our economy and our society. We need to move forward as a society and utilize every available source of energy to lessen our use of foreign oil.It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to charge and drive an electric car. The electricity to charge the car could come from solar or wind generated electricity. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. Why don’t we use some of the billions in bail out money to bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil? This past year the high cost of fuel so seriously damaged our economy and society that the ripple effects will be felt for years to come. Why not invest in setting up some alternative energy projects on a national basis, create clean cheap electricity, create millions of badly needed new green collar jobs, and get out from under our dependence on foreign oil. What a win -win situation that would be. There is a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW by Jeff Wilson. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in alternative energy. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

bob balderston
Dec 30, 2008 at 12:41 pm

i much prefer this car to the smug-mobiles the toyota and honda makes……this way at least you don’t know who the smug family is at the traffic light or in your ‘hood…i sleeper in the making, if you wish

GTwildfire
Dec 30, 2008 at 12:32 pm

As far as being futuristic… I seriously beg to differ.
-
The car Will Smith drove in A.I.
-
Not that it was functional mind you
-
was futuristic to me. The Fusion? Yawn in every department.

GTwildfire
Dec 30, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Auto makers nudge things along from generation to generation or when they come out with something new. They’re not into making bold moves with styling, it’s more like a series of half-hearted attempts with extremely watered-down cues perhaps taken from concepts they’ve flaunted at shows.
-
Of course the result from time to time is sort of like the awkwardness of adolescence. Looked good on paper, in clay and even at the design meetings and as a mule… but when it goes pubic er um… public… the results to you and I seem like they could have and should have been better.

cubie
Dec 30, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Well its not that ugly,I’m a import fan but this by far looks better than the prius and the civic hybrid,and besides gas isn’t gonna stay this low forever!