AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

2010 Ford Fusion is Star of LA Auto Show

While attention is focused on Capital Hill, the second most important auto show of the year is going on in Los Angeles. As it stands now, it looks like the 2010 Ford Fusion is going to be the star of the show. Since its introduction, the Fusion has been a competitive midsized car, often winding up second choice to either the Camry or the Accord. The major revisions for 2010 seem to directly address the usual criticisms of the car. The car was criticized for being just a little underpowered, and just a little behind the leaders in terms of fuel efficiency. Both of these concerns were addressed by new 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines that are more powerful and more fuel efficient than the ones they replace. The Fusion will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission (if you can find one), or a new 6-speed automatic. Fuel efficiency for the 4 and 6 cylinder engines will be competitive with the class leaders. Interior and exterior styling was addressed. On the outside, the Fusion is sleeker, and on the inside, better quality materials are evident.

For 2010, the Fusion is available in a Dual Mode Hybrid version. Ford promises 5 MPG better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. As you will see in the embedded video, the trick digital dashboard is techno cool.

At least at first, it looks like the Fusion will continue to be built in Mexico; however Ford is in the middle of a plan to replace truck production with car production in several US plants, so it is possible that the Fusion will be moved to one of the US facilities.