Now if anyone, even just one, person at Chrysler had half a brain, they'd really grab this opportunity. Safety is important, and a fantastic selling point.
This may be the one and only thing Dodge can shove into Toyota's face and actually have ground to stand on.
Just a big FYI
The IIHS does not test Porsches. It does not test many of the most expensive BMWs and Mercedes either. Therefore their absence should not make a big difference.
The IIHS told us they tested only 52 roofs at this point. Why? Because when they told manufacturers of the tests and asked them to send cars they thought had a chance of passing, all they got was 52. of those 27 passed. They will add new models to the list throughout the year though as they do more testing. That's why so many 2010 models were rushed through the old testing to get 2009 awards.
Single most important safety feature: an alert driver. Everything else is bandaids to minimize the consequences of the driver's failure, both of this vehicle and of those around him.
I like the Fusion a lot, but is it car of the year material? It's not even all new. I really don't know what Motor Trend is thinking on these "____ Of the Year" awards anymore. They either pick the the lamest, most economical vehicle in the pool (Outback was SUV of the year, WTF?) or something completely ridiculous and irrelevant to most buyers (GTR last year).
I do not miss my subscription to that magazine. #fordfusion
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
@PotbellyJoe - As seen on I-287: Yeah, that's true. And despite 20+ pages of write up about how they chose the winner, the result is usually pretty bogus. At least they combined it with Import COTY about a decade back, preventing crap like the '97 Malibu, '93 Probe and '88 Grand Prix from winning. Seriously, the list of previous winners is a great big cavalcade of suck.
Also, I can't wait to see what the '10 Truck of the Year is. Did anybody even come out with a new truck this year? That's got to be the most bogus award of all.
Edited by If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face at 11/17/09 9:50 PM
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
I particularly like the fact that this is a domestic that has pretty nice styling AND the underpinnings to make it worth driving. Ford has to be the domestic with the most on the ball lately. #fordfusion
@zeeboid: I'm kind of a mix. I drive mostly high end cars of many manufacturers. But I really admire great engineering; the kind where the synergy of the design reaches an orgasm of driving enjoyment. It doesn't matter where the design comes from.
But I don't think people who look at automobiles as some kind of statement of nationalistic pride are really paying attention. No mass manufactured vehicle today is a pristine product of only one country. As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling. Everyone is wearing a mask, and the moves are choreographed for fan enjoyment.
But this is a good car. No excess baggage with that simple observation.
@DoctorNine: "But I don't think people who look at automobiles as some kind of statement of nationalistic pride are really paying attention"
I agree with you there. never quite understood why some of the manufactures just can't quite go that little extra mile. example: The 300c and Chargers not having a 6sp, some of the leather in cars obviously inferior, etc.
"As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling"
Not so much there. even with that, many fail to take into account all the R&D to get acar to where it is going (90ish % of which is spent within the country of origin) not to mention where the profit is going (country of origin once again) simply put, the company has more invested (in all respects) in its home country, and the home country benifits most from that company's success.
don't get me wrong, I am all for a global marketplace, and competition. (without competition, you have ntohing but crap because there is no encouragement to do better.)
And I have never purchased a NEW car so I have never practiced what I preached (Though the only foreign machines i've ever had have been 3/3 motorcycles and 0/15 cars. I have not yet been able to afford a Victory, and Harley Davidsons are too much like Puppies for me (leaving a puddle wherever they go))
@DoctorNine: "But I don't think people who look at automobiles as some kind of statement of nationalistic pride are really paying attention"
I agree with you there. never quite understood why some of the manufactures just can't quite go that little extra mile. example: The 300c and Chargers not having a 6sp, some of the leather in cars obviously inferior, etc.
"As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling"
Not so much there. even with that, many fail to take into account all the R&D to get acar to where it is going (90ish % of which is spent within the country of origin) not to mention where the profit is going (country of origin once again) simply put, the company has more invested (in all respects) in its home country, and the home country benifits most from that company's success.
don't get me wrong, I am all for a global marketplace, and competition. (without competition, you have ntohing but crap because there is no encouragement to do better.)
And I have never purchased a NEW car so I have never practiced what I preached (Though the only foreign machines i've ever had have been 3/3 motorcycles and 0/15 cars. I have not yet been able to afford a Victory, and Harley Davidsons are too much like Puppies for me (leaving a puddle wherever they go))
MotorTrend can go to hell, but the Fusion can go to hell and back. I've yet to hear about any bad news from owners up here, and that's saying something.
If a car can handle Alaska, it can pretty much handle anything. #fordfusion
@Ford Tempo Fanatic: That's not trial by fire, it's trial by frost heave. And mile upon mile of frozen tundra.
I'm originally from Minnesota, so I kinda know where you're coming from, but around there if you get stuck in a drift help will be by probably within a week. For you guys, spring.
@Elhigh: Which is why its a good thing me, and most of Alaska's natives, choose Ford Tempos for their daily drivers. Those things put almost everything else to shame in the snow, while being reliable enough to get you home and back.
I remember in the early eighties when Motor Trend named the Renault AMC Alliance as Car of the Year. I never trusted their judgment after that. #fordfusion
I bought my '10 Fusion a couple months back. With less than 2500 miles on the clock , it's a bit too early to be certain but so far I have not suffered the slightest twinge of buyer's remorse.
I bought a black SE with the 2.5 ltr I4 and MS Synch, sunroof and parking sensors (it was a package, I think). I opted for the I4 for the mileage (I've consistently seen 31-32mpg on the hwy) and had no need for the AWD (I live in Southern California, after all), I am amazed at how well the I4 and 6-speed slush box motivates the Fusion. I'm absolutely thrilled with the way the car drives. The lighter weight mil gives the car better balance than the V6 version and the car handles much better than I had hoped, feeling quite planted in the curves. When I tested the V6 it felt a bit nose-heavy. The only feature I wish the car had is "manual mode" for the slushie.
So yeah, good on ya Ford! Don't worry about the Camcord out selling this car. Keep up the good work and that won't last.
11/19/09
Then again, I've never really agreed with MT's choices.
11/18/09
This may be the one and only thing Dodge can shove into Toyota's face and actually have ground to stand on.
11/18/09
11/18/09
The IIHS does not test Porsches. It does not test many of the most expensive BMWs and Mercedes either. Therefore their absence should not make a big difference.
The IIHS told us they tested only 52 roofs at this point. Why? Because when they told manufacturers of the tests and asked them to send cars they thought had a chance of passing, all they got was 52. of those 27 passed. They will add new models to the list throughout the year though as they do more testing. That's why so many 2010 models were rushed through the old testing to get 2009 awards.
11/18/09
11/18/09
I guess it would be best to drive in overstuffed furniture. That would, you know, cushion any impacts.
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/17/09
I do not miss my subscription to that magazine. #fordfusion
11/17/09
Too much gray area. #fordfusion
11/17/09
Also, I can't wait to see what the '10 Truck of the Year is. Did anybody even come out with a new truck this year? That's got to be the most bogus award of all.
11/17/09
11/18/09
why don't you take your love for America and...
nope, can't do it. I can't even pretend to be a foreign car loving person. #fordfusion
11/18/09
But I don't think people who look at automobiles as some kind of statement of nationalistic pride are really paying attention. No mass manufactured vehicle today is a pristine product of only one country. As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling. Everyone is wearing a mask, and the moves are choreographed for fan enjoyment.
But this is a good car. No excess baggage with that simple observation.
11/18/09
I agree with you there. never quite understood why some of the manufactures just can't quite go that little extra mile. example: The 300c and Chargers not having a 6sp, some of the leather in cars obviously inferior, etc.
"As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling"
Not so much there. even with that, many fail to take into account all the R&D to get acar to where it is going (90ish % of which is spent within the country of origin) not to mention where the profit is going (country of origin once again) simply put, the company has more invested (in all respects) in its home country, and the home country benifits most from that company's success.
don't get me wrong, I am all for a global marketplace, and competition. (without competition, you have ntohing but crap because there is no encouragement to do better.)
And I have never purchased a NEW car so I have never practiced what I preached (Though the only foreign machines i've ever had have been 3/3 motorcycles and 0/15 cars. I have not yet been able to afford a Victory, and Harley Davidsons are too much like Puppies for me (leaving a puddle wherever they go))
11/18/09
I agree with you there. never quite understood why some of the manufactures just can't quite go that little extra mile. example: The 300c and Chargers not having a 6sp, some of the leather in cars obviously inferior, etc.
"As such, the global origin of the things makes 'national pride' arguments sort of like Mexican Wrestling"
Not so much there. even with that, many fail to take into account all the R&D to get acar to where it is going (90ish % of which is spent within the country of origin) not to mention where the profit is going (country of origin once again) simply put, the company has more invested (in all respects) in its home country, and the home country benifits most from that company's success.
don't get me wrong, I am all for a global marketplace, and competition. (without competition, you have ntohing but crap because there is no encouragement to do better.)
And I have never purchased a NEW car so I have never practiced what I preached (Though the only foreign machines i've ever had have been 3/3 motorcycles and 0/15 cars. I have not yet been able to afford a Victory, and Harley Davidsons are too much like Puppies for me (leaving a puddle wherever they go))
11/17/09
If a car can handle Alaska, it can pretty much handle anything. #fordfusion
11/17/09
I'm originally from Minnesota, so I kinda know where you're coming from, but around there if you get stuck in a drift help will be by probably within a week. For you guys, spring.
Maybe. #fordfusion
11/17/09
I speak from experience. ;) #fordfusion
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
I bought a black SE with the 2.5 ltr I4 and MS Synch, sunroof and parking sensors (it was a package, I think). I opted for the I4 for the mileage (I've consistently seen 31-32mpg on the hwy) and had no need for the AWD (I live in Southern California, after all), I am amazed at how well the I4 and 6-speed slush box motivates the Fusion. I'm absolutely thrilled with the way the car drives. The lighter weight mil gives the car better balance than the V6 version and the car handles much better than I had hoped, feeling quite planted in the curves. When I tested the V6 it felt a bit nose-heavy. The only feature I wish the car had is "manual mode" for the slushie.
So yeah, good on ya Ford! Don't worry about the Camcord out selling this car. Keep up the good work and that won't last.
11/17/09
Not that it wins Car of the Year - just the Motor Trend association. #fordfusion
11/17/09