The Ford SYNC system is now available on more than 4 million vehicles on the road. The feature is available either as an option or standard equipment on every new Ford model sold in North America. Ford now says that it will go ahead and offer the SYNC system as standard equipment on the new Ford Fusion and Flex.

Check out our original post on the Ford Fusion.

“Ford SYNC technology has led the industry in transforming the way we connect to our cars,” said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. “SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology with an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly to use.”

Every new 2013 Ford Fusion model and Flex model will come with SYNC whether it has an entry-level audio system or FoMoCo’s MyFord Touch infotainment system. Those with compatible phones and media players can be connected to SYNC through a standard USB port or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

- By: Omar Rana

While many automakers in the industry are constantly fighting for the top spots, market domination, or even global domination, Ford Motor Co. is taking a surprisingly different approach with its Fusion model.

FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally may have recently hinted that the Ford is trying to outsell the ever-popular Toyota Camry, but executives say this is not the case.

One of the outstanding reasons the automaker hasn’t made it a goal is because they don’t have the production capacity to sell as many units as the Camry.

Click here for more news on the Ford Fusion.

Instead, “Between price and volume, we’ll sort out the right mix,” Jim Farley, Ford’s global marketing chief, said in an interview. “I don’t think we’re very enamored with being No. 1 just to be No. 1. We’re much more enamored with getting the right price point and the right kind of people to buy the car.”

Ford is relying on several factors to get top-dollar for each of the Fusion’s it sells. With the expansion of the brand’s available technology, the demand for it will drive up sticker pricing, while hybrid and plug-in models will attract those looking to go green or save on gas. The improved design is also expected to increase consumer demand, as the model was named the best designed production car at the Detroit Auto Show.

As for figures, last year Toyota rolled 308,510 Camrys off U.S. lots, which is a 6 percent drop for the brand, while Ford was up 13 percent, with 248,067 units sold. This year, Ford is increasing production capacity to 400,000, while Toyota’s capacity is at 500,000 for its newly redesigned Camry.

“It’s going to be hard to outsell the Camry,” Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com sales analyst said. “Camry has been on top so long they’ve built up a huge, loyal owner base. Just from the sheer numbers, Camry is hard to beat.”

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoNews

The 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup will debut at Daytona 500 in February 2013 and features a new fresh face.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Ford Fusion.

”We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR.” stated Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “I think fans, when they see the car, are just going to smile and cheer. It is going to reengage them with the sport and make the sport better because there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in their driveways.”

The new NASCAR Ford Fusion will be tested throughout the 2012 campaign in preparation for their racing debut.

- By: Omar Rana

Kicking off the press conferences earlier this morning at the 2012 North American International Auto Show was Ford Motor Company and the world debut of the all-new, 2013 Ford Fusion mid-sized sedan

Fully redesigned using Ford of Europe’s now tested and proven global design language, which they familiarly call Kinetic Design, the new Fusion is a huge improvement over the previous generation. Heck, I’m tempted to say that it looks as good as the Jaguar XF at some angles.

For the first time ever as well, the all-new Fusion is the first American sedan to offer a full range of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Unfortunately however, no longer is there a V6 option for this new hybrid, which could be a little disappointing for those of us who like power.

The base engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-4 that’s good for 170hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Next is a turbocharged 1.6L EcoBoost four-banger that produces 179 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque and the top performance mill would be the turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost four-pot good for 237 hp and a pretty hefty 250 lb-ft of torque.

Check out more news on the Ford Fusion.

The hybrid is powered by a 2.0L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder mated to an electric motor powered by an all-new lithium-ion battery pack and is expected to return best-in-class fuel economy figures of 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.

But the biggest achievement with this new Ford Fusion is the all new Fusion Energi, which is Ford’s first ever attempt at a plug-in hybrid and a car that the Dearborn make says will be the most fuel-efficient midsized car in the world. The Fusion Energi plug-in is expected to return 100 MPGe, about 8 more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 more than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid’s projected rating.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana - egmCarTech.

- By: Chris Chin

When it goes on sale this fall, Ford says that the Fusion Energi is projected to deliver more than 100 MPGe, a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electrified vehicles. That is is 8 MPGe more than the Chevy Volt and 13 MPGe more than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.

- By: Omar Rana

Looks wise the 2013 Ford Fusion is quite an outstanding looking sedan and is worlds away from the Fusion we’ve come to know and sort of like. This time around, Ford opted for a more sleek silhouette with a fresh face and an aggressive stance – we almost want to say that it’s closer to Jaguar’s design theme. Either way, Ford has definitely changed the game in terms of looks for the mid-size sedan segment.

Check out more news on the Ford Fusion.

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what One Ford stands for,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result.”

In the U.S., the standard Ford Fusion will be available in S, SE and Titanium trims – while in other parts of the world it will be known as the Mondeo. The gasoline powered Fusion is dropping is V6 for an all 4-cylinder engine lineup including a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 with 170-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Also available will be a 1.6 liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cylinder making 179-hp and 172 lb-ft of torque and a 2.0 liter EcoBoost making 237-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Both will be mated with a 6-speed automatic, however, the 1.6 liter model can be had with a 6-speed manual. All Ford Fusion models come with front-wheel-drive as standard but the 2.0 liter EcoBoost can be ordered with all-wheel-drive.

The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid gets a new 2.0 liter Atkinson 4-cylinder – replacing the 2.5 liter unit – and is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel-economy of 47/44 mpg (city/highway). It also get a new lithium-ion battery and increases its electric-only power from 47 mph to 62 mph.

The 2013 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid will go on sale later this year while the Mondeo will arrive next year in Europe.

- By: Omar Rana

Citroen offered it in their C6 years ago, not to mention quite a few other higher priced marques, and now it turns out that Ford is putting a lane departure warning system in the Fusion in 2013.

Essentially what happens is that rear view cameras monitor whether the car is veering in and out of the lane and the steering wheel vibrates if the driver is falling out of their lane.

The system is not standard in all Fusions and will be offered as part of a technology package. Now that this feature is available to the average consumer, will it improve road safety, or does it merely speak to the decreasing driving abilities of the average consumer?

The 2013 Ford Fusion will debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show next week.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: Inside Line

As FoMoCo prepares to take the wraps off of the new 2013 Ford Fusion next month, the company is celebrating the sale success of the currently model that continues to sell at a record pace. Sales of the Ford Fusion, which was introduced in 2006, have steadily increased and it also became the company’s best-selling car in 2011.

Fusion sales are expected to reach 240,000 by year-end.

“Since launching in the 2006 model year, Fusion has reinforced Ford’s commitment to the midsize sedan market,” said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion marketing manager. “Recognized as a Best Buy every year since launch, Fusion is a key contributor to Ford’s car renaissance.”

Click here for more news on the Ford Fusion.

Between 2006 and 2010, the Fusion helped Ford expand its share of the mid-size segment by 5.2 percentage points.

Through November, Ford has sold a total of 2225,445 units of the Fusion.

• 84 percent of Fusion models are sold with SYNC^®, Ford’s award-winning voice-controlled communications and entertainment system
• 20 percent of Fusion models are sold with Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®)
• 44 percent of Fusion models are sold with a reverse sensing system
• 20 percent of Fusions are sold with a rear view camera system.

- By: Omar Rana

An important car for Ford’s non-light truck side of the business, the all new 2013 Fusion will need to appeal sadly to the rental car industry, but also to those individuals interested in Ford’s midsize sedan. This time around, Ford will attempt to woo those cross shopping the Camry and the Accord with a smartphone/ereader app which Ford developed in conjunction with Moonbeam Studios.

The application will allow users to virtually test drive the new Fusion in a variety of environments, and as part of the driving experience, users will learn about new features in the upcoming Fusion. The car is set to be introduced at the 2012 Consumer Electronics show as the offical car of the show by Alan Mullay, Ford’s CEO and Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association.

“We want to have an exciting and interactive way to build anticipation leading up to the reveal of the all-new Fusion,” said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion Marketing manager. “The app allows consumers to learn about the advanced technology and design of the car in a fun and easy-to-use way while reinforcing the transformative nature of the Fusion.”

It will also make an appearance at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

Click here for more new on the Ford Fusion.

The application will not be a static exhibit, instead, in the time leading up to the unveiling, daily video clips will be released as part of the app, revealing more and more about what the new Fusion has to offer. Naturally in today’s world of semi free social media marketing, the accomplishments and experiences between game users will be integrated with social media sites Facebook and Twitter.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

FoMoCo said Friday that it is recalling a total of 130,000 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedan due to concerns that the wheel studs could crack and cause wheels to fall off. Pretty scary stuff here. The recall consists of 2010 and 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models with 17-inch steel wheels- a total of 128,616 units are being recalled.

Ford is also recalling 2,940 steel wheels that were sold to dealers.

The company said that the steel wheel mounting pads may have been faulty and the wheel mounting face on rear brake discs could not have been attached properly.

In January, NHTSA opened an investigation into 317,000 Ford Fusion and Mercury milan units.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit news

Here’s a story that might not surprise many of you that are in the market for a new car. While the midsize segment is one of the most popular in the United States – that’s slowly changing. Soon enough you’ll see less and less Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion type vehicles on the roads and more Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus sized cars.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, compact cars will outsell midsize vehicles as early as this year. Many new car shoppers are picking small cars like the Chevrolet Cruze and even smaller ones like the Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent.

Around 5 years ago, automakers sold around 250,000 more midsize sedans than compact cars. But that was when gas prices were cheaper. J.D. Power says that by 2015, compacts and subcompacts will account for 20 percent of overall automotive sales in the United States – midsize cars will account for just 14 percent.

Click here for our review on the Chevrolet Cruze.

The move is already starting – for the past 15 years, the Camry has been the best-selling car in the U.S. For a brief period in 2011, the Cruze unseated the Camry as the best-selling car in the country. Even the Hyundai Elantra was shining with a 46 percent increase in sales to 161,000 through October.

In the market for a new car? Let us know what you’re looking at in the comments section below.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

Click here for our original post on the Ford Evos Concept.

According to new reports, the first of influence of the Evos design language (without the fancy coupe layout and gullwing doors) will be seen in the next Ford Mondeo, which will now become a global car. With that said, the next real thing will be shown at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January, where it will replace the current Ford Fusion on the U.S. market.

Much of the swooping lines on the car and the overall design theme will make it to the next Ford Fusion.

The next Ford Fusion will be offered as a hybrid as well along with a new EcoBoost option.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Ford’s efforts to step up their game have definitely been paying off. Anyone who has been in a recent Ford product knows this and the Deaborn make has no plans of stopping.

In a small press conference, Ford said that they’ll be focusing their products around improving fuel economy, reducing weight and making the engines lighter and smaller without a sacrifice in performance, safety or luxury. Additionally, since the Mercury brand received the axe not too long ago, Ford said that their chance to really focus on their lineup is now.

Here are some of the outlines for Ford’s plans.

The Fiesta, although new as of 2010 as a 2011 model, will most likely get a new 1.0L three-banger EcoBoost engine for 2013 or 2014. A mid-cycle refresh is expected in 2014.

The Focus is also new as of this year. An electric version is planned for release in 2012, while the hot performance ST version with Ford’s 2.0L turbocharged EcoBoost engine will hit our shores in 2012. An all-wheel drive RS model is also a possibility (keep your fingers crossed).

The Mustang will be completely redesigned for 2015 as the nameplate turns 50 years old at the turn of the year 2014. The new Mustang is rumored to get a completely new platform with…get this…fully independent rear suspension, moving away from the ancient old solid-rear axle.

The Fusion is expected to get a redesign for 2013 while the current Fusion could receive Ford’s new EcoBoost four-banger. As a result, the V6 may be dropped. However, rumor also has it that Ford is currently trying to develop 2.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost V6s for 2014 and 2015 and the Fusion may see this engine.

The Taurus will be restyled for 2013 and we were able to catch a glimpse of it at this past year’s New York Auto Show. Additionally, a reworked 3.5L EcoBoost V6 will find its way into the updated SHO. A new base engine will be the new 2.0L EcoBoost four-banger while the new 2.5L EcoBoost V6 as aforementioned in the Fusion bit will also make its way into the Taurus by 2015.

A new, completely redesigned Escape will come in 2013 and is most likely to be based on the next-generation European Kuga crossover, which is also based on the new Ford Focus platform. But the biggest issue for the Escape is the question as to whether a new Escape Hybrid will make a comeback, as Ford did not make a comment.

The Edge has just received a mid-cycle refresh so a complete redesign is not expected until 2014 or 2015. The same could be said for the Explorer, which is new as of this year so a mid-cycle refresh should occur at the same time the new Edge comes out.

The Flex crossover will get a small refresh for the 2012 model year while a complete redesign is expected for 2015. The engine choices for the new Flex in 2015 are still in the unknown, but chances are the new 2.0L EcoBoost inline-4 will make its way into the Flex.

The Expedition is said to get a refresh for 2012 or 2013. Also, because of the success with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the F150, Ford said that the same engine could make its way into the Expedition. And to make things even sweeter, the Expedition’s “Triton” V8 will be phased out and replaced by the epic new 5.0L V8 that first debuted in the Mustang.

The F150 is expected to be completely redesigned for 2015 or 2016 while the Super Duty versions will be refreshed in 2014 after already receiving some minor updates.

The Transit Connect has been around since December of 2010 so a redesign isn’t expected until 2013. And lastly, the Econoline is rumored to be replaced in 2014 by a derivative of the European-developed Transit.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Automotive News

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the most successful hybrid sedan on the market. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid averages a combined fuel-economy of 39 mpg or 41/36 mpg (city/highway).

According to Ford Inside news, development on the next-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid has already started. Sources say that new Ford Fusion Hybrid is averaging around 47 or 48 mpg in the first round of tests.

The Fusion’s sister car, the Lincoln MKZ, won’t show up until the 2013 model year – that means we won’t see a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid until sometime late 2012 or early 2013. The Ford Fusion Hybrid should make its debut around mid-2012.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Ford Inside News (via Green Car Reports)

Welcome to our fifth edition of Let’s Talk Numbers, a segment where we take two or more cars and do a number battle and leave it up to our readers to decide which car is a better purchase.

Yesterday, we took a look at three new compact sedans, where the 2011 Hyundai Elantra seemed be the crowd favorite. Today we pin another new Hyundai against a very popular competitor in its segment. It’s time for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to go to war with the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Let’s begin:

Make sure you check out our previous Let’s Talk Number battles.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

• Style: Sedan (5-seater).
• Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive.
• Power: 2.4L inline 4-cylinder  / 166-hp – 154 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 40.2-hp electric motor (powered by 270-volt lithium-ion battery), total output comes to 206-hp – 195 lb-ft of torque.
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC.
• All electric mode: up to 74 mph.
• Fuel-economy: 35/40 mpg (city/highway); 37 mpg combined.
• Price: $25,795.

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

• Style: Sedan (5-seater).
• Drive Type: Front-wheel-drive.
• Power: 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine / 156-hp – 136 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 35-hp AC Synchronous electric motor (powered by 275-Volt Nickel-Metal-Hydride), total output comes to 191-hp – 136 lb-ft of torque.
• Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT).
• All electric mode: up to 47 mph.
• Fuel-economy: 41/36 mpg (city/highway); 39 mpg combined.
• Price: $28,405.

Let us know which model you think wins this number comparison in the comments section after the jump.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

Ford Fusion Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

2012 Ford C-MAX Energi

Ford is charging up its display at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show today and is revealing its electrified plan in China for the first time with the Asian debut of the company’s latest electric-vehicles. At the show, Ford is showcasing the Ford Focus Electric, Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Ford said that it will give customers in China the opportunity to come up close with Ford’s electrified vehicles and will be making a demo fleet of new energy vehicles available in the country later this year.

The award-winning Ford Fusion Hybrid will be one of the vehicles in the trial fleet.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to bring some of Ford’s latest electrified vehicles to China for a trial,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s group vice president and president, Asia Pacific and Africa. He is also the chairman and CEO of Ford China. “With China aiming to go green on the road with new-energy vehicles, the country is the perfect platform to showcase Ford’s advanced technologies in its electrification plan.”

No word on when Ford’s hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric-cars will go on sale in China. The Ford Focus Electric will go on sale in the United States later this year followed by the Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid in 2012.

2012 Ford Focus Electric:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Ford Mustang GT

FoMoCo has increased pricing an average of $117, or 0.4 percent on 2011 models starting Friday, April 1 (and no it’s not an April Fools joke).

According to George Pipas, Ford’s chief sales analyst, the price increase is due to ‘higher commodity costs’ and not cause of the massive earthquake in Japan.

“This adjustment has been planned for some time,” Pipas said. “If you read the headlines, prices for food, energy, airline tickets are going up across the board.”

Dealers were inform of the price adjustment on Friday. Ford reported a 16 percent gain in U.S. sales last month. The Dearborn automaker and other have previously warned that rising commodity prices will eat into profits this year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

2011 Ford Mustang GT

Consumer Reports has released its annual all-American Top Picks for 2011, which consists of well, all-American vehicles. To meet the qualifications for being named a Top Pick by Consumer Reports a car must:

- By: Omar Rana