Autoblog

Fusion S: $19,270 (2.5L 4, six-speed manual)

The dust has hardly settled from Ford's big showing at the 2008 LA Auto Show, and already it's making news again with the new 2010 Fusion. Today Ford launched a minisite to promote the redesigned mid-size sedan, and contained therein is pricing for all five models. Everything begins with the base Fusion S model that starts at $19,270 and comes with the new 2.5L four-cylinder and a six-speed manual. The range tops out at the Fusion Hybrid, which starts at $27,270. That's a little more than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which begins at $26,150, but as AutoblogGreen points out, the Fusion Hybrid comes with Ford's new EcoAssist gauge cluster that may be worth the extra money to buyers. We've also learned that the Fusion Hybrid's fuel economy in the city will be 39 mpg, which is 6 mpg better than the Camry Hybrid, so you will be getting more for your money.


Fusion SE: $20,545 (2.5L 4, six-speed manual)


Fusion SEL: $23,975 (2.5L 4, six-speed auto)


Fusion Sport: $25,825 (3.5L V6, six-speed auto with SelectShift)


Fusion Hybrid: $27,270 (2.5L Atkinson, E-CVT transmission

[Source: Ford]

"No, thanks," says Ford of Australia to the Duratec V6. Instead, Ford of Oz will invest $21 million to upgrade its homegrown inline six-cylinder and keep the invading powerplant out. The ongoing commitment to its own engine saves jobs at Ford's Geelong plant, as well as keeps local Australian suppliers healthy. It doesn't make any sense for gaskets, castings, bearings and other various parts to come from some other continent, so it's a piece of good news for the economy in Victoria. The engine will be freshened to meet Euro IV emissions standards and will keep thundering away down under with exemplary second-order vibration characteristics. The Falcon, Falcon Ute, and Territory will continue to be homegrown products with homegrown hearts, that we still badly want here in he States. C'mon Ford, if Pontiac can do it, you can, too. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: GeelongAdvertiser]

While there is definitely a huge rift between those who favor a Detroit bailout and those who would rather see the Big 3 fade away, you'd think that someone like Flint-native and documentary maker Michael Moore would be all in favor of helping the Big Three succeed. After all, Moore rose to fame for his first documentary entitled "Roger and Me" that featured then-CEO of General Motors Roger Smith. According to this piece in the Detroit News, however, Moore doesn't profess unconditional support for a Big 3 bailout. It seems he has mixed feelings about the whole situation.

Moore was on Larry King last night saying that the automakers ignored the wishes of consumers by continuing to build bigger vehicles just to maximize profits. Foreign automakers, on the other hand, built SUVs and more fuel-efficient vehicles in other categories. Moore elaborated by saying that
the current managers don't deserve a dime, but that it would be terrible if so many people lost jobs because of them. He went on to suggest that Congress should demand change for any money given out, including building up alternative fueled vehicles and mass transit in the country.

[Source: Detroit News]

If we were going to continue numbering things, this would technically be Autoblog Podcast #103. We had tried to record this comeback episode once already about three weeks ago, and that turned out to be the only time I've ever toasted an audio file. Pro Tools said "uhh, what?" and that was that - our file was gone. So, before Chris Shunk headed out the door to the LA Auto Show, we sat down and breezed through a few subjects like what's in our respective Autoblog Garages, the new Mustang, the new Mazda 3, the new Lexus RX crossovers, and of course, the situation in which the Detroit automakers find themselves. It's a slightly rambly hour and only a duo this time around, but we're going to do it again soon with a trio, just like old times.

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There have been so many different arguments for why The Detroit 3 should or shouldn't get a bailout that we could make a casserole out of them. One argument against a bailout -- or at least, a reason for the futility of a bailout -- that we don't recall hearing yet is "vehicle density."

The argument is put forth by Anthony Mirhaydari at MSN Finance. Basically, he says that with 981 cars per 1,000 people of driving age in America and new cars being sold faster than used ones are taken out of service, there simply isn't enough room for U.S. auto makers to sustain the volume of sales necessary to avoid factory closures and layoffs.

As an argument against the bailout, though, we find it tenuous. No one is saying that Ford, GM and Chrysler won't need to cut a lot of fat whether or not they get bailed out. But the bailout is to aid the survival of the companies at all, not to prevent layoffs and shuttered factories, which, again, will happen with our without money. According to Mirhaydari, Detroit's only option is to go forth and colonize other markets. Well, except for Chrysler, because "Chrysler as we know it will cease to exist very soon."

[Source: MSN]

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, former entrant in the marathon to win the White House, and current automotive industry expert (who knew?) had a few things to say in the New York Times today on the potential auto industry bailout. The opening paragraph says it all: "IF General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won't go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed."

Romney is not rooting for the end of the biz, but he believes that bankruptcy is the only way to save it because it will force a reset, and that will be the only way for the Detroit 3 to rectify entrenched structural problems. These include UAW contracts -- "a new direction for the UAW," executive perks -- "sanity in salary and perks," getting rid of old blood -- "management as is must go," just for starters.

Romney believes that the auto industry is crucial to America's national interest in more ways than one. And he isn't against helping the U.S. automakers, but believes that a shock to the system is the only thing that can rescue it, long term. Have a look at the piece and let us know what you think -- but no need to make a decision yet; give it another few minutes, and we're sure someone else will have another prescription. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: New York Times, Photo by Mario Tama/Getty]

Ford pulled the silk sheets off the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid this afternoon. Sporting new front and rear fascias, an updated interior, and four engine choices, the mid-size Fusion is a direct shot across the bow of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. In fact, in nearly every engine combination, Ford boasts that their Fusion offers faster acceleration and better fuel economy than its Japanese rivals (plus, the automaker is quick to point out, the 2010 Fusion is available in both FWD and AWD configurations). Ford is offering the Fusion with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines: Duratec 2.5-liter I4, Duratec 3.0-liter V6, and the 3.5-liter V6 Duratec bumped to 240 hp for 2010. The hybrid model features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). According to Ford, the combo offers a bladder-busting 700-mile range in the city cycle. Expect the Fusion twins to roll (efficiently, of course) into showrooms in spring 2009.

Live photos copyright ©2008 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

It's almost hard to believe that a few months ago Mercury was headed for the River Styx. Now it's slated to live, although life is only slowly returning. The Mercury Milan sat up on its plinth at the LA Auto Show today and didn't do much – not even turn – but it didn't look too bad. The revamped model has a new grille, fenders, hood, front and rear fascias, and a cleaner underbody for aerodynamic reasons. Inside gets more leather – embossed skins on the Premier Edition – and backlighting for the gauges.The 3.0L V6 gets an extra 19 hp to touch 240, and you'll get up to 5 mpg more than those other, previous-gen Milan owners. Sorry, no 3.5L V6 for the Milan though, as that larger, more powerful engine is exclusive to the new Fusion Sport. But the Milan has also been filled with more electronic doodads than the CES convention. Check them all out after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.



Live photos copyright ©2008 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

There isn't much more to say about the 2010 Ford Mustang, so we'll keep this brief. The new coupe and convertible, as standard versions, will get some of the upscale Bullitt treatment from the current Mustang, so life should be even better for even more. We'll let the press release after the jump, our definitive overview, video synopsis and the gallery of high-res shots below do the rest of the talking for us.



Live photos copyright ©2008 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Earth to the not-exactly-Big 3 CEOs: When you fly to Washington to beg for an industry bailout, do yourselves a favor and leave the corporate jet at home. ABC News has thrown Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Bob Nardelli directly under the bus, reporting that each exercised costly private jet perks for their joint appearance before Congress instead of setting an example by flying commercial.

In his taped report, ABC's Brian Ross points out that Wagoner's round-trip on the company G4 cost approximately $20,000. A first class, round-trip commercial ticket from Detroit would have instead cost around $900 (multiplied by however many people Rick had in his entourage). Ross questioned Wagoner about his using the jet as he was leaving the hearing. The GM CEO replied that it was used only for "urgent situations." Alan Mulally also flew private, presumably on the same Ford-owned jet that ferries him and his wife home to Seattle on the weekends. No details were given on Nardelli's travel specifics, other than that he too arrived on a private jet.

We understand that these are perks many CEOs enjoy, but when you're about to stick your hand out for billions of dollars, it might help to suck it up and slum it in First Class like the rest of us. Oh, wait. Of course, the first class cabin on a Northwest Airlines jet isn't as optimal for perfecting your presentation as a private, flying boardroom. On the other hand, a commercial flight would let the three CEOs all fly together so they can get their sob stories straight. Hang on to your wallets, everyone.

[Source: ABC News, Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty]