“Blame it on the economy.” Never has a statement been uttered so much as this has in the past few years. As it’s been told, innovation is born through necessity, and America needed a way to get back up on its feet. With the recession and the automotive bailout, there comes a whole new perspective for Ford, now positioning itself to be the innovative leader in fuel efficiency.

We were fortunate enough to be invited out to Dearborn, MI by Ford to view their 2013 Ford Fusion, C-MAX Hybrids and Electric, and to truly get a feel for Ford’s outlook into their future. I’ve never been much of a Ford fan myself, seeing how years ago they positioned themselves very rugged (see: “Built Ford Tough”) and not very practical for the normal day-to-day driver. But times are changing, and Ford is ahead of that curve now.

2013 ford fusion in tuxedo black

Ford recognized the need for fuel-efficient cars, not only because of the rising gas prices, but also because of the environment. But to truly be competitive in that market especially with the likes of Toyota, they needed amazing numbers and stellar design.

 

The Power of Choice

The new Fusion comes packed with tons of customizable options. I’m not just talking a variety of shell colors and interior materials and colors, but the Fusion comes with 5 different engine options. Each engine offers a different benefit to drivers, but all the engines achieve exactly what Ford and its customers really want- fuel efficiency, practicality, and great driving performance.

Standard and available engines include:
• Standard 2.5L Duratec® I-4 engine. Coupled with SelectShift Automatic® six-speed transmission with thumb switch on gear shift knob.
• Available new 1.6L EcoBoost* engine. Coupled with standard SelectShift Automatic® six-speed transmission or optional manual transmission. (37 MPG)
• Available new 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Coupled with six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. (33 MPG)
• Available hybrid 2.0L I-4 Atkinson-cycle powertrain. Coupled with electronically controlled continuosly variable transmission (eCVT). (47 MPG)
• Available plug-in hybrid electric 2.0L I-4 Atkinson-cycle engine. Coupled with electronically controlled continuosly variable transmission (eCVT) and high-voltage electric motor. Available early 2013. (100+ MPGe)

 

Job Creation in America

View President Obama’s speech regarding insourcing American jobs and giving much credit to Ford. 

Suffice it to say that much of America’s problem is the outsourcing of jobs to overseas. The White House has been working to reward companies that bring more jobs to America, and increasing our export to other countries. Although most of the automotive companies that were bailed out a few years ago are now turning profit, Ford is leading the pack. Opening more plants in the U.S. and creating innovative products that sell overseas are just the beginning for Ford.

2013 ford fusion seats to be green friendlyAs almost a peripheral happening, the Ford Fusion interior is going to contain post-consumer and post-industrial waste in the fabric of the seats, which will in turn create more green jobs for America. Also the cushion and the head restraints will “use a bio-based polyurethane foam derived from the oils of various plant seeds, such as soybeans.”

It was very apparent during our time with Ford that they are very committed to creating more jobs in America. They are relentlessly innovative, creating cars that are now going to be major, formidable competition to other cars seeking to be the leader in fuel efficiency.

For more information about the specs of the 2013 Ford Fusion, visit their site. Stay tuned for another article detailing the performance and style specs of the 2013 Ford Fusion.