Weekly Top 3: 2010 Ford Fusion -- If It Ain't Broke, Don't Waste Money Redesigning It
Awhile ago I wrote a piece on what I called "the 'ABP' (All But Platform) design movement." The 2010 Ford Fusion was my featured example. "It looks different inside and out," I noted, "and its powertrains have been revised. But underneath, it's basically the same car as the 2009 model, which means it's based on a stretched previous-generation Mazda 6 platform."
At the time, I praised Ford for taking this money-saving approach with a product that didn't actually need a ground-up redesign. However, the 2010 Fusion wasn't out yet, so I couldn't comment on the result. Now that I've tested the 2010 Fusion SEL V6, I can. Here's three reasons why Ford did the right thing by holding off on a full redo for the Fusion.
3. The Fusion's platform is thoroughly competitive. For a few decades now, automakers have been churning out all-new models every 4-6 years, which made sense back when major advances were being made in manufacturing techniques, materials and so on. Today, though, we've reached a point where most cars are fundamentally just fine, and the 2010 Fusion is a case in point. Sure, it's got the same chassis as the previous Fusion, but that chassis provides a ride/handling balance that ranks with the best in the midsize segment. Ford was right not to mess with success.
2. The powertrains are now up to snuff.
What the Fusion really needed was some underhood surgery, and that's what Ford gave it. For 2009, fuel economy with the four-cylinder -- 20 mpg city, 29 highway and 23 combined -- was virtually the same as the Toyota Camry V6 (19/28/23), and the 3.0-liter V6 was underpowered and even less fuel-efficient. For 2010, fuel economy for the new 2.5-liter four is a much-improved 23 city/34 highway, while the 3.0-liter V6 has received a power bump, and an even punchier 3.5-liter V6 is available in the Fusion Sport.
1. It was cheap. Or at least far cheaper than a stem-to-stern redesign would have been. These are trying times for American automakers, obviously, but the ABP philosophy has allowed Ford to save precious dollars while continuing to field a competitive product. Watch for more manufacturers to employ it in the future, even when the economy gets back on its feet.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
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- Josh Sadlier May 8, 2009, 3:00 AM
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I'm glad the real Mazda 6 lives on! For should make my day by making the manual transmission available in the V6 models!
(I think the new US-only Mazda 6 is junk as far as driving dynamics is concerned.....)
Re: If it ain't broke...
Looks like a good move in this case; but overall, the reason Japanese cars have pulled ahead is decades of of continuous improvement on every part of the vehicle, even if only a little, and even if "it ain't broke."
#2 was my only problem with the previous Fusion. Now that they've resolved that, I think Ford has a real winner on their hands. I guess sales figures agree.
Ford has a history of doing this. Look at the Mustang, which just underwent a redesign, but is still based off the same D2C platform. Same thing with the previous generation SN-95 Mustang. Same thing with the Focus, twice.
Greenpony, he acknowledged that issue of outdated platforms being a problem with Ford in the past. In previous decades, technology advanced quickly enough that it was stupid to stick with an old platform. These days, there's no reason at all that you can't expect 10 years from a good platform. Design, fuel economy, safety, and "info-tainment" are the characteristics that differentiate cars from one another in today's market. "Ride and handling" is pretty well covered. You only need so much cutting-edge chassis technology in a family car that will likely never exceed 80 mph.
I saw a 2010 Fusion on the road for the first time last night. Its a great looking sedan.
ahightower, I can read as well as you. My comment was a neutral observation -- that redesigning a car on the same chassis is nothing new -- not an argument in favor of or against anything, nor a critique of the author's article.
Great looking car inside and out, much better than the outgoing model, and styling wise much better than the new Mazda 6.
Great job, FORD!