Fusion Energi Guide

Ford Invests $1.3 Billion (USD) in Producing Fuel-Efficient, High-Quality Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Midsize Ford investing $1.3 billion (USD) in the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant, home of the all-new Fusion and Lincoln MKZ for North American customers, helping answer growing demand for midsize sedans New investment to create 1,000 new direct jobs in the state of Sonora New Fusion, which starts appearing in Ford showrooms across North America this fall, is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across customers’ choice of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles; new Lincoln MKZ marks key milestone in Lincoln’s reinvention 2013 Ford Fusion Ford Fusion Energi Forum – Ford today announced a $1.3 billion (USD) investment in its Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant, creating 1,000 jobs locally and all-new Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ lineups for a growing number of North American customers buying midsize sedans. “Ford is making a significant investment in this facility and a significant commitment to the employees here while also transforming our vehicle lineup for customers throughout North America,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas at an announcement today with key government officials including President of Mexico Felipe Calderón Hinojosa. “The midsize sedan market is significant, growing and one of the most competitive in the industry. With our all-new Fusion and Lincoln MKZ lineups, we have the fuel economy, quality, technology and vehicle choices to win customers like never before.” Ford’s investment is helping transform the stamping and assembly plant, known for its high-quality production, bringing 1,000 new direct jobs in the state of Sonora. “Working together with national and state government officials, Ford has been able to make our vision a reality, helping deliver new jobs and even greater levels of competitiveness for the company,” said Gabriel López, chief executive officer and general director Ford of Mexico. Lincoln MKZ concept Ford’s latest investment caps 87years of manufacturing in Mexico and is in addition to $3 billion invested in Mexico during the past decade. In addition to Fusion, which has been built in Hermosillo since 2005 and sold more than 1.1 million models, Ford started building Fiestas at its Cuautitlán plant in 2008. The company also builds diesel engines for small and medium trucks in Chihuahua as well as transmissions through a joint venture with Getrag (GTF). New Fusion lineup Fusion also offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies to help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and help park, even aiding drivers backing out of parking space where visibility is obstructed.

Colorado Volt Buyers Eligible for $13,500 in Tax Credits State’s $6,000 incentive comes atop federal tax credit of up to $7,500 Chevy Volt Forum - Colorado residents who purchase or lease a new Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range are eligible for a state tax credit of up to $6,000 in addition to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a total price reduction of as much as $13,500. Colorado is one of a number of states that is offering a state tax credit in addition to the federal tax credit, which is subject to the customer’s eligibility. For example, Volt customers who purchase a low-emission model of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, which is standard in California, will qualify for a $1,500 state rebate and will be eligible to drive solo in the state’s carpool lanes. A tool to determine specific state or local electric vehicle tax credits is available here. “This rebate in Colorado provides an extra incentive for those that want to purchase or drive an energy-efficient and technologically advanced vehicle like the Chevrolet Volt,” said Volt Marketing Director Cristi Landy. “With the available state and federal tax credits, along with the fuel savings that many owners experience by charging daily, the Volt can fit the lifestyles and budgets of many people.” The Volt was recently selected by Kelley Blue Book with its 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award for Electric vehicles. “The additional tax credit that the state of Colorado is offering to purchasers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) further reduces the effective five-year Total Cost of Ownership that owners of these can expect to pay,” said Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book. “This furthers the value proposition for owning a vehicle like the Chevrolet Volt, making it a great time to buy one.” The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Volt owners have travelled more than 10 million miles since the vehicle launched late last year. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

GM to replace Volt power cords David Shepardson / Detroit News General Motors Co. said it is replacing the 120-volt charging cords in most of the nearly 10,000 Volts that it has sold since late 2010. GM spokesman Randy Fox said the new cords "offer some more consistency in charging." Some of the chargers built after Feb. 5 have the new cords. "We've done some enhancements to add some durability," he said. The move was reported earlier by Yahoo Autos. Separately, GM told its Volt owners that they can start getting upgrades to protect their batteries during severe crashes. READ MORE HERE Chevy Volt Forum.com

Opel Ampera Orders Soar Past 7,000 Plug In Cars / Eric Lovejoy Orders of the award-winning 2012 Opel Ampera—the European version of the Chevy Volt—recently soared past the 7,000-unit mark. Winner of the European European Car Of The Year 2012 honor, the Opel Ampera is now starting to trickle into showrooms throughout Europe, but is nearly sold out until year's end. READ MORE HERE

Ford’s First-Ever All-Electric Passenger Car, Focus Electric, Takes to The Road at 2012 Geneva Motor Show Ford’s electrified vehicle flagship, Focus Electric, is on show at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show Show-goers get first opportunity to drive Ford’s first-ever all-electric passenger car Focus Electric offers target range of 160 kilometres (100 miles), the same dynamic driving experience as fuel-powered models and a full charge in three to four hours Ford Focus Electric Foums – Ford is offering visitors to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show an early opportunity to try its first-ever all-electric passenger car, the Focus Electric. The fuel-free Focus has a target range of 160 kilometres (100 miles), can be charged in just three to four hours when connected to an appropriate charging facility and is powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. “We believe that experiencing the responsive performance and agility of the new Focus Electric will add to the excitement customers are already feeling about this very viable and cost-effective car,” said Ford of Europe’s CEO and chairman, Stephen Odell. Much of the Focus Electric’s steering, handling and braking feel is shared with the agile, sporty, fuel-powered five-door hatchback Focus model upon which it is based. The absence of a gasoline or diesel engine and the vehicle’s outstanding aerodynamics lead to a remarkably quiet and comfortable in-car experience. From launch, the Focus Electric will also employ Ford’s advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface, SYNC, with specially developed features to enhance the enjoyment of driving an electric vehicle in the most efficient way. This is also something visitors will be able to experience at the event. “The suite of smart driver information technologies will transform the way customers think about energy usage and their transportation needs,” added Odell. Focus Electric will be the flagship of Ford’s new family of electrified vehicles and join the growing line-up of energy efficient ECOnetic Technology-badged vehicles that are leaders or among the very best in their segment in terms of fuel efficiency. Related Links Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Ford Owners Forum

New 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car Brings the “Stock Car” Back to NASCAR • Ford Racing unveils 2013 Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup redesign at Charlotte Motor Speedway during NASCAR Media Tour. • 2013 Sprint Cup car features full redesign by Ford designers to mirror 2013 Fusion production car and return brand identity to the track. • New Fusion race car will debut at Daytona 500 in February, 2013. • Reveal will be streamed live at www.fordracing.com and www.facebook.com/OfficialFordRacing. Ford Fusion Forum - The 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup car, unveiled today as part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour, was worked on by Ford designers in an effort to bring brand identity back to the sport. The result is undeniable with the 2013 Sprint Cup car mirroring the recently unveiled 2013 Ford Fusion production car. Featuring a completely redesigned sleek new silhouette and fresh face, the 2013 Fusion Sprint Cup car was designed to be the face of a new era of stock car racing. ”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.” This marks the third time Ford simultaneously launched production and NASCAR versions of a new model. The first dual launch came in 1968, with the sleek fastback Ford Torino. Legendary NASCAR driver David Pearson drove the Torino to back-to-back NASCAR championships in 1968 and 1969. The second time came in 2006, when the then newly introduced Ford Fusion appeared in showrooms and on the track. Ford took a different approach with the development of the 2013 Fusion racer. Ford Design Center staff, led by Garen Nicoghosian, and Ford aerodynamicist Bernie Marcus, spent the past year doing the early design development, freeing up the Ford race teams to concentrate on weekly NASCAR competition. “This is a seminal moment in the sport where we had a chance to get it right once again and make sure the race cars are race versions of street cars. And I am proud because I believe we have accomplished just that,” continued Allison. “The 2013 Fusion is a stunning car and the 2013 NASCAR Fusion is even more stunning and I can’t wait to see it perform on the track and connect with race fans.” Ford designers, led by Nicoghosian, addressed three main issues to mirror the 2013 Sprint Cup Fusion to the 2013 production Fusion found on showroom floors. Design Features of the 2013 Fusion Sprint Cup Car Designers addressed the overall proportion of the race car to reflect proportions found in the production Fusion. Brand and design cues in the side of the vehicle. An identifiable front end grill with the distinctive look of a Ford. “It looks fun to drive and very much eager to go and tear up the track. It has a very aggressive stance from the outside and the inside. From all angles the vehicle exudes performance and I think it reflects our general attitude of how we go about setting up our cars very, very nicely,” said Nicoghosian. “It brings a certain level of nimbleness and lightness and agility to the NASCAR platform, much like we do in our production cars, because all of our production cars have that nimbleness and agility and eagerness about them.” The new NASCAR Fusion entries will be tested throughout the 2012 campaign in preparation for their racing debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 in February.

2013 Ford Fusion Design Videos Chris Hamilton on the design of the 2013 Ford Fusion. Ford Designer Gary Braddock Crafted an Interior for Driving in the 2013 Fusion. Ford's marketing chief Jim Farley on challenging expectations Raising the bar globally with Ford's head of product development, Derrick Kuzak

2013 Ford Fusion First Impression from Auto Extremst From the “Oh Shit, Now What?” File, the real Detroit Auto Show opened with Ford unveiling its drop-dead gorgeous Fusion, a stunning design and content statement that left every other automaker in the mid-size segment reeling. Suddenly the Malibu doesn’t reach far enough, the Sonata seems stale and the Camry looks easily ten years old. Ford matched the significance of the Fusion with a brilliantly executed reveal “in the round” in the Joe Louis Arena. (Oh, if only some of the other manufacturers would pay heed and take some notes so we might have been spared from some of the horrific atrocities that we had to sit through just to get a look at a new car. Geez.) The Fusion isn’t just a grand slam home run, folks. No, it is an emphatic reminder to everyone in the business that if they were counting on Ford to pull up lame with a sudden dose of incompetence and loss of focus, they’re sadly mistaken. More at Auto Extremist

Some Chevy dealers rejecting further Volt allocations Auto Blog / Zach Bowman General Motors is having a hard time with the Chevrolet Volt. First, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe into the vehicle over the possibility of post-crash fires, and now some of its dealers are refusing to take their allocations of the extended-range plug-in hybrid. READ MORE HERE

GM’s flop in green NY Post / Patrick Michaels At the Detroit Auto Show this week, CEO Dan Akerson admitted that General Motors may have to cut back production of the Chevrolet Volt because the 4,600-plus Volts on the market now are about three times the monthly sales. Other figures put the GM hybrid car’s inventory at an outrageous 120-plus days. By most accounts, “Government Motors” has stuck with the Volt mainly to please the Obama administration, which still owns a third of its stock in the wake of the 2009 government “rescue” of the company. But just how badly is the effort faring? Well, consider the 1,529 sold in December. READ MORE HERE

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