Ford Fusion beats Camry, Accord in fuel economy
01-09-2009 | 11:08 PM
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Ford Fusion beats Camry, Accord in fuel economy
Ford Motor Co. delivered a one-two punch to Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. today, announcing that the new 2010 Ford Fusion gets better gas mileage than either the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord just weeks after the Fusion Hybrid beat the Camry Hybrid in the government's fuel economy ratings.
That makes the Fusion the most economical mid-sized sedan in America, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's mileage ratings. And while that might seem less critical to the car's success now that gasoline is back below $2 a gallon, the Dearborn automaker says mileage matters more than ever to American motorists.
"Gas prices will continue to fluctuate, but the only place they're going to go is up. Consumers recognize that," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain operations at Ford. "We're set up very, very well for when gas prices start to climb again."
She noted that they already are and said that Ford is committed to giving all of its major engines best-in-class or near-best-in-class fuel economy.
That said, she admitted that this victory was a bit of a surprise. The target for the Fusion's 2.5-liter four-cylinder offering was to match the Camry's 33 m.p.g. On Wednesday, the Fusion team met with her and Ford's head of global product development, Derrick Kuzak, and told them they thought they could get the car certified at 34 m.p.g. on the highway.
"They said, 'Should we go for it?' And we're like, "Ya, go for it!'" Samardzich said.
Eking out that extra mile per gallon was the result of a lot of attention to detail, she said. In this case, the Fusion team was able to work with the tire supplier to deliver a lower rolling resistance. Ford also used a more aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff setting.
Toyota has reacted cooly to Ford's mileage claims. It acknowledges that the Fusion Hybrid beat the Camry Hybrid, but says its Prius has the best gas mileage of any midsized sedan.
"For me, a sedan is a four door with a trunk. The last time I looked at a Prius it didn't have a trunk," Samardzich said, though she added that she did not mind Toyota's rebuttal. "I don't think they used to pay that close attention to anything we announced -- and they're paying attention now. I'm kind of flattered by that."
That makes the Fusion the most economical mid-sized sedan in America, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's mileage ratings. And while that might seem less critical to the car's success now that gasoline is back below $2 a gallon, the Dearborn automaker says mileage matters more than ever to American motorists.
"Gas prices will continue to fluctuate, but the only place they're going to go is up. Consumers recognize that," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain operations at Ford. "We're set up very, very well for when gas prices start to climb again."
She noted that they already are and said that Ford is committed to giving all of its major engines best-in-class or near-best-in-class fuel economy.
That said, she admitted that this victory was a bit of a surprise. The target for the Fusion's 2.5-liter four-cylinder offering was to match the Camry's 33 m.p.g. On Wednesday, the Fusion team met with her and Ford's head of global product development, Derrick Kuzak, and told them they thought they could get the car certified at 34 m.p.g. on the highway.
"They said, 'Should we go for it?' And we're like, "Ya, go for it!'" Samardzich said.
Eking out that extra mile per gallon was the result of a lot of attention to detail, she said. In this case, the Fusion team was able to work with the tire supplier to deliver a lower rolling resistance. Ford also used a more aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff setting.
Toyota has reacted cooly to Ford's mileage claims. It acknowledges that the Fusion Hybrid beat the Camry Hybrid, but says its Prius has the best gas mileage of any midsized sedan.
"For me, a sedan is a four door with a trunk. The last time I looked at a Prius it didn't have a trunk," Samardzich said, though she added that she did not mind Toyota's rebuttal. "I don't think they used to pay that close attention to anything we announced -- and they're paying attention now. I'm kind of flattered by that."
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