DEARBORN, MI – Ford is taking extra care to ensure the market launch of the ’13 Fusion midsize sedan goes more smoothly than the introduction of the ’13 Escape cross/utility vehicle, which has been plagued by recalls.
“We’re doing a lot of work with our launch quality operating system and took some incremental actions (based on what) we’ve learned,” Raj Nair, Ford group vice president-global product development, says during a Fusion media event here today.
Nair declines to define what actions Ford is taking with the all-new Fusion’s launch that are different from those of the Escape.
The Escape, which was introduced in May, has been recalled several times. Earlier this month, models equipped with 1.6L direct-injected EcoBoost engines were called back because of a faulty cup plug in the cylinder head that could cause coolant to leak and cause a fire.
In July, early Escape units were recalled due to a faulty fuel line that could pose a fire risk. Ford took the unusual step of telling owners to stop driving their vehicles immediately. In the same month, about 10,000 units were recalled because of a brake interference issue.
“We’ve had a couple of quality issues there, but (they’ve been) relatively low volume,” Nair says. “But demand (for the Escape) has been really strong, and we’re pleased with how the launch is going.”
The executive admits Ford in recent years has “had issues we’re addressing,” but notes the auto maker is committed to ongoing quality improvement.
“We’ve had a real focus on quality of all our launches, and (the) Fusion is no exception,” he says. “We’re always looking for feedback and continuous improvement and applying that to new vehicles like the new Fusion and Escape.”
As with the Escape, a lot is riding on the new Fusion, which resides in the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. The auto maker expects the midsize sedan segment, which accounted for 2.1 million sales last year, to continue growing.
The Fusion’s share of the sector has doubled to 12% since it was introduced in 2006, and the car has set sales records in five of the first seven months of 2012.
“We’ve been successful with the current Fusion, and we have a lot of improvements with this one,” Nair says. “We think we’re in a really good position compared to the competition.”
The ’13 Fusion will be available with a number of powertrains, including a 1.6L EcoBoost inline 4-cyl., 2.0L EcoBoost I-4, 2.5L naturally aspirated I-4 and hybrid-electric and plug-in hybrid versions.
Nair says the 2.5L I-4 is expected to be the choice of most consumers, with the two EcoBoost engines as second choice.
He declines to reveal volume expectations for the electrified Fusions, but notes the hybrid’s 47 mpg (5.0 L/100 km) city/highway combined fuel-economy rating will help draw customers.
