2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid on the street.

I agree. Ford has a lot of great vehicles, whether gas is cheap or expensive. Their vehicles are generally cheap, and being made in America, you can get parts fast and cheap.

Chevy, they have the Suburban....and thats pretty much it. I mean, I see a lot of Chevy pickups all over, but most of them are real old.

Chrysler? Ha! Their only popular vehicle is the PT Cruiser, which is just weird. It looks bad, and when you get in, the controls are all in the wrong places. I'd rather walk than drive a PT Cruiser. Forget Chrysler.

 

I don't know what Ford stock is selling at right now, but it's probably a good buy, since Ford stands the best chance of surviving. The American car companies have a much more extensive dealership network than the Japanese companies--especially in smaller towns across the country. That's a big advantage. The oil companies are another great stock bargain right now--they have tons of cash to invest any way they please. And that fellow Slim Pickens' company is a good investment. I saw him talk last night, and he seems to know a lot about energy and has Obama's ear.

 

A few years ago, a Detroit engineer who worked for Ford told me Ford was just behind Honda and Toyota in quality--no.3. The best of the American car companies.

 

Actually, the Malibu is Chevy's strong seller. The hybrid version should do well once they hit the road.

IMO, the Town & Country minivan will be Chrysler's savior, along with the Jeep brand.

 

I like the new Fusion Hybrid looks and the details for the hybrid system but the back seat does not fold down so that almost rules it out for me. This is too bad since it seems like a nice car.

 

Yeah I see a few Malibus here and there, no doubt a hybrid version would be real nice. Its something I would definitely consider.

Wow, I can't believe I forgot the Jeep brand. Of course, even during high gas prices I saw new Wranglers. Some rich folks prefer Cherokees over Lexus' too.

Still though, all the T&C's I've seen look like they are from the eighties.

If Chrysler comes out with a hybrid Wrangler though, that would be pretty nice. Jeeps seem to only get 14mpg no matter what you do, or whichever one you have.

 

The Malibu hybrid has been out for almost a year. Its a slow seller mostly because they refuse to discount it and its poor 4 speed transmission hurts its mpg. If they put a six speed in it that would help.

 

There was a Fusion hybrid at the SF auto show. I wanted to sit in it, but they wouldn't let me, nor anyone else. So, I sat in the Malibooboo hybrid instead. I'm about 6ft.3in, tall, yeah, but the Malibu headroom was kinda paltry in the rear seats.

Oh, Hank the Ford Robot was seriously cool

 

Check out what Chrysler has been working on:

https://www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/overview/

 

Actually, the really interesting model of the new mid-model change Ford Fusion line is the new 2.5-liter I-4 with the six-speed automatic.

It's reasonably powerful (the engine is rated at 170 bhp), but with the 6AT transmission it also means over 30 mpg in the EPA 2008 fuel economy rating, pretty good considering how strict the EPA 2008 test has become (it's probably the most strict fuel economy test in the world).

In short, while GM is still years away from offering better small cars for American buyers (it's still unknown when can GM start producing the promising Chevrolet Cruze at their Lordstown, OH assembly line), Ford not only has improved the fuel economy of the Fusion (which is probably Ford's best-quality family car for the US market) but also has in the pipeline the new 2011 Fiesta (coming January 2010) and the third-generation Focus (coming fall 2010). The best thing about the 2011 Fiesta for the North American market: the decision to use the Ford/Getrag Powershift six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which means the Fiesta could likely get over 40 mpg in the EPA 2008 test for highway mileage, a major feat considering this is not a hybrid drivetrain.

 

Wow, that Wrangler hybrid is going to be insane! I wonder if it can actually grip the road in rainy weather unlike my old Cherokee.

 

Ugh Built on the same platform as a Volvo S60. My mom has one of those GREAT CAR. But NO rear legroom. lol, but seriously this fusion hybrid looks awsome!!!

 

GM has the Malibu. It ranked #1 in JD Powers initial quality for 2008. (The Ford Fusion was #3) It comes with a 2.4L I4 engine making 160 HP. This engine is mated to a 6 speed automatic transaxle and rated at 22/26/33 MPG by the EPA.

The Chevy Cruze in currently in production for the Asian market. The North American introduction has been pushed back from 2009 to 2010. That puts it on the same timetable as the new Ford Focus.

GM confirms delays for Cruze, CTS Coupe and Saab models - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots
GM launches Cruze in South Korea, more than two years to go for U.S. - [2011 Chevrolet Cruze] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

EDIT: The European introduction of the Cruze is back on schedule: April 2009
http://www.motorauthority.com/european-launch-for-chevrolet-cruze-is-on-track-for-april-2009.html

 

My big concern about the Malibu with the I-4 engine is that given the weight of the Malibu, even with the 160 bhp engine the car is just a bit underpowered. :nono: The Fusion--being a somewhat lighter car--won't feel so flat-footed with the 170 bhp I-4 and 6AT transmission.

Also, given GM's precarious financial situation, who knows how will GM pay for the upgrade of its Lordstown, OH assembly to build the Cruze. The Cruze is definitely a winner, but may be too late to save GM.

 

too late for GM (new models) but no for the EXECs

With all these new models everyone is talking about, the problem is TIME & Fluid money from the customers.

Without the bail-out, GM says they will go bankrupt by the end of the year.
I hear that they only had 4 billion to play with until they are out of cash.

So even with 1/3 or 1/2 of the 35 Billion they are asking for, say they get 15 billion. With the current spending rate, they will be out of cash by April.
I do not think they will find a buyer for SATURN to make money.
If there is no change in the heavy LEGACY costs, the rate of decline will be the same.

So do you think GM can make enough of these new cars by April 2009? Doubt it. Look how long it is taking to get the 3rd Gen PRIUS to market, and that is without major improvements like Lithium Ion/Plug-In.

Even if they could, do you think that people in a RECESSION will go out an buy a NEW car with a "maybe" WARRANTY (if the company folds)? People are going to wait and buy a good used car.

Only the the people with fun money will buy these cars. Oh, those people will also be worried about an Obama tax on the rich, so they too will have to think twice about a car purchase.

It takes a huge amount of TIME & Money to retool to make a new car, market it, then distribute it. I hear of no waiting lists for these new cars yet?

Oh, the GM will also limit which markets these cars will be sold like they did with some of the hybrids i.e. "malibu"

A 2nd bail out request will follow during spring/summer 2009 so that Obama can claim to have saved 1.3 million jobs during his term. That is all using YOUR Taxpayer Money. Only to again, in 6 months be faced with another bankruptcy situation. Here is the 3rd bailout request, but since it is now so heavily government controlled, it will not be a bailout but a reallocation of tax dollars. No vote will be required, it will just be part of the budget by then.

The GM EXEC may only ask for a Salary of $1 annually, he gets "PAID" big time in STOCK OPTIONS.

Right now those options are worth nothing. The EXECs just want to raise the stocks up slightly then BAILOUT before the SHIP sinks. How much do you want to bet that once the bailout is approved, 1 or 2 EXECs will voluntarily resign or mysteriously get kicked out.

The Bailout will only benefit the top execs and those speculating on the stock.

I wish GM, FORD and Chrysler all the best, but not on MY DIME.
NO BAILOUT!!!

P.S. Used to be a loyal vehicle owner of the above companies until they lost my trust & respect.

I cannot wait for the original co-founder of Tesla, Martin Eberhard, to seize this moment and make it big. Pull a Steve Jobs on Tesla. Make a run for the money & Tesla will be calling for you to return when they fail to succeed with out you.

 

True, the Fusion is 200 lb lighter than the Malibu and 70 lb lighter than a Camry. (BTW I mixed up the HP and torque on the Malibu. The correct figures are 169 hp / 160 lb-ft)

----------------- LB ---------- HP ----------- LB/HP
Fusion -------- 3238 -------- 170 ---------- 19.05
Camry -------- 3307 -------- 158 ---------- 20.93
Malibu ---------3436 -------- 169 ---------- 20.33

Given that I currently drive a 3200 lb car with a 90 HP engine I'm not sure how a 170 hp car could be underpowered. Each to their own I guess.

 

I am still driving a 1988 Merc Tracer

 

I know first hand that GM is already tooling up for the Cruze and has been for several months now.

 

I have driven a Fusion as a rental and it is pretty roomy. I would say roomier than a TCH. The ride is really European and that is one thing that I really like about it. I would have to see the real world numbers on this thing. Also, please make it so the rear seats can fold down.

 

This is a brilliant advancement for Ford. Nicely done.

Now the ball is in Toyota's court to retake the lead in the midsized vehicle segment.

The Fusion is the competitor to the Camry. The Taurus is the competitor to the Avalon. The FFH makes perfect sense at the competitor to the TCH.

Good times are coming ahead. Assuming GM makes it through the mess that they're in I'd expect a fast track for the Malibu 2-Mode which is every bit as good as both of the other two.

TCH, FFH, NAH and then M2-M. These of course in addition to the Gen 3 Prius and the Insight II.