Fusion to Introduce New Blue-Oval Brand Image

Ford has a new man in charge of North American design, Peter Horbury, and the upcoming Fusion will be his first stab at remaking the blue oval brands image.

First indications of market response to the Fusion are causing analysts to believe that the person who oversaw design of Fords Premier Auto Group in 2002, and its Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands, has created a midsize sedan with a great deal of segment appeal.

Its base price of $17,995 should only heighten interest of new car buyers, currently shopping at Honda, Toyota and Mazda stores for a midsize sedan previous purchased from domestic dealers. Now

The upcoming Fusion will be Peter Horburys first stab at remaking the blue oval brands image. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

But the Fusion wont make it necessary for Ford dealers to sharpen their pencils on every deal, as its high style and award-winning Mazda6 roots will give dealers something more to sell than just incentive programs. Thats right, the new Fusion shares much with

Its base price of $17,995 should only heighten interest of new car buyers, which should help Ford reach its targets of 160,000 Fusions sold annually. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

But while based on the Mazda6 architecture, one of the smallest high-volume midsize entries, the Fusion is longer and wider, plus longer and wider than the top-selling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord too. Its overall height, however, is the lowest of the three, giving it an especially

The new Ford delivers high quality materials and superb interior fit and finish, in the same league as the Mazda6, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, and better than many other rivals. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Still, it doesnt give up much in headroom, and its rear seat legroom is adequate enough for even larger adults. Ford went so far as to make sure someone with size fourteen feet could enter and exit the rear seating area without getting his shoes caught up on the B-pillar scuff plate or the back of the front seat.

Those that want to buy domestic to bolster the economy but arent willing to put up with shoddy workmanship compared to top-tier Japanese rivals can rest assured, they wont be making concessions

The Fusion offers a distinctly European feel as well, in design and interior layout. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

It offers a distinctly European feel as well, in design and interior layout. Controls and switchgear are intuitively position, well within reach of even smallish drivers, with large knobs and buttons for climate control, audio system and other ancillary feature actuation.

Its layout is simple, yet clean and elegant. Theres no clutter, and surface treatments, such as brushed aluminum or the optional piano black lacquer, dress it up nicely.

The tall

The Fusions 2.3-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder should keep it in the running with its rivals. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

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