Fusion or Mondeo??

mitch · 08-02-2013, 06:32 PM

Was at a southern Perth metro dealer today getting some work done to my PJ Ranger (yep EGR valve). While i was waiting for a lift i decided to check out some of the new cars in the yard. Just admiring an FG11 XR6 and a new car salesman came over for a chat.
We talked about all the regular things ie. Good supply of the thai built Focus, not so good supply of PX Rangers, complete and utter lack of ecoboost Falcons in the yard for me to take for a test drive. (when i said ecoboost he thought i was talking about a Mondeo , like he didnt expect anyone to even know about a 4 cylinder Falcon).

Anyway cut a long story short, when we started yarning about the Mondeo he mentioned that there is a new model coming (i looked suitably surprised by this bombshell). Now the young fellas on a roll and told me that at a dealers meeting he was at, it was said this model would be called the Fusion, now i WAS surprised as i assumed the Modeo name was staying with the new model.

Has anyone else heard this? I think if its true it would be a great idea as the Mondeo Badge has never done a thing for me.
Ford Fusion sounds modern and edgy to me, great way to introduce a "new" Ford to Australia

FPV GTHO · 08-02-2013, 06:50 PM

It seems to be gathering momentum to change the name. I don't know if Fusion is built in RHD or if we'd simply take RHD Mondeo with different badges.

They may not have much choice though as last i heard next gen Mondeo production in Europe isn't scheduled to 2014 now and could've delayed even further whilst Fusion is already in production stateside.

BAFrod · 08-02-2013, 07:42 PM

It wouldn't cost them a great deal in terms of marketing/badging to call it the "Fusion" instead of Mondeo. The way I understand it, the name has only ever held traction in the EU.

Calling it Fusion would be a good move. It's undoubtedly one of the best-looking sedans produced in years, you need to live up to that by presenting it as a revolutionary product, and that can only be done with a new name.

LeadFoot81 · 08-02-2013, 07:45 PM

Fusion is a cracker of a name and I'd like to see Ford Oz use it here.

Joe5619 · 08-02-2013, 08:01 PM

Fusion is a seden only. We get Mondeo Hatch & Wagen, so I can't see the it happening.

LeadFoot81 · 08-02-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Fusion is a seden only. We get Mondeo Hatch & Wagen, so I can't see the it happening.

Fusion and Mondeo are one and the same. Even though the yanks don't get the wagon or the hatch we'd still get them (Mondeo wagon and hatch) badged as Fusions.

jpd80 · 08-02-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Fusion and Mondeo are one and the same. Even though the yanks don't get the wagon or the hatch we'd still get them (Mondeo wagon and hatch) badged as Fusions.

They are different, Mondeo has provisioning for added pedestrian crash safety..

Before, Christmas, a US photographer snapped a Ranger support vehicle with Ecosport in tow
along with two Fusion sedans, all three vehicles were camoed, strange for US Fusions, hey...
So either our next mid sized car is coming from Hermosillo or more likely, Flat Rock..

BDA074 · 08-02-2013, 10:31 PM

Fusion name for me!
Hopefully they come from the US and soon.
They can bring the Hybrid with it too!

Road_Warrior · 08-02-2013, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

So either our next mid sized car is coming from Hermosillo or more likely, Flat Rock..

...or Broadmeadows...

Rico 110s · 09-02-2013, 12:28 AM

Deleted.

Moby Vic · 09-02-2013, 09:49 AM

The US got the refresh first this time. The next Mondeo will be the same as our current Fusion. Everything I've read says it will still be called the Mondeo outside the US, though.

They sell lots of Mondeos in England, so I'm sure there will be a RHD version.

XR Martin · 09-02-2013, 10:12 AM

If we get it from the US that would mean no diesel.

Moby Vic · 09-02-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

If we get it from the US that would mean no diesel.

You won't get it from the US any more than you get the Focus from the US. Europe (and Australia) get different versions of the Focus than we get, but it's on the same chassis now. There will still be body styles and engine options tailored to individual markets.

Under Mulally, Ford has become very aggressive about chassis reduction and platform sharing. William Clay Ford Jr. was puzzled when he couldn't get a good answer about why the American Focus was two or three generations behind the version the rest of the world got.

jpd80 · 09-02-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

You won't get it from the US any more than you get the Focus from the US. Europe (and Australia) get different versions of the Focus than we get, but it's on the same chassis now. There will still be body styles and engine options tailored to individual markets.

Insider info that Ford Asia Pacific CD4 wiring harnesses in North American parts allocation, something is up,
it might be to do with bundling supplies through common source or it could be more than that.

Do we really think Ford Aust will continue sourcing Mondeo from FoE given so much trouble with supplies?

Road_Warrior · 09-02-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Insider info that Ford Asia Pacific CD4 wiring harnesses in North American parts allocation, something is up,
it might be to do with bundling supplies through common source or it could be more than that.

Do we really think Ford Aust will continue sourcing Mondeo from FoE given so much trouble with supplies?

Certainly lends credence to the theory the Mondeo nameplate will be pensioned off.

Joe5619 · 09-02-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Insider info that Ford Asia Pacific CD4 wiring harnesses in North American parts allocation, something is up,
it might be to do with bundling supplies through common source or it could be more than that.

Do we really think Ford Aust will continue sourcing Mondeo from FoE given so much trouble with supplies?

But USA Fusion is Sedan only. We get Hatch & Wagon currently. Is the USA market getting a new Fusion hatch & Wagon? If not, I can't see them building them just for Australia. If the switch is on, we'll only get Sedan too?

jpd80 · 09-02-2013, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

But USA Fusion is Sedan only. We get Hatch & Wagon currently. Is the USA market getting a new Fusion hatch & Wagon? If not, I can't see them building them just for Australia. If the switch is on, we'll only get Sedan too?

Camry and Accord don't seem to need them but what I was suggesting is that Hermosillo
may become a Fusion/Mondeo plant building multiple vehicles for markets outside North America,
especially with Flat Rock (Detroit) Fusion production coming on line later this year..

jpd80 · 09-02-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

If we get it from the US that would mean no diesel.

Hermosillo to start producing Mondeo variants once Flat Rock begins production for USA?

jpd80 · 09-02-2013, 12:52 PM

Or what about a Fusion Hybrid to go up against Camry?

BDA074 · 09-02-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Or what about a Fusion Hybrid to go up against Camry?

Exactly what I said! Great plan!

BigAL_250 · 09-02-2013, 02:13 PM

I agree Mondeo would do better badged as a Fusion here, separate it from the god-awful Mondeo sold here in the 90's. This is a such a better car, and should not be ever compared to that. And falls into line nicely with the 'all our sedans/hatches should start with an F' which I like.

But what is everyone getting into a fuss about? Ooh, USA fusions are only LHD, and not in wagons... etc

Just take a RHD Mondeo built for European market, take off the Mondeo badge, and stick a Fusion one on instead. Job done.

Road_Warrior · 10-02-2013, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAL_250

But what is everyone getting into a fuss about? Ooh, USA fusions are only LHD, and not in wagons... etc

Just take a RHD Mondeo built for European market, take off the Mondeo badge, and stick a Fusion one on instead. Job done.

The issue is Mondeos from Europe are going to be difficult to get. Genk, where the Mondeo is made, is being shuttered and I don't know if the workers are still on strike.

Mad_Pom · 10-02-2013, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

The issue is Mondeos from Europe are going to be difficult to get. Genk, where the Mondeo is made, is being shuttered and I don't know if the workers are still on strike.

They started producing Cars on Jan 22nd, after a 3 month union stand off. Was all over the automotive press

TC200six · 09-02-2013, 10:57 PM

The outgoing Mondeo uses the EUCD platform. While the new Mondeo will use the Fusion's new CD4 platform and will basically be the same car.

I think it's a great idea, as years ago I wondered why Ford had two similar sized FWD cars sold in different regions, but shared nothing in common other than the badge.

As for what name they should use here, I don't really care. Although Fusion would be cool due to the Ambrose connection.

NX74205 · 09-02-2013, 11:17 PM

I'm going against the trend here, but I think they should keep the Mondeo name. Forget the 1990s first generation Mondeo - yes, that wasn't a good car, granted - but there was a big gap between its demise in Australia and the 2007 re-launch with the Mk IV. The Mk IV Mondeo is a brilliant car. It wouldn't do the new car any harm to have it named as Mondeo. I don't think too many people would remember the 1990s Mondeo.

The Fusion hasn't established a name here. The Mondeo has. The first generation US Fusion isn't exactly a great car either, so I fail to see why it would be a better choice. Stick with Mondeo.

TC200six · 09-02-2013, 11:24 PM

Plus, at one point late last year, Ford Australia's main page had a picture of the CD4 Mondeo as a "Mondeo". So it's unlikely that Ford would be considering any name changes.

FalconXV · 10-02-2013, 03:33 AM

Great idea I reckon. Can anyone confirm that Europe is getting the sedan body too? It looks far more elegant than the hatch. I really hope we get the 1.0 Ecoboost aswell.

AG3 · 10-02-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Great idea I reckon. Can anyone confirm that Europe is getting the sedan body too? It looks far more elegant than the hatch. I really hope we get the 1.0 Ecoboost aswell.

It seems that Europe is expected to get all body styles.

Quote:

Built on Ford's global CD-segment platform, the refined new version of the Ford flagship will be available as a five-door and wagon - uniquely developed for Europe - as well as a four-door that will also be offered as segment-first petrol Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV).

- http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2013-mondeo/

FalconXV · 10-02-2013, 07:35 AM

What a brilliant looking car! FoA would have to reconsider the sedan, now that it is that much more appealing. I eagerly await to see the first drives of the 1.0 Ecoboost version, if they pull that off.
Where will ours be sourced from? I can't see Spain as a sustainable source, unless they continue to import just hatch and wagon- things like that to limit volume/demand.