I would much rather have a Fusion hybrid over a Prius. It doesn’t look nearly as stupid.

#1 among companies dat don’t suck!

Gee Honda and Ford sure don’t sell many Hybrids considering all the press they get for them

I’ll say this about a new Ford product – I was very very suprised by how nice the new Taurus looks inside. Very good job on Ford’s part. The front end looks good too, I just am not thrilled with all the lines and curves on the sides and back end. Ford gave us one to test out for like 6 months where I work, and it’s now parked next to a 09 Maxima and the Maxima looks misplaced next to it. The Ford has more presence and sitting/driving both has me convinced Ford is onto something.

Wow there IS hope for the public perception of the domestics. This is nice to see.

Jake did you like the massaging seats in that Taurus?

surprisingly enough, the dbag comments continually issued here don’t represent the actual buying public…who would’ve thunk it…

I’m sorry – but if someone had a gun to my head and told me to choose between Ford or GM on who lives and who goes out of business, I’d pick Ford to live.

And yes, Bubs, the messaging seats were a nice perk

Go Ford! I definitely think that’s a goal that Ford can achieve without too much difficulty if they keep up the good work. Too bad the media still gives all their attention to Toyonda like DenverGuy mentioned, maybe that will change if Ford takes the number 2 spot.

@LWA: Do we hurt your precious feelings when we say Toyota’s look like sh*t? Awww poor cry baby.

I think LWA was making fun of Ford bashers… Not bashing Ford…

05Z88, he was talking about Ford!

-iluvamcars

Who the hell would choose a Prius over a Fusion or Civic/Insight hybrid? I think Toyota sales are so good because people perceive them to have the most gas efficiency and reliability. But Honda has proved to be more reliable over and over again. And Ford is not that far off themselves. Plus you don’t look like en environmental nutjob while driving a Fusion hybrid. Kind of like owning an Apple computer, you look cool with the latest technologies while actually helping out the environment and achieving high gas mileage.

There should also be a new Lincoln hybrid before long. I hear it runs on battery power and vast quantities of plankton filtered through its grill.

Yeah, LWA isn’t one to criticise Ford for their improvements – especially with fuel effeciency

My bad then. Sorry LWA.

If for puts out more hybrid vehicles they could easily over take Honda. they don’t have to many different hybrids. they need a small hybrid then the fusion or like the focus. they been makeing good hybrids but there missing a key market with out a small one.

Somebody has to be second-best
If it’s not Honda, it’s proof they dropped the ball

If Ford is passing you, you just %$#@ed up
DrFill

This is a car that I would like to see Ford Australia add to its line up. I think the fusion has some potential here, unfortuantly for us there is no Right hand drive version. Swap you guys, we send you the Falcon and you send us some Fusions.

Drfill spare us your dreariness sir. Ford is on a roll because they put their own back to the wall and then got a guy who did’nt know anything about the FUW detroit execs typically think good for him he did’nt. Understood the airplane business and applied what was logical in from a Good business Model and then applied that to the car business and that is first make sure you balance your business work sheet- reduce you expenses to match your output. Then go to work addressing what consumers want most from your business which is cars, and benchmark the best product -set the standard. And Ford is leading the way to EXCELLENCE! YES you heard that Right Excellence in the Automotive world.
Do things the right way or excellence is something that GM still lacks DRFillerup. Mkay!

Mullaly is doing a great job, and I think as long as the Ford Kids realize just because their the heirs they can do wrong if they try to run things in the great grand fathers company without any true knowlegde or foresight as to where the business of people transportation is going. By Ground or other means. Honda is exploring Business jets..ah but they have take their time before rushing into it.

KarLoveBoy88 my sentiments exactly you don’t look like your a greenspeace advocate driving your prius or being on the far left. I do think Though that Toyota makes a Good Product in the Prius, but you feel a little more comfortable in the Ford Fusion Hybrid and on that subject I had a Ford Fusion Hybrid pass me on the Road. All these New Fusions look Ford Fantastic! GO FORD MOTOR USA GO! Now introduce the Fusion, Taurus, Falcon, and KA to the Chinese and let us get some of the foreign goodies too!

bghewy I did’n t even see that coming. Alright. Yeah I would like to see the 422 HP + Here and lets stand another 78 Ponies for good measure so to let GM boys who’s in control!

I mean bghewy I want to see that Australian Ford Falcon FPE or XR8 muscle sedan in an even more potent form of 600 HP with a Performance based AWD System. But yes would love to send you Aussies the great new Ford Fusion I think you would like it. I think their great cars. Go Ford Go!
I want to see Ford put the Twin Force in their and beef it up to 375 to 420HP V6 and then we got some real firepower.

lol…no worries, man, it’s all good…but you should know by now i don’t have feelings!! i’m a ford shareholder, anyway, so…yeah…not going to bash ‘em too much – and only when deserved, hopefully ;P

This would have to be one of the best looking and quality looking vehicle that I have seen come out of the US in a long time. As someone mentioned on a previous post, Australian’s do demand quite a lot from there cars in terms of quality, reliability and value for money. That is why the Japanese makers are so strong here. The few examples of American cars that we have available on the market here in Australia are unfortunately do not meet many of the expectations of most Australians. In terms of Ford upping the power in the Falcon. They are being very cautious not to get into a power war with HSV (Holden Special Vehicles). What we may see here in Australia soon is Ford dropping the V8 from its product line up and the only way to get a Ford V8 will be through FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles). Leaving the Turbo inline six as the top engine in the basic Ford Falcon range. Very soon they will be putting a 2lt 4 cylinder turbo into the Falcon as well to give Australians a family size car with 4 cylinder fuel economy. For those of you interested in the Australian market i will post the sales figures each month if you like so you can see what I mean about the Japanese dominance here.

Cheers.

I like the Ford Fusion Hybrid. It has all the elements of a good car, not just a hybrid. If I were to buy any hybrid. I would pick the Ford Fusion.

Ford sucks! Why even call it a Ford,they bought the technology from Toyota.Why don’t they call it Pius II?
Why do these assclowns get credit for something they didn’t invent?

If I were to buy any Hybrid, I’d get a Jetta TDI. Righto.

bghewy we have had a similar problem with Imports taking more sales here in the USA when Ford Motor Gave up the Ghost back when both jack Telnack-Chief Engineer at Ford Motor left (Retired in 1997) and Just after he ushered in America’s Best Selling Sedan for the Next decade starting in 1985 witih the Premiere of the Ford Taurus and then compliment it with the World’s Best Selling car in the First True “World Car” In the Ford Focus in 1998 althought was retired in 1997 its credited to him. But you should be aware that the First True World car sold in all markets in the FOCUS the styling had been overseen by Jack Telnack and executed by Claude Lobo and Australian designer, John Doughty at that time. The company took a Turn for the Worse when they started the aquisition non sense that Jacques Nasser started in 1998 the year before he became CEO of Ford – he is of Lebanon Decent but was raised in Australia. I think he did it partially because the Ford Kids wanted to collect Luxury automotive brands like Land Rover, and Jaguar, and Volvo. But it did not serve Ford well. The Hands were’nt talking to the feet in the company and the company ignore what the mass consumer really wanted their Domestic and International Product Portfolio died on the vine so to speak during the time period between 2000 to about 2007. It was either poorly concieved or done at the Whims of the Ford Kids who did’nt know what the customer truly wanted. Mulally in a way is perfect for the Job he is not stymied by the typical Detroit car mentality so he is already thinking out of the box. Knows the Aircraft industry at Boeing coming out with the 787 Dreamliner in his credit, and has applied how to run a business to the car industry. He wants leading edge product out there. And that is the way to run any business is simply be the absolute Best. Ignor the loud mouth next door neighbors at Garbage Motors and do it Right. And that is what I admire about CEO Alan Mulally. I think if you see what is coming. Honda is already doing it. Ford is taking suit. Its not just about cars and that is Transportation technology is merging and it can be done better and better and that involve the various Maths and sciences and physics disciplines of all form of Transportation on Land, Air, and Sea toi merge into the best technology. Well one guess what Honda does- ALL THRee Plus Robots I believe Ford is headed in that direction fast too. They should

along with the other Um GarbageMotorsMAN STFU. Ford’s Hybrid Technology is ALL FORD MOTOR not Toyota’s Get it right. DumbASS You obviously DON’T READ the News.

Bankruptcy2009, who taught you that words like “Robots”, “Whims”, “Hands”, and “Best” are words that should be capitalized? Pet peevin’ the hell out of me, but I mean c’mon.

You have to give Ford credit … they’ve earned it, and my respect. No bailout money, no whining like GM, no bull$#!t like Lutz. Gotta love ‘em!

fordman- Why is your name fordman?

I wish this was the last time I would explain this, but I know it won’t be. Ford made their own system, but it ended up being similar to Toyota’s and they shared patents. Look it up- if your a troll, you’ll come back and tell me they just copied everything.

Yeah, fordmans name has always confused me. But I ignore virtually everything he says because he really only knows how to say “Ford sucks!’.

Jay
Actually you’re both wrong
Ford licensed patented technologies from Toyota

That’s a lot different than “shared” patents”

Ford just has lithium-ion batteries they feel comfortable using
Toyota doesn’t have a supplier they feel they can use commercially
DrFill

Well Dr. Fill….you’re half right. Toyota also licensed patented technologies from Ford. Actually both Toyota’s and Ford’s basic hybrid technology comes from patented TRW work many years ago (which they are BOTH paying licensing on).

Toyota first sued Ford for the Escape, till they found out they were also infringing on Ford’s patents. That’s why they decided to share some of the patents (It’s called “cross-licensing”). Both Ford and Toyota are said to be content with the deal, and neither of them have to pay anything to the other.

Toyota is now getting sued (again) because they infringed on the Paice hybrid technology which went to trial Oct. 1st. Toyota lost the first time in 2005, but they are reported to have tried to use the patent technology from Paice again without permission or licensing. Toyota is currently under investigation from US trade officials (ITC).

jayjc08,1st off,Ford Sucks! The reason Ford’s technology is so similar to Toyota’s is because they copied it,got busted and bought the technology from Toyota. Did you ever notice how Ford lays in the weeds before they come out with new technology? Because they buy the competitions vehicles,backwards engineer it,try to steal it and if all else fails,they purchase the technology from competition. Can your simple little mind figure that out?

So Fordman. I suppose the Ecoboost engine is also some other manufacturers technology. That is why Ford has applied for a patent. All automobile manufacturers buy sell and trade technology. They also hire each others employees. Details on the bust please?

You Toyota fanboys realize that Toyota pays royalties on pretty much every single hybrid they sell in the US because they infringed on technology patented by an American company (Mentioned by TD1 above)? Yeah… Toyota is SO above using other peoples technology (And then fighting it tooth and nail in court)… BS fanboys! BS!

Also, most things I’ve read point to the story already mentioned by several people that Ford developed much of this technology on their own and only made licensing agreements with Toyota to avoid legal issues. This makes some sense to me, Toyota has been working their butts off to control as many patents even remotely related to hybrids. Why? Because they want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to make hybrids without going through them. They’ve managed to make it pretty darned near impossible to design a full hybrid system without risking infringing on SOMETHING they control.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124640553503576637.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Ouch Dr Fill, you got served.

2WheeledSpeed: Congrats. You have graduated basic economics 101. Your parents should be proud.

That how business works, dummy. A company will spend money to develop something that they feel others will want/need in the future. Then they will patent it and charge money for those people to have/use what they have made.

Don’t get butt hurt because a couple othe companies ignored the critics 20 years ago and decided to spend R&D money on a crazy idea like a hybrid.

The real problem is when random companies develop an idea without intentions of ever using it turn around and sue others who devleop the same idea to try to improve a product. That limits and scares away innovation. That is what Paice is doing.

People this is common News Pick up the paper ,Google, or visit Ford Motor’s Website- Here Fordman I’ll do the leg work for you . New Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs group will continue developing all company hybrids and related technology in-house. This is repeated several times in the new you Idiot. Learn to READ SFB. But Ford Motor has Developed their own HYBRID TECHNOLOGY and NONE OF IT IS Toyota’s NO ChevyMan its NOT Reverse engineered either. Hey Chevyman how’s the UNEMPLOYMENT line! I bet IT SUCKS being a Laid off GM worker I’m sure. And you would know about that would’nt you!

Here is some Great New Ford Electric Tech headed our way. ALL IN HOUSE BY FORD MOTOR – Who else!

Battery electric Transit Connect small commercial van in 2010
Battery electric Ford Focus in 2011
Next generation hybrid in 2012
Plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012

Hey Fordman look up PHEV because you don’t know what that stands for.
DrFill your desperate for a slam and can’t find one too bad. Rejected AGAIN!

Bankruptcy2009, is News Pick the name of something??? IM SO CONFUSED BY YOUR CAPITALS!!!! OH NOOOO!

Sorry about them nasty capitals that annoy you so much A4 but if you don’t mind here is another one for Fordman who absoutely is a Devoted fan and loves his Fords so much.
FORD RULZ- THE WORLD!!!!!———–FORD MOTOR——————–FOUND ON the ROAD to Domination !!!

FORD’S NUMBER 1 FORD’S NUMBER 1 -GO USA!

Great Job FORD Let’s keep on going…

Breaking news: Ford sucks! Mike Rowe holds his nose when he’s next to a Ford because they smell like S!!t!

Um Chevyman AKA fordman nobody cares what you think. No Mike Rowe LOVES FORD. Your just a Whimp and a TROLL masquerading around here on LLN and other car sites as a fordguy but everyone knows your a LAID OFF GM UAW Worker and You have never used your brain in your life.

NOW Some real News fordman
The 2011 ord Fiesta is coming early 2010 its already the BEST SELLING CAR IN THE U.K. , RUSSIA, AND SOON THE WORLD, and it will be the BEST SELLING CAR IN THE US. BUT ONCE YOUR THE BEST SELLING GLOBAL CAR WORLDWIDE —Then you have shown your the BEST of the BEST!
SO NOW HOW ARE YOU “L-I-K-I–N-G” ME fordman! GOOD!

Can you say FORD FIESTA “Rules the World” fordman man sure you can your a ford guy remember!
Ford Motor Rocks!