Current Ford Mondeo will underpin the next Fusion
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Mondeo.
Since taking the reigns at FoMoCo, Alan Mulally has made it clear that one of the keys to Ford's resurgence is to leverage its assets abroad. Specifically, he wants to utilize the automaker's platform development in Europe to maximize engineering and manufacturing efficiency, creating several global models. While we're still waiting for Ford to ditch the old Focus platform for the Euro model's underpinnings, the next major implementation of Mulally's plan will come in the form of the next Ford Fusion, which will use the current Mondeo platform.
The CD3 platform, which is derived from the Mazda6 and underpins the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, will be abandoned in favor of the Mondeo's EUCD platform and will be the foundation for Ford's global mid-size/CD-segment vehicle. Ford of Europe has been tasked with reworking the platform for the U.S., which has been internally dubbed CD4. Expect the Mondeo-based Fusion to arrive in the U.S. in 2012 for the 2013 model year.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Mondeo
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Greg 2:04PM (1/19/2009)
Then why not just give us the award winning Mondeo?
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Nicolas 2:10PM (1/19/2009)
Exactly. Ford execs are moron.
The article should be "Current Ford Mondeo will BE the next Ford Fusion"
Joe 2:13PM (1/19/2009)
Because crash standards are very different in the US and abroad. The platform needs to be reworked, as necessary, tested, and crash certified by the NHTSB. They also need time to transition their plants to be able to build the car.
Stuff like this doesn't happen overnight, and while the upcoming 2010 Fusion might not be as good as the next Fusion, it's better than any other car in its segment, IMO.
Rich 2:16PM (1/19/2009)
Then why not, in time of crisis, allow exceptions for vehicle standards?
European standards are not less or more safe than US standards, they're just differently safe.
Randy 2:23PM (1/19/2009)
@Joe
Thanks for typing all that. I didn't have to! :) ^5
rypt 3:35PM (1/19/2009)
Not that much needs to be changed safety wise. The lights need changing, as do the bumpers but nothing major
Snark 4:00PM (1/19/2009)
What do we need it for? The Fusion, as it stands right now, leads the class in efficiency and quality, so what possible use would we have for a smaller, dowdier-looking Mondeo that doesn't have a V6 option, couldn't be sold for the same price as its non-European built competition, can't be built in the US, and doesn't offer what US buyers want at a price we're willing to pay?
Jesus, you Euro-leghumpers drive me bonkers. The Mondeo is totally ordinary. I've driven it, it's a nice car, but it's no different than any other midsize sedan. It's a Passat in a different wrapper. Big deal.
Joe 4:32PM (1/19/2009)
@Rich...
I don't know. Why don't you lobby Congress and the NHTSB to relax their standards instead of gradually increasing them each year and incorporating more safety features as we go?
zamafir 4:38PM (1/19/2009)
@Rich, I'm guessing most likely because other automakers aren't having issues meeting them and keeping their companies afloat. Ford's the best off of our domestic brands, if it made financial sense to bring it over as is, they would. As it stands, it doesn't, and it makes a tremendous amount of sense to adapt an existing platform, just as VAG does for VW or Mercedes did for Chrysler with the 300.
Judy Zik 4:58PM (1/19/2009)
Why does everyone assume that because it comes from Europe or Austraila it is better? The 2010 Fusion is amazing. Ford has an awesome mid size car to finally complete with a Hybrid and AWD model and people are still looking for a Euro model? After seeing the new Fusion I am in no hurry to see it replaced by the Mondeo. I was even shocked to see how well they were marketing it. In a stroke of genius at 15mins to the hour every hour at the Auto Show this weekend they handed out blue tshirts to the audience watching the Fusion demo. The tshirts had different sayings. We got ones that said "Fusion knocks Camry and Accord into the previous model year". If you wore the tshirts around the auto show they had Ford folks who if they saw you at a competitors booth with one on would ask you a question like the city mpg for the new Fusion and if you got it right you got a $25 gas card (we won one). It was brilliant because you ended up with about 10% of the public roaming the show with Blue Ford shirts on and trying to memorize things like mpgs on their new model. It really stood out compared to the mood at some of the other displays.
Correct me if I am wrong but I don't remember hearing about an AWD or Hybrid Mondeo. Don't know if the platform was developed with either in mind so there would be some reworking to adapt it for the Fusion.
This is about long term strategic planning and it is old news. Ford already said the next generation Fusion and Mondeo would share a platform as will the Euro and NA Focus. It's about planning for the next Fusion not flying over Mondeos to replace the one they have. I would expect by that time it will be a different Mondeo anyway.
Kitko 5:00PM (1/19/2009)
For example, US and European Mazda3 were/are the same car. Bumper standards were different for Canada until last year, and engines were tuned to comply with different emission standards, but they differ from state to state in the US as well, e.g. you could get previous Mazda6 in California as PZE vehicle. Canadian Mazda 3 has thicker rear bumper than my Euro Mazda 3. Euquipment levels do differ but that has nothing to do with standards.
Another point - grey imports from the US to Europe are booming, people are importing mostly cars that are already available in Europe - Mercedeses, Mazdas, Toyotas, Volvos... - cars can be legally registered after few minor mods, rear fog lamps, yellow indicators... but that's about it. Another proof that global cars are developed as trully global with minimal differences.
It's about being smart and develop a car that would comply with most of the markets you want to sell it at. That minimizes development costs.
Nr9 2:08PM (1/19/2009)
so they are giving up double wishbone front suspensions for macpherson struts?
seems like a downgrade to me.
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Red 2:44PM (1/19/2009)
Depends on how it's tuned. BMW does tuned struts quite well, generally. Packaging simplicity and cost are the obvious benefits and thus, to the manufacturer and possibly to the end customer would be the "upgrade", not the downgrade.
Kumail 2:10PM (1/19/2009)
i think someone at ford started to read autoblog...
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Other Man 2:13PM (1/19/2009)
Why not just bring it over?
But YESSSSSSSS!!! Been a long time coming. The only thing is this might kill off plans for the EcoBoost AWD Fusion with 340 hp. I really was hoping for that.
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Matt 2:18PM (1/19/2009)
Finally, Ford does something right.
Now, cross your fingers and hope they don't screw it up.
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maestro mario 6:44PM (1/19/2009)
Wo-hoo! Countour and Mystiques are back. (Euh... Is that a good news?! ;-)
Lesson #1: How to adapt a car for the US market.
1- Take a Japanese or european car.
2- Make it longer and larger.
3- Put a larger engine to offset the heavyer body
4- Soften suspension and larger seats.
5- Simplify it's style and make it look more chuncky.
6- (Optionnal) Remove manual transmission, specially on V6 version.
That should do it. (Well this is what's Mazda did with it's new 6 and Joe the plumber love's it!)
Level 2:19PM (1/19/2009)
now now people calm down lol....we all know what happen when everyone told GM to bring over the Holden over here as the GTO is flopped due to being out dated....Give them some time to bring over here with the updates..
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Rich 2:19PM (1/19/2009)
Hey, maybe they could bring the European Fusion over? hehehe
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Matt K 2:26PM (1/19/2009)
I'm thinking the real reason for this is that Ford sold off most of its Mazda share... since the Fusions platform is based off the one for the 6 that Mazda originally developed. Now that the two companies are more separate, they have to find a new route for the new Fusion.
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