Ford Fusion Hybrid Offers Antidote for High Gas Prices

STONEHAM, MASS. -- Alan Melkonian eyes the collection of 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedans at Stoneham Ford, his Massachusetts Ford dealership. They’re selling well with their sharp looks and 41 mpg fuel economy in the city, just the thing for Boston Metro commuters squeezed by rising costs at the gas pump.

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid leads the entire mid-size sedan class in city fuel economy, and a report from Ford Inside News suggests that the automaker wants to widen the gap. When 2012 Fusions arrive at Greater Boston Ford dealerships next spring, they could offer as much as 48 mpg in the city with help from Ford’s new electronic continuously variable transmission.

“Massachusetts drivers are seeing more and more money poured into their gas tanks these days,” Melkonian said. “There’s no reason to settle for a car that gets poor gas mileage, or to buy something that sacrifices size or performance in the name of fuel economy. The hybrid 2011 Fusion gets the job done in a spacious, fun-to-drive package by running on electric power at low speeds, so those traffic jams we get stuck in won’t be siphoning cash out of your wallet.”

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid earns 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, numbers usually seen in compact cars. The secret behind the numbers is Ford’s use of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle four-cylinder engine that runs with incredible efficiency at all speeds and pairs seamlessly with the hybrid drive.

Fusion owners will find it easy to pair up with their cars as well, thanks to the innovative SmartGaugeCluster with EcoGuide that can show as much or as little information as the driver wants. The built-in electric vehicle meter helps drivers stay in electric-only mode for as long a distance as possible and at speeds up to 47 mph in ideal conditions. There are also meters that show how much power is going to accessories like the radio, air conditioning and lights.

While efficiency is at its core, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is not an austere vehicle meant only for gas savings. The options list allows for plenty of creature comforts, including leather upholstery and a remote-start system. Standard options include dual-zone electronic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power-adjustable passenger seat. Ford SYNC technology allows voice control of a Bluetooth-connected phone or connected MP3 player for everything from switching songs to sending simple replies to text messages.

“Ford’s 2011 Fusion Hybrid mixes the efficiency of a hybrid drivetrain with everything owners demand in a sedan, and I’m sure that tradition will continue in the 2012 model,” Melkonian noted. “There are no sacrifices here. You simply get in and go, and I think most people will have a hard time telling it’s a hybrid at all.”

Ford Truck Buyers Warming Up to Smaller, More Efficient Engines

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Truck buyers have a reputation for avoiding anything less than a traditional V8 engine, but Ford is challenging that old notion, as sales of fuel- efficient V6 F-150s at Ford dealers continue to grow. In April, Ford’s V6 engines accounted for 50 percent of all F-150 sales, up 10 percent from March, as buyers put a continued priority on fuel economy.

Contributing 75 percent of Ford F-150 V6 sales in April, Ford’s recently introduced twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine has given the big is more crowd a reason to think small. The EcoBoost captured roughly 35 percent of total April F-150 sales, thanks to its ability to get 22 mpg on the highway, kick out 365 horsepower and tow 11,300 pounds. Ford’s new naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 brought in the remaining 25 percent of V6 F-150 sales last month.

“Past V6 models in the F-Series struggled to find buyers, because truck owners demand power from their engines,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “Fuel economy isn’t on the map for these buyers unless the truck has the capabilities they need. The new V6 engines deliver where it counts, and with gas prices squeezing margins for small-business owners, Ford’s V6 options are very attractive.”

A comparison with Ford’s entry-level V6 engine from last decade shows how far the automaker has come. In 2005, the 4.2-liter V6 on the F-150 produced a scant 202 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, getting 19 mpg on the highway. The new base 3.7-liter V6 beats the older engine by 100 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque, while offering an improved 23 mpg on the highway.

Innovative thinking has propelled the V6 engine back into the limelight, but Ford engineers have expanded their economy-minded thinking to create two new V8 options for Ford F-150 buyers who need more power. A new five-liter V8 engine has a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, even while returning 21 mpg on the highway in 4x2 operation. Owners of the new 6.2-liter V8 in the F-150 will be treated to a best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, and net 18 mpg on the highway.

Ford put serious energy into the new Ford Super Duty trucks as well, designing a new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel for its Super Duty F-Series models that provides best-in-class power and torque and more miles per gallon than the outgoing model. The new Power Stroke twists out 800 pound-feet of torque and 400 horsepower to tackle the toughest jobs. Ford’s other Super Duty option is a new 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine that produces 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. According to Ford, owners can expect an 18 percent fuel economy improvement in pickup models and as much as 25 percent in chassis cabs compared with the old models.

“Ford has made sure that these Super Duty engines do everything that buyers expect,” Melkonian said. “These trucks work just as hard as the Super Duty models we had last year, they just need less fuel to get the job done, which is a real bonus right now.”

Ford Has the Edge on Safety

STONEHAM, Mass. -- When it comes to crash protection, Ford has an Edge in its lineup. The 2011 Ford Edge midsize crossover earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thanks to a new roof design that met the challenge of stricter IIHS testing.

The Top Safety Pick designation applies to Edge models built after February 2011. The Edge is the sixth Ford to be named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2011 Explorer, Taurus, Fusion and Flex all previously received IIHS safety honors, as did 2011 Fiesta models built after July 2010.

The 2010 Edge missed out on a Top Safety Pick last year after receiving an “Acceptable” score in IIHS roof-strength tests. The old design could support 3.5 times its overall vehicle weight, which was shy of the highest possible “good” rating that requires the roof to withstand four times the vehicle’s weight. After coming up short in the test, Ford immediately improved the design and created a roof that withstands 4.7 times the vehicle’s weight, surpassing IIHS standards.

“Safety is a top priority for Ford, and the new Top Safety Pick for the Edge shows how hard the company works to meet the highest safety standards,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “Some automakers would have said ‘Good enough’ and put off a redesign, but Ford put in the hours to make the Edge better in 2011. I think a lot of car buyers can appreciate that level of dedication to safety.”

With 18 percent of U.S. medium crossover sales in the first quarter of 2011, the Ford Edge was the sales leader in its segment during this period. New customers have been drawn to Ford dealers by the Edge’s roster of safety options, including adaptive cruise control, a collision-warning system that precharges the brakes for quicker stops in emergencies, blind-spot sensors and tire-pressure monitors. The Ford crossover also features the innovative MyKey system, which lets parents enable specialized settings for teen drivers that reduce distractions and limit speed.

Ford engineers did remember to pack some fun in with all the safety features. Edge SE, SEL and Limited models are powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Plus, the fuel-friendly Edge SE returns impressive fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the SEL and Limited trim models lead their segment at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For power junkies, the 2011 Edge Sport delivers 305 horsepower from a 3.7 liter V6 that twists out 280 pound-feet of torque even as it still gets 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

“The Ford Edge is a model that offers the latest in design, fuel-efficiency, performance and technology,” Melkonian added. “Its sleek styling appeals to young buyers, but it’s also a superior family car that is prepared for the worst weather New England can deliver. As Ford continues to push innovation in the Edge, I fully expect it to maintain its place as a leading U.S. crossover.

Will the Ford F-150 Be Back in Black?

STONEHAM, Mass --When Henry Ford introduced the Model T, he said that drivers could have it in “any color, so long as it’s black.” In a surprising twist, the opposite is now true for customers who want a 2011 Ford F-150 with a black exterior.

Ford Motor Company has instructed its dealers to stop taking new orders for vehicles in its Tuxedo Black color due to the limited availability of a paint pigment exported from Japan. Shipments of the pigment have been stalled in the wake of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the northern part of Japan on March 15.

While buyers in search of Japanese cars expected some delays, the shortage of American-made black F-150s is a bit more surprising. Customers searching for a black F-150 without the wait can find them at Stoneham Ford, thanks to the Massachusetts Ford dealer’s extensive selection of F-150 pickup trucks.

With multiple Tuxedo Black 2011 Ford F-150s currently available, Stoneham Ford is offering potential buyers an extended chance to get the best-in-class vehicle in Henry Ford’s favorite color before production becomes limited to other colors. Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan and Louisville, Kentucky plants halted production of the black F-150 the week of April 4, while the automaker’s Kansas City plant will continue limited production of Tuxedo Black models.

“Black trucks look cool, even when they’re dirty, so it’s no surprise that black is a popular color for the Ford F-150,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford. “The F-150’s fuel efficiency has also been a strong draw. The idea that such a bold vehicle can be gentle at the pump was a foreign one only a few years ago, but the F-150 has made it a reality on the road just in time for skyrocketing gas prices.”

Ford’s short supply of black F-150s dipped in March, the same month that the EPA rated the truck the most fuel efficient in its segment. With a combined city and highway fuel economy of 19 mpg, the all-new 3.7-liter V6 F-150 model beat all other non-hybrid, full-size pickups that the EPA tested. The Ford F-150 achieves superior fuel efficiency without any compromise in power, offering up to 6,100 pounds of conventional towing and 302 horsepower, numbers that both lead in their segment.

The 2011 Ford F-150 offers additional engine options for those who want more efficiency or power, including a 3.5-liter EcoBoost and a new 5.0-liter V8. Providing 22 mpg highway and 16 mpg city, EcoBoost-powered F-150s offer fuel economy that cannot be matched by trucks with similar horsepower. The 5.0-liter V8 offers the best performance in its segment in highway fuel economy, maximum conventional towing, horsepower and torque.

As the F-150’s companions in the top-selling Ford F-Series, Ford Super Duty trucks will also be affected by the black-paint shortage. Stoneham Ford will also be able to meet demand for these Super Duty trucks in the near future, as they currently have a number of models at their Greater Boston Ford dealership in the suddenly hard-to-find Tuxedo Black exterior.

“Right here, right now, we have Tuxedo Black,” Melkonian said. “Word is getting out about the shortage, so these may not last for long. We’ll do everything we can to keep these trucks in stock, but for someone who really wants one, the best advice is to come in soon.”

Ford Out-Economizes the Competition

STONEHAM, Mass -- The cost of fuel is on the rise again, and drivers around the world are more interested than ever in models that will not only provide the performance they need but also help them save some money at the pumps. With efficiency eclipsing all other features as prospective buyers watch gas prices head for $4 a gallon, Ford has taken their customers’ needs to heart and released a lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs that greatly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

“If this is anything like 2008, we’re about to see a major shift in what consumers look for when they’re shopping for new cars,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Greater Boston Ford dealer Stoneham Ford. “The last time gas went over $4, fuel economy became the top priority among our customers. Then, as now, Ford is ready to meet that demand with some of the most efficient vehicles on the market.”

Not surprisingly, the 2011 Ford Fiesta is at the head of the fuel economy class for gas-powered cars, checking in at 40 mpg on the highway. What may surprise is the new 2012 Ford Focus SFE, short for “super fuel economy,” which was recently certified at 40 mpg on the highway, bringing a new standard of fuel economy to the compact class.

Mid-size sedan owners can opt for the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which offers 41 mpg in the city thanks to an electric engine powered in part by regenerative braking. Even the workhorse 2011 F-150 offers best-in-class fuel economy, with its 3.7 liter V6 providing 302 horsepower along with 23 mpg on the highway.

A variety of innovations contribute to these impressive numbers, including streamlined designs that improve aerodynamics. Also helping to propel the Fiesta, F-150 and other Ford models to the top in terms of fuel economy is the six-speed automatic dry-clutch Powershift transmission, which, with its high-efficiency design, contributes a 9% boost in efficiency. The new EcoBoost engine, available on some models, and Ford’s electric-power assisted steering do their part as well, not only launching fuel economy to new heights but also proving that Ford is committed and thorough in its effort to make its lineup one of the most fuel-efficient in the United States.

Ford’s successes in that area go beyond the models breaking the 40-mpg barrier. The lineup currently available at Ford dealerships boasts 12 vehicles that lead their respective segments in fuel efficiency. The Ford Mustang V6 is the first car ever to offer an engine that tops 300 horsepower and 30 miles per gallon, proving that Ford’s commitment to improving fuel efficiency across its fleet runs deeper than simply tossing out an economical subcompact to lure buyers.

“Car buyers should take a look at what’s in their driveways right now and ask themselves if they’re getting the best possible fuel economy,” Melkonian said. “The idea that an SUV, pickup truck or performance car needs to be a gas guzzler is outdated. Trade-in values for those old, thirsty models are likely to plummet if gas prices break the four-dollar mark in New England. This is the time to see the improvements that Ford has made, and to take ownership of a vehicle that will save money for years to come.”