FordBuyer Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 FROM AUTOMOTIVE NEWS: Ford: Mid-sized model year for mid-sized cars Amy Wilson Automotive News | February 18, 2008 - 12:01 am EST DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.'s trio of mid-sized cars will have an abbreviated 2009 model year. With reskinned versions just around the corner, the 2009 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ will be in production for about six months beginning in June. The 2010 models will go into production "very late this year" and go on sale in early 2009, Ford Americas President Mark Fields said. The updated sedans were once expected to go on sale this fall as 2009 models. Although the on-sale date has slipped to next year, Ford executives still count the trio as big launches for 2008. The 2010 Fusion and Milan will get hybrid versions for the first time. The Fusion, Milan and Zephyr, the predecessor to the MKZ, went on sale in the fall of 2005 as 2006 models. U.S. sales for the trio were 221,159 in 2007, up 4.6 percent from 2006. The sedans are assembled at Ford's plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 FROM AUTOMOTIVE NEWS:Ford: Mid-sized model year for mid-sized cars Amy Wilson Automotive News | February 18, 2008 - 12:01 am EST DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.'s trio of mid-sized cars will have an abbreviated 2009 model year. With reskinned versions just around the corner, the 2009 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ will be in production for about six months beginning in June. The 2010 models will go into production "very late this year" and go on sale in early 2009, Ford Americas President Mark Fields said. The updated sedans were once expected to go on sale this fall as 2009 models. Although the on-sale date has slipped to next year, Ford executives still count the trio as big launches for 2008. The 2010 Fusion and Milan will get hybrid versions for the first time. The Fusion, Milan and Zephyr, the predecessor to the MKZ, went on sale in the fall of 2005 as 2006 models. U.S. sales for the trio were 221,159 in 2007, up 4.6 percent from 2006. The sedans are assembled at Ford's plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. I really don't think the 2010 triplets will be shown until 2008 L.A. Show, 2009 NAIAS Show, or both. I can't see Ford showing 2010 triplets next month with 6 more months to go with 2008 models and then another 6 months with 2009 models. That makes no sense. If you show the reskineed triplets next month and they are hits, then many will just delay buying triplets for another year. I don't think Ford just yet wants to start a fire sale on 2008 and 2009 models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focus05 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 That's a bit disappointing. Granted, I understand that in a market slowdown, new cars don't give the boost they should because you don't want to discount them and then you don't want their image tattered by slow sales, etc. etc., but we need a new Fusion with the likes of the Accord and Malibu out there. I guess they can beat those cars on price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 This figures, I'll be in the market to replace my 2007 MKZ a month before the 2010 hits shorooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious1Auto Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 This figures, I'll be in the market to replace my 2007 MKZ a month before the 2010 hits shorooms. Buy a beater for a couple grand and trade it when it's paid off if you can bear it, that way you can get what you want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) Buy a beater for a couple grand and trade it when it's paid off if you can bear it, that way you can get what you want! I always get early bird offers anyway on my leases so I'll probably get rid of it in September. The MKS is on the table by then so that is a possibility. I'm hesitant to buy another MKZ after it dropped a transmission on me. My CTS buddies are laughing their ass off at me right now, I should learn my lesson and jump ship already . Edited February 19, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I always get early bird offers anyway on my leases so I'll probably get rid of it in September. The MKS is on the table by then so that is a possibility. I'm hesitant to buy another MKZ after it dropped a transmission on me. Given the quality that has been seen in the CD3s, I doubt that is common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) Given the quality that has been seen in the CD3s, I doubt that is common. The dealer tells me it's not the first one he's seen so I'm not so sure it's uncommon. Initial quality and long term quality are completely different. These transmissions may go bad left and right over the next few years as the vehicles rack up miles. I was one of the first MKZ owners mind you! I'm blaming Aisin for the problem but this is ultimately Ford's responsibility. Edited February 19, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The dealer tells me it's not the first one he's seen so I'm not so sure it's uncommon. Initial quality and long term quality are completely different. These transmissions may go bad left and right over the next few years as the vehicles rack up miles. I was one of the first MKZ owners mind you! I'm blaming Aisin for the problem but this is ultimately Ford's responsibility. I agree it is Fords responsibility, but a quick Google search seems to turn up nothing of the problem. I'm going to say its uncommon and hope I'm right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I agree it is Fords responsibility, but a quick Google search seems to turn up nothing of the problem. I'm going to say its uncommon and hope I'm right. I just heard from the dealer and they brought in a tech from Ford to diagnose the problem since I guess it is unusual. They are trying to rush in a replacement unit but I won't have my car back today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I just heard from the dealer and they brought in a tech from Ford to diagnose the problem since I guess it is unusual. They are trying to rush in a replacement unit but I won't have my car back today. That's what I figured. I haven't heard of any transmission issues associated with the CD3s. If there were I doubt CR would have been so ready to recommend those cars. My brother has my Fusion now, and it has almost 30K on it now, and those have been all trouble free miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 That's what I figured. I haven't heard of any transmission issues associated with the CD3s. If there were I doubt CR would have been so ready to recommend those cars. My brother has my Fusion now, and it has almost 30K on it now, and those have been all trouble free miles. I agree they have a great rap...perhaps that is the reason a rep is being sent expediately....because of LACK of problems THIS instance stands out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The dealer tells me it's not the first one he's seen so I'm not so sure it's uncommon. Initial quality and long term quality are completely different. These transmissions may go bad left and right over the next few years as the vehicles rack up miles. I was one of the first MKZ owners mind you! I'm blaming Aisin for the problem but this is ultimately Ford's responsibility. Did you buy your car at Crissman LM? If so, that's probably why the trans blew, the dealer blows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Did you buy your car at Crissman LM? If so, that's probably why the trans blew, the dealer blows. I can't disagree more, I'm a very happy Crissman shopper since 1989 (anybody remember the Merkur XR4Ti?). Although I can't say I'm as happy with them now that they lost the general manager with the new partnership. The service department has always been good to me but I don't like the fact they didn't have a vehicle for me this time. Something is changing for the worse over there and I'm at the point of leaving. The facility itself does blow however Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I can't disagree more, I'm a very happy Crissman shopper since 1989 (anybody remember the Merkur XR4Ti?). Although I can't say I'm as happy with them now that they lost the general manager with the new partnership. The service department has always been good to me but I don't like the fact they didn't have a vehicle for me this time. Something is changing for the worse over there and I'm at the point of leaving. The facility itself does blow however I bought a used car from them and they couldn't fix anything on it properly. The service department was grossly incompetent. But yeah, the building is WAY too shabby to even be a Ford dealer way out in the country; it's pretty sad that Ford lets it sell Lincolns and Mercuries. They need to spruce the place up to look like North Bros. in Troy or Crest in Sterling Heights. Those are two nice looking dealerships Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) I bought a used car from them and they couldn't fix anything on it properly. The service department was grossly incompetent. But yeah, the building is WAY too shabby to even be a Ford dealer way out in the country; it's pretty sad that Ford lets it sell Lincolns and Mercuries. They need to spruce the place up to look like North Bros. in Troy or Crest in Sterling Heights. Those are two nice looking dealerships Business isn't very good at the dealership despite its location, they've been struggling out here for a long time because so few Ford employees live out this way now. Rochester is mostly GM or non-automotive employees, people head for Chey, Buick, Pontiac, Toyota, Cadillac, VW or Mercedes down the street. Rochester doesn't buy domestic unless its GM Fords are very VERY rare here, I'm the only Ford house in my sub. Crissman and Huntinghton struggle and almost merged to save their businesses. Edited February 19, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The dealer tells me it's not the first one he's seen so I'm not so sure it's uncommon. Right. Three years of cumulative CD3 production should equate to a few blown transmissions for even a good transmission design. MTBF is just that: MEAN time between failures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) The up side is I get to play with a loaner for a while. I have the choice of a Town Car or a Milan....I'm thinking Milan because the Town Car is terrible in snow. I've completely lost faith in Ford quality after this so there is nothing you can say to me Richard that will convince me otherwise. This is one completley disenchanted customer. I'm jumping off the Ford bandwagon now, thanks. I'll remain a cautious skeptic as I should have stayed. Edited February 19, 2008 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 The up side is I get to play with a loaner for a while. I have the choice of a Town Car or a Milan....I'm thinking Milan because the Town Car is terrible in snow. I've completely lost faith in Ford quality after this so there is nothing you can say to me Richard that will convince me otherwise. This is one completley disenchanted customer. I'm jumping off the Ford bandwagon now, thanks. I'll remain a cautious skeptic as I should have stayed. Wait wait wait....you've had 30 years of good Fords, and one transmission has left you skeptical of their quality? Oooookkk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 MTBF is just that: MEAN time between failures. And sometimes, time is mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Wait wait wait....you've had 30 years of good Fords, and one transmission has left you skeptical of their quality? Oooookkk... The fact that nothing happened until the latest 'quality' Fords is what has left me newly skeptical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Wait wait wait....you've had 30 years of good Fords, and one transmission has left you skeptical of their quality? Oooookkk... You say that like he is not justified in feeling that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) You say that like he is not justified in feeling that way. Feeling a certain 'way' and reality are two different things brother. I still sort of read through some of the Fusion message boards, and I've yet to see people encounter major issues with their ATXs. I'm willing to bet this is a fluke. If it weren't we would've heard about it not only in the CD3s but D3s as well (back when they were the Five Hundred and Montego). Edited February 19, 2008 by Michael Reynolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 You say that like he is not justified in feeling that way. one can be sceptical of any manufacturer, and probably should be due to their complexity except we have gotten to the point where we take things for granted...this is the first i have heard of a trans in said car though...it has a great reputation. hell, i had problems with a Supra ( Toyota ) and Acura ( Honda ) all 3 BMW's, and NONE with my ranger, mustang or F-150...ZERO! So far so good on the mini...the only kicker is a 50k service runs $950k of which $186 is a damn oil change, the fact your car is under warranty is good, imagine if it wasn;t, and it sounds like a total one off and is being handled expediantly...i'm sure you will be satisfied once it has been replaced...hopefully enough to restore the faith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 (edited) This figures, I'll be in the market to replace my 2007 MKZ a month before the 2010 hits shorooms. The MKZ is OK but it's a bit bland for my tastes..... Edited February 19, 2008 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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