ANTAUS Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/26/ford-fusion-production-increasing-challenge-toyota-camry/ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-25/ford-fusion-output-boost-tests-2-300-premium-over-camry.html?cmpid=yhoo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Increasing supply to demand is sound business sense. To go for the volume crown while good political points, Ford still should not take a loss in ATP for this distinction. Just my nickel... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Um. What? 350k Fusions is a long long way from 475k Camries. And 450k Accords. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Yes but they aren't selling that many camrys and accords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I presume they're also factoring sales declines of Camries and Accords (instead buying Fusions) to get to that title/reasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I wouldn't mind seeing a Ford sedan on top of the car sales, again...but not by sales to rental fleets, this time, mmmkay?They are thick on the streets where I'm living, and all over the Seattle-Tacoma area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Yes but they aren't selling that many camrys and accords. I think Toyota would be lucky to crack 400,000 Camrys this year but I also hear that Toyota is working on increasing production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I wouldn't mind seeing a Ford sedan on top of the car sales, again...but not by sales to rental fleets, this time, mmmkay? I think we (including Ford) are all on board with you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 And not by throwing cash on the hood either. Better to be more profitable at slightly lower volume with full factory shifts. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I think Toyota would be lucky to crack 400,000 Camrys this year but I also hear that Toyota is working on increasing production. Toyota is dumping huge amounts of Camry's into fleets, in Chicago probably 70% of the new cabs are Camry hybrids. The new Camry is always in the mix at rental agency's now. Toyota will do almost anything to keep the crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Toyota will do almost anything to keep the crown. And I think Ford is content to let them have it rather than cut profit margins or add unsustainable production capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 And I think Ford is content to let them have it rather than cut profit margins or add unsustainable production capacity. They should be, because they've already been there, done that, and gotten the t-shirt and the coffee mug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Toyota is dumping huge amounts of Camry's into fleets, in Chicago probably 70% of the new cabs are Camry hybrids. The new Camry is always in the mix at rental agency's now. Toyota will do almost anything to keep the crown. Sounds like GM back in the late 1990s.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) When it comes to Camry, Toyota seems to have a very "old GM" attitude to factory production and sales numbers, I wonder if pride and ego of being N0.1 in the segment is getting in the way of it making much more money. Toyota making all those extra Camrys over Fusion - if you're fleet dumping, is the effort worth the return..... Edited August 27, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBFlex Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) I wouldn't mind seeing a Ford sedan on top of the car sales, again...but not by sales to rental fleets, this time, mmmkay? They are thick on the streets where I'm living, and all over the Seattle-Tacoma area. That's what I was going to say. And what is the fleet percentage of the Camry and Accord? Last I remember, the Accord is damn near zero. Not sure about the Camry. EDIT: looking at the numbers, of the total number of Camry sales, 20% are to fleets...versus 34% for the Fusion and an astounding 1% for the Accord. http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130701/RETAIL01/307019977/toyota-whatever-it-takes-to-keep-camry-crown#axzz2dDPHLEIg Edited August 27, 2013 by EBFlex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 We have a moment of absolute agreement. And not by throwing cash on the hood either. Better to be more profitable at slightly lower volume with full factory shifts. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 We have a moment of absolute agreement. <checks for lightning bolts> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 That's what I was going to say. And what is the fleet percentage of the Camry and Accord? Last I remember, the Accord is damn near zero. Not sure about the Camry. Camry was around 30% similar to Fusion but with bigger volume. And I think Camry has more rental fleet sales whereas Fusion has more non-rental fleet sales (government e.g.). Accord has almost 0 fleet sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Yeah, I looked, too. Problem is, over here in the NW, heavy clouds are kinda common. I'll assume if I see you posting after today that we haven't caused the apocalypse. <checks for lightning bolts> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustyw85 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 1,400 New Ford Employees Kick Off U.S. Production of Fusion to Meet Surging Customer Demand With 1,400 new jobs and a $555 million investment, Flat Rock Assembly Plant begins Ford Fusion production Production added to improve tight availability of Ford Fusion; U.S. Fusion sales up 13 percent this year Ford will hire almost 6,500 workers in the U.S. this year to support new products, growth and investment; company has added more than three-quarters of the 12,000 hourly jobs it committed to add in the U.S. by 2015 Supported by 1,400 new employees, the new Ford Fusion will roll off the line at Flat Rock Assembly Plant today, marking the first time the popular car has been built in the United States. The move expands Fusion availability by more than 30 percent – up to 350,000 units annually – as the midsize sedan is setting sales records for Ford. “With its bold design and great fuel economy, Fusion has exceeded all of our expectations, with demand outstripping supply,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “Fusion in Flat Rock is a win for all of our stakeholders – including customers, employees and dealers. At the same time, Ford is continuing its massive investment in America by creating another 1,400 jobs.” The 1,400 new employees Ford hired to support added production at Flat Rock Assembly Plant puts the company more than 75 percent of the way toward its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States by 2015. In 2013 alone, Ford is hiring nearly 6,500 new hourly and salaried employees in the U.S. to support products, growth and investment. Strong Fusion sales Fusion sales – up 13 percent in the U.S. this year – remain very strong. Through July, Ford sold more than 181,000 Fusions, 21,000 more than were sold in the same period last year. Fusion vehicles are selling in fewer than 20 days in such key markets as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami, compared with the industry average of approximately 60 days. The high-end Fusion Titanium is turning even faster in these markets – fewer than 15 days on dealer lots. Demand for Fusion is growing as the sedan continues to win over buyers from other automakers, particularly Asian manufacturers, with a competitive conquest rate of 50 percent. Fusion has earned accolades from customers and influential publications, winning seven major awards in its first nine months of production. Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small car – developed to serve customers who want leading fuel efficiency, smart technologies and game-changing design. Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, underscoring Ford’s commitment to give customers the power of choice. Fusion Hybrid is EPA-certified with a best-in-class 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined fuel economy rating. Customers can choose from Fusion’s widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains, including EcoBoost®gasoline-powered, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, automatic and manual transmission offerings and Auto Start-Stop technology. With seven must-have technologies – including a Lane-Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch® – Fusion demonstrates Ford’s commitment to deliver features customers truly want and value in their vehicles. Flat Rock transformation “We are thrilled to have added production of Fusion at Flat Rock Assembly Plant – not just for our dedicated workforce here, but for the entire metro Detroit community and the associated jobs it will create,” said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles. “Together with the domestic automakers and through the collective bargaining process, we are able to bring jobs to the U.S. that were previously located offshore. Fusion production in Flat Rock is a key part of that.” To prepare Flat Rock’s newest hires to build Fusion, a simulated factory has been introduced to provide hands-on training in a real-world environment. The simulated factory allows workers to master the tasks they may be performing on the line. It also is expected to help reduce employee attrition and improve overall manufacturing and safety. As part of a $555 million investment, Flat Rock Assembly Plant has added a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop to allow multiple models to be produced on the same assembly line, supporting Ford’s flexible manufacturing efforts. “We have completely transformed Flat Rock Assembly Plant to help prepare for Fusion production. These upgrades have allowed us to ensure we are building the highest-quality cars,” said Tim Young, plant manager, Flat Rock Assembly Plant. Ford also has upgraded the plant’s paint shop with installation of its three-wet paint process. It is more environmentally friendly and takes less time than conventional paint processes, without compromising vehicle paint quality or durability. Other technologies incorporated at Flat Rock include laser brazing, a form of welding that will be used on Fusion to attach the roof of the car to the body with a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing seam. In 2014, dirt detection technology will be introduced at Flat Rock to ensure optimal paint and surface quality, leading to smoother, shinier cars. Flat Rock Assembly Plant also produces the iconic Ford Mustang, now in its 50th year. The plant recently celebrated the 1 millionth Mustang built at the facility. With the addition of Fusion production, Flat Rock Assembly Plant will have approximately 3,000 employees working two shifts at full line speed. The Flat Rock factory has been producing vehicles since 1987, when it opened as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA and built the Mazda MX-6. Ford purchased a 50 percent share in the facility in 1992, and it was renamed AutoAlliance International. During the years, the plant has produced the Mazda 626, Mazda6, Mercury Cougar and Ford Probe. Fusion also is produced at Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico. Chongqing Assembly Plant 1 in China also builds the car, which is known as the Ford Mondeo in other markets globally. 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nebelkopf Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Ha! Unless you want a FamVan, you would be hard pressed to find anything other than a white Camry here in S. Fl...... Old people! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibinubu12 Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 This may be an extremely nerdy question, but do we know how Ford will assign Fusion VINs? Mustang still uses the AAI VIN prefix even in 2014. Will 2014 Fusions from Flat Rock start 1FA6.. or 1ZV6...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 Depends. If Ford bought out Mazda, it's 1F. If they didn't, it's 1Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 And not by throwing cash on the hood either. Better to be more profitable at slightly lower volume with full factory shifts. Agreed. Hasn't it been Fords motto and that of people on the site for the past few years? Sell less vehicles with a higher margin then flooding the market, then putting cash out there simply to move the over stock of vehicles that was too common in years past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 So what do you do when a vehicle like Fusion is selling so well with higher ATPs than Camry? Ford is clearly inventory constrained, so adding production will only benefit the bottom line. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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