Auto News
AutoGuide News Blog
The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
“Ask AutoGuide!” is our newest feature. It debuted last week to copious fanfare and considerable tweeting. Its premiere was the internet equivalent of a ticker-tape parade but without the high-school ribbon dancers and mess of confetti.
A pair of California law firms are consolidating lawsuits against Ford, alleging that the American automaker has falsely marketed its MPG claims for its C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid vehicles.
While achieving an all-time monthly sales record in December with 3,244 Fusion Hybrids sold, Ford is expected to shatter that number in January with a projected 5,500 units sold.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just awarded a five-star score to the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid as part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing.
The Ford Fusion Energi is the plug-in hybrid variant of the brand’s newest midsize sedan and the EPA has just announced a total range of 620 miles, and an all-electric range of 21 miles.
Ford is facing a lawsuit that claims that the American company’s C-Max hybrid and Fusion hybrid fail to meet the stated fuel economy mark of 47 mpg combined.
Ford is currently under fire for mileage claims on the Fusion and C-MAX Hybrid models, but the automaker is standing firm by its claims.
Ford’s 47 mpg claims for its two new hybrid models have come into question and now the Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will review the automaker’s claims.
Ford is projecting that its hybrid sales in the month of November will be its best yet, with over 6,000 hybrid vehicles sold – besting its previous 5,353 record in July 2009.
When the plug-in hybrid version of Ford’s Fusion hits dealerships, it will do so with a $39,495 base price tag, before tax credits and delivery charges.
Automotive Journalists Association Of Canada Honors Focus ST, Cadillac ATS At Car of the Year Awards
Hosting its annual week-long Test Fest, the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada has announced its picks for Car of the Year in 11 categories with the Cadillac ATS and Ford Focus ST, among others, taking awards.
 Excuses Not to Buy a Hybrid. For more, click http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/10/six-lame-excuses-not-to-buy-a-hybrid.html "Pin It")
And Why They're Wrong
With an almost never ending list of myths and rumors, few vehicles are as misunderstood as the hybrid.
Almost every review or video posted on AutoGuide.com about a hybrid car has at least one reader comment about how the battery will deteriorate beyond repair, or that once you get a hybrid, you’re not a true driving enthusiast.
With so much misinformation about hybrid vehicles being spread around, we’ve decided to debunk six myths about gas-electric cars.
Ford is now letting its customers choose between an all-wheel drive Fusion Titanium with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine or a Fusion Hybrid Titanium model for the same price.
Ford is going all out with its electrification strategy, and two of the newest vehicles to feature the latest hybrid technology are the Ford C-Max and Ford Fusion.
Ford is looking to gain ground in the green car market, investing heavily in engineering for the long term as it plans to roll out several new electrified vehicles this year.
Currently available on three models, GM’s eAssist technology is a product and packaging gamble the automaker has made that does not appear to be paying off. While the first two Buick models to receive the mild-hybrid system received modest praise, the new Chevy Malibu Eco has drawn so much criticism it was recently named “the most disliked vehicle of 2012” according to Fortune magazine.
The impact of that title, not to mention all the bad press that’s led up to it, can’t be understated. The reputation, and sales, of an entire lifecycle of Malibu models (the Malibu being one of GM’s largest volume products) is hanging in the balance.
In a press conference that clearly targeted the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Ford said consumers “expect more” than what its Japanese rivals have been offering and have, in response, developed the all new 2013 Fusion sedan. The car was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
With a fresh new design, an impressive interior and plenty of technology, the Fusions big boast is its fuel economy, which global product development boss Derrick Kuzak calls “game changing.” Hardly an empty remark, the Fusion will get 26 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a new EcoBoost 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. (Both an entry level 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and a 237-hp EcoBoost 2.0-liter will be offered as well).
Taking a step up in fuel economy is the new hybrid model, which bests even the new Camry Hybrid by a significant margin with 44 mpg city and 47 mpg highway. Ford even showed off what it calls the Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid, with an incredible 100 mpge rating – 8 more than even the Volt.
GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion Debut
GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion
See AutoGuide’s First Look Video of the Ford Fusion below:
With Ford planning to blitz the auto-market in the first quarter of 2012 with its eight new models, the American automaker hopes the Fusion will make a major impact with its next-gen sophisticated hybrid system.
According to a source inside Ford the Blue Oval is targeting a 47-48-mpg rating for the car in the city, with an even higher rating for the highway. Currently the Fusion gets a 41-mpg rating in the city, making for a significant increase.
Closing in on the 50-mpg mark, the Fusion Hybrid would then be encroaching on the 50-mpg average Toyota Prius.
[Source: FordInsideNews]
Green Car Journal has announced its candidates for its Green Car Of The Year award, with the five car field being composed of some pretty serious competition,
Naturally, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf are the leading contenders, with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid rounding out the field, and the Ford Fiesta being the sole nominee that runs solely on a gasoline engine and no electric components. Regardless, the Fiesta can still get 40 mpg on the highway, making it a worthy candidate.
The winner will be announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November
Hit the jump to see the official press release
[Source: Green Car Journal]