USA - Ford Motor Company issues two recalls mainly affecting the Fusion and MKZ.

Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2013-16 Ford Fusion, 2015-16 Ford Mondeo and 2013-15 Lincoln MKZ vehicles to insulate seat belt anchor pretensioner cables

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 650,000 2013-16 Ford Fusion, 2015-16 Ford Mondeo and 2013-15 Lincoln MKZ vehicles to insulate front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioners to prevent cable separation in a crash. 

In the affected vehicles, increased temperatures generated during deployment of the seat belt anchor pretensioner could cause pretensioner cables to separate, which may inadequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing risk of injury.

Ford is aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include:

• 2013-15 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Nov. 2, 2012 to July 31, 2014
• 2013 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Aug. 13, 2012 to Nov. 1, 2012
• 2015-16 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2014 to April 2, 2016
• 2015-16 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2014 to Feb. 22, 2016
• 2014-15 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, April 12, 2013 to July 31, 2014
• 2013-15 MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Nov. 14, 2012 to July 31, 2014
• 2015-16 Mondeo vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 5, 2014 to July 31, 2016

There are approximately 680,872 vehicles affected, including 602,739 in the United States, 35,614 in Canada, 8,665 in Mexico and 653 in federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S42.

Dealers will inject a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioner to protect the cables from increased temperatures generated during deployment at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace second-row left-rear seat back frame

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 27 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame, which may have been built with improperly welded pivot pins. 

In the affected vehicles, seat backs with pivot pins that were improperly welded may not adequately retain cargo in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 27, 2016 to Sept. 28, 2016.

There are approximately 27 vehicles affected, including 25 in the United States and two in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S43.

Dealers will replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame at no cost to the customer.

USA SALES AUGUST - FORD/LINCOLN group sales are down, but Lincoln does grow, with a new design language thats working.

• Lincoln sales increase 7 percent in August on gains from new Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX with 9,243 sold; Lincoln retail sales up 10 percent
• Ford van sales total 20,355 vehicles for the month – best-ever August sales; Ford Transit sales gained 17 percent, with 11,993 vans sold
• Ford F-Series sales down 6 percent, with 66,946 trucks sold; August marks F-Series’ best retail month of the year
• Total U.S. company sales of 214,482 vehicles decline 8 percent; retail down 8 percent and fleet down 10 percent

Lincoln sales rose 7 percent in the U.S. in August versus a year ago with 9,243 vehicles sold, while Ford Motor Company vans reached best-ever August sales with 20,355 vehicles sold. Overall U.S. company sales totaled 214,482 vehicles, an 8 percent decline. 

Retail sales totaled 168,543 vehicles for the month – an 8 percent decrease. Fleet sales of 45,939 vehicles, including daily rental, commercial and government segments, were down 10 percent. 

Lincoln’s retail sales grew 10 percent, thanks to a 55 percent retail increase in Lincoln MKX sales and an 8 percent uptick in MKZ retail sales.

“Strong sales of high-end Lincoln vehicles and Ford SUVs also helped us continue outpacing the industry in average transaction pricing, which increased $1,200 versus a year ago,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Vans continue to be a bright spot for Ford – a consistent growth story for us this year.”

August’s record van sales were up 13 percent versus a year ago, driven largely by Ford Transit gaining 17 percent, with 11,993 vehicles sold.

Total truck sales were down 2 percent, with 88,372 vehicles sold. Ford F-Series sales of 66,946 trucks mark a 6 percent decline – and F-Series’ best retail month of the year. 

USA - The new Ford Fusion V6 Sport is the most powerful midsized family sedan within it's class.

• All-new 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport boasts 325 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. using 93 octane fuel – the most power and torque in its class; enabling sport mode unleashes the  car’s maximum performance
• Incorporated in Fusion’s all-new rotary gear shift dial, a sport mode button brings seven character changes that transform a family sedan into a sports sedan
• Adjustments impact steering, shifting, throttle response, suspension and cabin sound

Fusion V6 Sport is the most powerful midsize family sedan in its class, bringing attributes more commonly found in sports cars than midsize sedans like adaptive suspension and fully-enabled paddle shifters. 

Its 2.7-liter EcoBoost® engine produces a staggering 325 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, and yes, there are styling upgrades inside and out. But perhaps the most exciting feature is that the demeanor of Fusion V6 Sport transforms with the simple touch of a button.

The sport mode button lives at the center of the car’s all-new rotary gear shift dial. Pushing it enables seven dramatic changes that result in maximum performance.

Here’s a rundown of the seven ways in which Ford Fusion V6 Sport transforms into an all-out sports sedan:

• Handling: Increases stiffness of the continuously controlled dampers compared to the normal tuning and adds damping under spirited cornering to enhance vehicle responsiveness and minimize body motion.
• Powertrain sound: In-cabin noise cancellation is tuned to provide an entertaining in-cabin engine note
• Steering: Unique tuning for electric power-assisted steering provides clean, intuitive feel to match enhanced vehicle response
• Transmission: Aggressive transmission programming selects lower gears resulting in higher available torque and responsiveness. Gears are held through turns to maximize cornering performance. Downshifts with braking are rev-matched for smoothness and increased engine braking; when stepping off the accelerator, the gear is held to maximize engine braking performance
• Engine: Electronic throttle programming revised for responsive feel
• Paddle shifters: Shifters behind steering wheel become fully enabled – allowing for complete control of transmission for spirited driving
• Cluster: Sport mode icon appears in the cluster

USA SALES JULY - Ford/Lincoln prove yet again they are the biggest and best company with growing sales and #1 spots.

• Ford sold 87,104 trucks and vans in July – up 5 percent versus a year ago
• Ford vans up 26 percent, led by Transit; Ford F-Series sales total 65,657 pickups – down 1 percent
• Lincoln posts retail gain of 2 percent with gains from new Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX
• Total U.S. company sales were 216,479, down 3 percent, with fleet up 6 percent and retail down 6 percent

Ford Motor Company’s total truck sales, including pickups and vans, grew 5 percent in July versus a year ago with 87,104 sold. Overall company U.S. sales were down 3 percent, with 216,479 total vehicles sold. 

Fleet sales – sales to large companies, government customers and rental car companies – were up 6 percent, with 55,321 sold. Retail sales were down 6 percent, with 161,158 sold. 

Van sales reached their best July sales since 1978, with 20,236 sold, driven largely by Transit with a 41 percent gain. F-Series pickups posted a 1 percent decline, with 65,657 sold.

“Trucks and vans continue to be market strengths for Ford,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Van customers rewarded us with another strong year-over-year gain, and F-Series had its best retail sales this year.”

Ford’s overall transaction pricing also grew $1,600 in July versus a year ago – more than double the industry average – driven by the continued higher mix shift to trucks and SUVs.

On the success of its newest products, Lincoln retail sales rose 2 percent in July. Lincoln MKZ sales were up 12 percent, while Lincoln MKX was up 5 percent.

USA - The Ford Fusion Energi becomes a huge seller for Ford in the Los Angeles area with significant growth.

• Ford Fusion Energi retail sales jump 39 percent in Los Angeles in June; Fusion Hybrid retail sales in L.A. rise 35 percent in June
• Overall Ford Fusion retail sales were up 20 percent in L.A. in June and 12 percent year-to-date
• Fusion is Ford’s second-best-selling vehicle in L.A. and overall in North America, after the F-Series truck; after F-series, the Fusion is the best-selling vehicle to millennial buyers in Ford’s overall vehicle lineup

Ford Fusion electrified vehicle retail sales spiked in the Los Angeles market during the month of June, the first month of availability for the new 2017 model, as consumers remain charged up about the high-tech, efficient sedan with room for five.

Based on Ford June sales figures, Fusion Energi sales jumped nearly 40 percent in L.A. compared to June 2015. During the same time period, Fusion Hybrid sales jumped 35 percent. Both of these numbers are retail sales and do not include fleet sales.

By comparison, the total midsize sedan segment is down nearly 5 percent in L.A. through May, according to IHS Automotive data. Consumer demand for trucks and SUVs continues to rise in Los Angeles and across the country, but sales of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in are surging ahead.

“This significant growth for Ford’s midsize sedan should not be underestimated as Los Angeles is the largest car market in the United States,” said Wade Jackson, Ford Fusion marketing manager. “The spike in Fusion Hybrid and Energi sales is a testament to Ford’s advanced engineering team developing fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive electric vehicles offering customers the widest range of choice in the segment.”

The new 2017 Fusion Energi can travel 610 miles on a full tank of gas and battery charge – according to EPA estimates – the highest combined range of any plug-in hybrid sold in America.

Electrified Fusions becoming the new normal

In 2011, Fusion Hybrid represented 10 percent of new Fusion retail registrations in L.A. Through May of 2016, the most current data available, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in represent 42 percent of new Fusion retail registrations in L.A., according to Ford analysis of new vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive, despite gasoline prices falling over the same period.

Overall sales of Fusion in L.A. are also bucking the trend in the midsize car segment, with sales up 20 percent in June and 12 percent year-to-date.

The L.A. region was the only region in America to hold consistent in midsize sedan sales last year. Almost one out of every 10 midsize sedans are sold in the L.A. region and since 2012, the Ford Fusion has doubled its sales and share there.

Reaching new customers

After F-series, the Fusion is the best-selling vehicle to millennial buyers in Ford’s overall vehicle lineup and remains Ford’s best-selling car.

In addition, Fusion registrations to women are up 20 percent in California through May, compared to the same period in 2015, according to IHS Automotive personal new vehicle registration data. 

To build on its success, Ford launched a new marketing campaign for Fusion earlier this month targeting key markets nationwide. 

“We need to make sure buyers know about the best-in-class Fusion Energi driving range, but our new Fusion Sport and Fusion Platinum models give us a great shot at going after buyers who might not have ever owned a Ford,” Jackson said. “We’re pretty excited about our chances for more conquest buyers.”

The 2017 Ford Fusion Energi has an EPA-estimated rating of 43 city/41 hwy/42 combined MPG, a 14 gallon tank and 21 miles of all-electric range. Range calculation is based on www.fueleconomy.gov. The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid has an EPA-estimated rating of 43 city/41 hwy/42 combined and a 13.5 gallon tank. Actual mileage and range will vary.

USA SALES JUNE - Ford/Lincoln continues to grow with it best first half in a decade, and more to come.

• Ford Motor Company’s first-half 2016 total U.S. sales increase 5 percent to 1,353,048 vehicles –  best results in a decade; sales up 6 percent in June versus year ago with 240,109 vehicles sold
• Ford sold more than half a million trucks in the first half – a 13 percent gain – further widening Ford’s truck lead versus the competition; F-Series up 29 percent in June; vans jump 14 percent
• Ford brand June SUV sales up 7 percent, driving all-time record first-half SUV sales; Edge up 12 percent, Escape gains 6 percent and Explorer grows 3 percent in first half
• Lincoln posts a 13 percent gain for the first half of the year, thanks to strong performance from its newest SUVs, Lincoln MKC and Lincoln MKX; Lincoln sales up 6 percent in June

Ford Motor Company’s first-half total U.S. sales grew 5 percent with 1,353,048 vehicles sold – its best first-half performance since 2006. June sales were up 6 percent, with 240,109 vehicles sold.

Ford truck performance remains the standout for the first half of the year. The company sold 531,500 pickups and vans – a 13 percent gain versus a year ago. 

Truck sales were up 24 percent in June, driven by strong F-Series sales of 70,937 vehicles – a 29 percent increase versus a year ago and their best June sales performance in more than a decade. 

  

“Strong customer demand has helped us continue growing our truck leadership position, further widening the gap with our nearest competitor versus last year,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Consumer demand for Ford SUVs also continues to surge to all-time highs, allowing us to introduce new levels of capability, versatility and technology to a whole new generation of SUV fans."

Ford brand SUVs had their best-ever first half with 395,116 total vehicles sold – up 9 percent versus a year ago. Ford SUVs posted a 7 percent increase last month with 69,641 vehicles sold, marking the best June in 15 years. Escape sales were up 20 percent, driven by the new 2017 model.

Ford commercial van performance grew 17 percent in the first half with a total of 128,378 vehicles sold – largely driven by Transit’s 36 percent gain in the same period with 78,480 sold. Transit sales increased 19 percent in June, with 14,437 sold.

Overall, Ford’s monthly van sales grew 14 percent – the company’s best commercial van sales since 1978 – with 24,404 sold.

For the first half, Lincoln sales totaled 53,297 vehicles – a 13 percent increase versus a year ago. Lincoln sales were up 6 percent in June with 8,809 vehicles sold. Growth came from the marque’s newest products, with Lincoln MKX up 27 percent, the new Lincoln MKZ up 9 percent and Lincoln MKC up 2 percent.  

USA - Ford launches a new Fusion derivative, the Sport, built to compete, and beat the german brands.

• Following success with Explorer Sport and Edge Sport, Ford seeks to woo performance car buyers – including those considering Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – with all-new Fusion V6 Sport
• 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport will offer class-demolishing 380 lb.-ft. of torque from 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost^® engine, along with 325 horsepower
• Premium sports sedan comes with standard all-wheel drive

Ford is adding serious EcoBoost^® muscle to its Fusion sedan in an all-out assault on more expensive German sport sedans. 

Following on the success of Explorer Sport, which has seen one in five buyers come over from recent Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz experiences, Ford has its eyes not only on owners of V6-equipped Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords, but some other distinguished German models that command a five-figure premium over the 2017 Fusion Sport.

Since the newest-generation Fusion launched in 2012, midsize car buyers have been asking for a performance version, says Wade Jackson, Ford Fusion marketing manager.

“It’s not just Fusion buyers who want something hotter,” Jackson says. “Owners of other midsize sedans, along with our own dealers, ask repeatedly. So buyers get a 2.7-liter EcoBoost that makes 325 horsepower and a more impressive 380 pound-feet of torque.”

These consumers also crave a car that’s much more distinctive inside and out, Jackson explains. “Cross-shoppers will be shocked by the bang for the buck our new Fusion Sport delivers,” he says.

Peak torque of 380 lb.-ft. from a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost^® engine makes Fusion Sport stouter than established performance sedans like BMW 535i, Audi A6 3.0T and Mercedes-Benz E400. Ford Fusion Sport torque rating is achieved with 93-octane fuel.

Ford has reason to be confident with its newest sport-minded offering. While Explorer sales rose 24 percent from 2013 to 2015, Explorer Sport jumped 103 percent. Edge sales were close to flat over that same period – mostly due to model changeover – but Edge Sport jumped 62 percent.

For discerning sport sedan buyers seeking the ultimate in braking and handling performance, a summer-only tire package will be available as well.

The 2017 Ford Fusion Sport starts at a very un-German sports sedan price of $33,475, and that’s with all-wheel drive as a standard feature.  

USA SALES MAY - Ford drops on the month but just hangs onto a year to date increase.

• Ford F-Series sales total 67,412 trucks, gaining 9 percent versus a year ago
• Ford vans have best May performance in 38 years, driven by Transit
• Ford Escape sales up 6 percent, with 30,861 SUVs sold
• All-new Lincoln MKX up 88 percent, driving strongest Lincoln May SUV sales in 13 years

Ford Motor Company F-Series pickups posted a 9 percent gain in May, while Ford van sales reached their best May sales since 1978. The company’s total U.S. sales of 235,997 vehicles declined 6 percent versus a year ago.

Ford F-Series sales of 67,412 pickups marked a 9 percent increase, boosting a 7 percent year-to-date increase with 324,307 pickups sold.

“Customers are showing how much they value the fuel economy, towing capability and technology we offer in our trucks with F-Series sales producing another strong gain in May,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “With strong demand for pickups, vans and SUVs, Ford brand saw average prices grow almost $1,500 per vehicle in May – about 50 percent higher than the industry.”

Ford Transit sales increased 16 percent with 13,640 vehicles sold, lifting overall Ford van results 7 percent for their best May performance since 1978. 

The new Ford Escape posted a 6 percent increase with 30,861 SUVs sold. Through May, Ford Brand SUVs totaled 325,475 vehicles. This marks a 9 percent gain and the best-ever start for Ford Brand SUV sales in company history.   

Lincoln sales increased 7 percent, capping six straight months of gains. All-new Lincoln MKX sales grew 88 percent with 2,794 vehicles sold – Lincoln’s best May SUV sales since 2003