[Bloggin]

The Ford Fusion continues to gain momentum, outselling Altima in North America(US/Canada)

Fusion had it's best every sales for October. Fusion sales were at 21,740, a 71% sales increase over Oct 2012 for the US, and 1,083 for Canada. For a total of 22,823 NA sales for October and up 19.9% YTD.

Altima had US sales of 21,785, down -11.5%, with 932 in Canada for a total of 22,717 NA sales for October and up 4.9% YTD. The #1 and #2 selling midsize cars were also down, with Accord at 25,162, down -11.2%, and Camry at 29,144, down -2.6%.

This would be the third month(Jan, Feb, Oct) Fusion outsold Altima for 2013.

With the largest auto market in the US being California, and sales up 77%, along with being up 65% in the eastern region of the US, Fusion momentum continues to build as production expands at Flat Rock to meet demand.

With the help of Flat Rock, daily inventory at 41k units, Fusion is better able to compete with Camry at 49k. But it looks like the imports are loading up for a battle until the end of year. Altima daily inventory is at a bloated 61K and Accord at at very bloated 63k. It could be Honda is trying to challenge Toyota for the #1 sales crown for 2013. As of Oct, Camry is at 348,134, and Accord is at 307,264. For Oct Accord trailed Camry by just 1577 units. But Camry leads Accord by 40,879 units YTD. So unless Honda can sell over 50k units for Nov and Dec, Camry will remain #1 for 2013.

But the true battle could be between Ford and Nissan, with the Altima at 271,303 YTD, and Fusion at 248,033 YTD. Which has the Altima ahead 23,270 YTD. But that would require Ford to sell about 30k Fusion models for Nov and Dec. Which Fusion was able to do for March and May of 2013.

But understanding that Ford is not about to risk profits for a title, Fusion will most likely settle for most profitable at #4 YTD. But expect so see some crazy incentives from Nissan and Honda, as they try to unload their bloated inventories before end of year.

 

[2b2]

Thanks for posting this, Bloggin!

...it looks like the imports are loading up for a battle until the end of year. Altima daily inventory is at a bloated 61K and Accord at at very bloated 63k. It could be Honda is trying to challenge Toyota for the #1 sales crown for 2013. As of Oct, Camry is at 348,134, and Accord is at 307,264. For Oct Accord trailed Camry by just 1577 units. But Camry leads Accord by 40,879 units YTD. So unless Honda can sell over 50k units for Nov and Dec, Camry will remain #1 for 2013...

I just saw post(s) about how the average transaction price for the Fusion has climbed to THOUSANDS higher than the Camry's...

Do you know what the Accord's is?


edit...guess I should ask about the Altima's too
tho I always used to lump the Maxima with it in my head
...do they still share a platform?

 

[LetsRace]

Great to see that the Fusion is selling so well. Keep it up Ford!

 

[Bloggin]

The only thing I could find re transaction pricing was this from Bloomberg:

"Ford’s additional Fusion production could spell trouble for Toyota’s Camry. The Fusion took 35 days on average to sell in February compared to 38 for Honda’s Accord and 62 for Toyota’s Camry, Bloomberg Industries said in a report last month, citing Edmunds data. Fusion’s average transaction price was $26,586 in February, $2,772 more than Camry."

But I do remember reading the ONLY midsize car with a higher transaction price than the Fusion was the VW Passat, with the Accord being up there with the Camry. Altima was over $2k below the Fusion also. Consumers see the Fusion as a more premium midsize car, and are willing to pay for it.

 

[Bloggin]

Here is more....

"The average price that the Fusion has sold for this year through July went up 5.8 percent to $26,343, led only by Volkswagen’s Passat in the mid-size car segment, according to Kelley Blue Book. Fusions are selling at $1,176 more than the segment average and $2,378 more than Camrys."

 

[2b2]

^&^^ TY Bloggin

I also refound quoted elsewhere from Bloomberg:

"In keeping with Fusion’s luxury looks, Ford said buyers are loading the car with options such as voice-activated controls and dashboard touchscreens. That drove Fusion’s average selling price up 4 percent to $27,444 last month, according to auto researcher Kelley Blue Book. Camry’s average price fell 1.3 percent to $24,193, according to the Irvine, California-based auto researcher."

 

[DetroitBORG]

You also have to look at the Fusion/Mondeo global volume to understand the cost benefits unique to Ford in this segment. Most midsize cars in the US are regional exclusives. So yeah, Ford is killing it if they can basically dominate this segment with a global product and do it with higher ATPs than the volume leader. Oh, and make a luxury variant (MKZ) that sells better than all but one Caddy nameplate.

 

[SP1966]

You also have to look at the Fusion/Mondeo global volume to understand the cost benefits unique to Ford in this segment. Most midsize cars in the US are regional exclusives. So yeah, Ford is killing it if they can basically dominate this segment with a global product and do it with higher ATPs than the volume leader. Oh, and make a luxury variant (MKZ) that sells better than all but one Caddy nameplate.

I thought the Camry and Passat were also sold globally?

 

[falcon lover]

I thought the Camry and Passat were also sold globally?

No. Toyota sell the Camry in North America and Japan. The WV Passat for NA is exclusive for that market. A cheaper and bigger version than the european Passat

 

[ausrutherford]

No. Toyota sell the Camry in North America and Japan. The WV Passat for NA is exclusive for that market. A cheaper and bigger version than the european Passat

Our Passat is also sold in China.

 

[DetroitBORG]

I don't you can overstate how unique the Fusion is in this segment, and it has tremendous advantages. GM is trying to globalize with Malibu, but clearly that failed. The Fusion could have easily failed to meet US customer expectations because of it's European roots, same with Escape...but look at the tremendous success of both. You have to think of Ford in global terms, their sales success in NA needs to be combined with other markets to get an idea of just how successful One Ford has been. And the Focus, which is a particularly alien compact to the US customer, is the world's bestselling car and is among the top in its segment here. Absolutely nobody distributes cars across the planet like Ford does at this point, that's why they are so profitable and why they also struggle with launches.

 

[Bloggin]

The same Camry sold in the NA is sold in China and UK with minor trim piece changes. Same as the 2014 Fusion.

VW sells 3 different version of the Passat and 5 different versions of the Jetta globally(NA, China, etc), along with multiple generations at the same time.

Ford has started to do the same, with discontinued generations of vehicles(Focus, Mondeo, Edge, etc) from NA, continuing production in China, along with the current generation.

 

[ausrutherford]

The same Camry sold in the NA is sold in China and UK with minor trim piece changes. Same as the 2014 Fusion.

VW sells 3 different version of the Passat and 5 different versions of the Jetta globally(NA, China, etc), along with multiple generations at the same time.

Ford has started to do the same, with discontinued generations of vehicles(Focus, Mondeo, Edge, etc) from NA, continuing production in China, along with the current generation.

UK does not sell the Camry. Most of Europe just sells the Avensis.

 

[JBsC6]

The fusion is so beautiful and competent that consumers are going wild over it. They don't mind paying MSRP or near it to own this beauty. Ford shouldn't worry about being number 1 in this segment sales...better to reap profitability of consumer desire ...then be able to advertise best in segment sales...

Most camrys are leased near 200 a month....Hondas accord which is also a nice revamp....not as sexy as the fusion but they are leasing them out at 600 bank fee, plus tax tags and 259 a month for the nice looking accord sport. 3 years 36 k miles...

I don't believe fusion sports are any near that low inexpensive price...

Fords better off in number 4 with profitability.

Btw..altimas volume comes from subsidized leasing too....600 down, plus tax and tags and 215 a month.....

Sure you can option up higher cost models but the majority of sales are 215 a month altimas....

Again...transaction pricing on the fusion has the models with desirable and profitable options....

Not a 3 year lease throwaway that consumers view as an appliance with no passion of ownership.

Fords on a roll..

 

[germeezy1]

You also have to look at the Fusion/Mondeo global volume to understand the cost benefits unique to Ford in this segment. Most midsize cars in the US are regional exclusives. So yeah, Ford is killing it if they can basically dominate this segment with a global product and do it with higher ATPs than the volume leader. Oh, and make a luxury variant (MKZ) that sells better than all but one Caddy nameplate.

Actually Nissan (D platform), Toyota (MC platform) , and Honda (ACE platform) have an advantage over Ford in this area because presently the upcoming CD4 platform mates for the Fusion are still in development. Nissan, Toyota ( more so than others), and Honda enjoy unit cost advantages because many or most of their volume vehicles are based on the platform or share the platform of their mid sized entrants. Also all 3 platforms also support luxury variants as well unless of course you do not consider the Lexus RX, Lexus ES, Lexus CT, Acura MDX, Acura TL, or Infiniti JX luxury vehicles.