Ford Fusion Auto Start-Stop System Priced at Only $295; Technology Delivers Thousands of Dollars in Fuel Savings

DEARBORN, Mich., April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• New Ford Fusion is the first non-hybrid midsize sedan available with Auto Start-Stop; this fuel-saving technology offered in the U.S. for only $295
• With Fusion's 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, Ford Auto Start-Stop will help drivers save as much as $1,100 over five years at today's fuel prices versus midsize competitors
• Auto Start-Stop improves fuel efficiency by about 3.5 percent overall; predominantly city drivers can save up to 10 percent
• On sale this fall, Fusion offers customers the Power of Choice with the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment – two EcoBoost-powered gasoline engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid

With the national average price of gasoline nearing $4 a gallon, the new Ford Fusion offers yet another way for consumers to save money at the pump as the first non-hybrid midsize sedan available with Auto Start-Stop.

The fuel-saving technology will be offered for only $295, allowing more buyers to opt for the new technology and underscoring Ford's commitment to make fuel economy affordable for millions. Similar systems in other competitive cars can cost several thousand dollars.

"We expect the average Fusion driver with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and Auto Start-Stop will save about $1,100 more than other midsize sedan owners during five years of driving," said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion marketing manager. "That's cash in their pocket and time saved with fewer trips to the pump."

Auto Start-Stop saves fuel use when the car is standing and running at idle. Savings vary depending on driving patterns, but owners who spend most time in heavy urban areas and city traffic will benefit the most – up to 10 percent. On average, Auto Start-Stop improves fuel efficiency by about 3.5 percent.

Wasting gas while we wait

A study by the United States Department of the Treasury estimates that congestion consumed an extra 1.9 billion gallons of fuel in 2011, approximately 5 percent of all the gasoline used.

Communities across America – including Denver and Ann Arbor, Mich. – are considering ordinances banning excessive engine idling.

"Idling vehicles are consuming energy without doing any work," said Birgit Sorgenfrei, Ford's Auto Start-Stop program manager. "They're also producing exhaust gases in a concentrated space that can contribute to air quality problems like smog."

Studies show drivers encounter an average of 10 to 15 red lights and stop signs on a typical 20 mile commute, which can add 5 to 15 minutes of idle time and wasted gas.

Fast, seamless, no added maintenance

Ford is making Auto Start-Stop – one of the most popular features of hybrid vehicles – available with the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost-powered Fusion. When the Fusion comes to a stop, the engine can automatically switch off, consuming no gasoline and emitting no exhaust gases. As soon as the driver releases brake pedal, the engine seamlessly re-starts itself and is ready to go by the time the driver presses the accelerator pedal.

"Our team has put a lot of effort into calibrating the Auto Start-Stop on the Fusion to make it as transparent as possible to the driver and passengers," says Sorgenfrei.

Auto Start-Stop is the latest addition to the new Ford Fusion's industry leading suite of affordable, fuel saving technologies, including:

• EcoBoost engines, which combine turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing or Ti-VCT, with downsizing to deliver outstanding fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
• Electric power steering eliminating the engine-driven hydraulic pump, lines and fluid.
• Six-speed transmissions, which enable engines to run more efficiently by always selecting the best gear for top fuel economy.

On sale this fall, Fusion offers customers the Power of Choice with the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment – two EcoBoost-powered gasoline engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Fuel-economy includes:

• 2013 Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost: Delivering a projected 37 mpg highway
• 2013 Fusion Hybrid: Delivering at least a projected 47 mpg – 4 mpg  better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid
• 2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Delivering at least a projected 100 MPGe-plus rating – making it the world's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan

The story behind the new Fusion

For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and blogs.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company