When did Ford make the first Fusion?
Ford introduced the first Fusion for the 2006 model year, with sales beginning in fall 2005. This marked Ford’s return to a traditional midsize sedan aimed at competing with the best-sellers in the segment.
The Fusion’s arrival represented a major pivot in Ford’s lineup. It replaced earlier Contour/Mystique models and launched under Ford’s CD3 platform family, aligning the sedan with a new design language and a shift toward more modern engineering. The first-generation Fusion was produced and sold through the 2006–2012 model years, laying the groundwork for a longer lifecycle that would see a second generation debut in 2013. Beyond North America, the Fusion’s badge has lived on in markets where Ford markets a closely related model under different names, while the North American market eventually saw the Fusion discontinued after the 2020 model year.
Launch timeline and market presence
Context and evolution within Ford’s lineup
The Ford Fusion emerged as a cornerstone of Ford’s mid-size sedan strategy in the mid-2000s. It was designed to compete with established players in the segment and to replace aging models that had long carried Ford’s sedan ambitions. The first generation established a footprint that Ford would build on with updates and a second generation in the next decade.
What happened after the first Fusion
After its initial years, the Fusion continued through a second generation beginning with the 2013 model year, bringing redesigned styling, updated powertrains, and newer technology options, including hybrid variants. In North America, Ford eventually ended Fusion production after the 2020 model year, marking the end of an era for Ford’s traditional family sedan in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers. The Fusion name, meanwhile, continues to be familiar to Ford buyers in other regions where a closely related Mondeo-based model remains in circulation.
Summary
The first Ford Fusion went on sale as the 2006 model year in late 2005, representing Ford’s key entry into a competitive midsize segment. Its early years established a platform and design approach that carried through a second generation and a late-career discontinuation in North America around 2020, underscoring a broader industry shift away from traditional sedans toward SUVs and crossovers. The Fusion remains a notable milestone in Ford’s product history and a reference point for the brand’s pursuit of modernity in the midsize segment.
