Why did Ford quit making fusions?
Ford Motor Company announced in 2018 that it would be discontinuing production of the Ford Fusion midsize sedan in North America by 2020. This decision was part of a broader strategic shift by the automaker to focus more on SUVs, crossovers, and trucks rather than traditional passenger cars.
Declining Sedan Sales
The primary reason Ford decided to stop making the Fusion was the declining popularity of sedans in the United States. Consumers have been increasingly gravitating towards larger, more versatile vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks in recent years. This shift in consumer preferences has led to plummeting sales of traditional passenger cars, including the Fusion.
In 2018, sedan sales in the U.S. accounted for only about 30% of the overall automotive market, down from around 50% a decade earlier. The Fusion was no exception, with its sales dropping by over 30% between 2017 and 2018 as buyers flocked to Ford's own lineup of SUVs and crossovers instead.
Ford's Strategic Shift
Beyond the Fusion's declining sales, Ford's decision to discontinue the model was also part of a broader strategic realignment for the company. Ford announced plans to phase out most of its traditional passenger car models in North America to focus more on trucks, SUVs, and crossovers - vehicle categories that were seeing stronger demand and higher profit margins.
This shift in focus allowed Ford to devote more resources towards developing and marketing the types of vehicles that customers were increasingly demanding. It also enabled the company to streamline its manufacturing operations and reduce costs by consolidating production around its more popular and profitable models.
The Fusion's Fate
Production of the Ford Fusion ended in 2020, with the last models sold as 2020 model year vehicles. While the Fusion was a popular and well-reviewed midsize sedan during its lifespan, its discontinuation was ultimately a strategic business decision driven by broader market trends and Ford's need to adapt its product lineup accordingly.
