Ford Motor Company responded to reports last week that the next-generation Ford Fusion and Mondeo mid-size cars would be built in and exported from China from 2020, rejecting the notion in a statement sent out to numerous publications.
“We have no plans to export the next-generation Fusion/Mondeo from China to North America and Europe,” the statement read. “Fusion/Mondeo are an important part of the Ford car lineup. We will have more information to share about the next Fusion/Mondeo at a later date.”
Although Ford is denying the reports, shifting production of the American-market Ford Fusion and European-market Mondeo from their current hometowns (Hermosillo, Mexico and Valencia, Spain, respectively) to China would make sound financial sense. Company President and CEO Jim Hackett is looking to cut billions of dollars in expenses over the next five years, and at the same time, reinvigorate the automaker’s business in China. Slashing costs from car production would make especially good sense because cars tend to offer lower margins than trucks and SUVs, and because that segment continues to lose market share to crossovers.
Sales of the Ford Fusion in the USA have slipped 22 percent this year through November, to 192,179 units.
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