Looking to bolster its fleet of popular, mid-sized, economical Fusion brand Ford is investing 1.3 billion in a new automobile assembly plant in Hermosillo, Sonora.
The new Fusion is the next generation, mid-sized automobile Ford is banking on. They have had great success with their current model of Fusion and there is great hope their new generation will prove even more popular.
Unlike General Motors and Chrysler, Ford has focused quite effectively on mid-sized, fuel efficient vehicles, loaded with lots of high-tech features like GPS, Sirius satellite radio system and a wealth of other features designed to make their new models as comfortable as possible.
With gas prices now above $4 a gallon in most areas across the United States, smaller cars, especially mid-sized models are continuing to gain market share while larger models, SUV’s and trucks are seeing their market share decrease.
The new Ford Hermosillo assembly plant will also build the Lincoln MKZ, another of their popular mid-sized automobiles which offers comfort and fuel economy in exchange for size. Both these cars will be the first to be built on Ford’s new global midsize platform. They will also be the first offered with a choice of three engines: gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid, further proving Ford seems focused on dominating the market when it comes to buyers interested in fuel economy over grandiosity.
This latest $1.3 billion investment in Mexico by Ford comes after an earlier $3 billion in the country. This emphasis on automobile investment in Mexico is pushing the country closer to fourth place when it comes to automobile manufacturing. The Mexican Automobile Industry Association said Mexico posted a record for auto production in 2011, producing 2.56 million cars and light trucks. This set an auto export record at 2.14 million, which is likely to be shattered this year.
Ford has already produced more than 1 million automobiles in Mexico, and the new plant, which will ultimately employ 1,000 people, is likely to double that number. That means more jobs for Mexican workers, and more popular cars for Ford to sell.