Ford Fusion Energi Is Bright Spot In Green Car Sales

Green car sales have been disappointing this year. President Obama suggested there could be more than one million cars with plugs on American roads by the end of this year. In fact, the actual figure will be less than half that amount. With historically low gas prices the norm, sales of larger vehicles are way up while efficiency and environmental concerns have taken a back seat.

We are not always kind to Ford Motor Company here at Gas2. It survives mostly on sales of monstrous pickup trucks with testosterone laden styling. When it comes to green car sales, it seems to be more of a follower than a leader. So it may surprise you to learn that the Ford Fusion sedan is its second best selling vehicle at a time when sales of traditional passenger cars have shrunk to their lowest levels in decades.

Two of the stars of the Fusion lineup are the Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid, and the Fusion Hybrid, which has no plug. Both are especially hot in the Los Angeles market, where they are favorites of millenials looking for relatively affordable transportation up to 5 passengers that is also environmentally friendly. Both cars are rated 41 mpg highway, 43 city, and 42 combined. The Fusion Energi with its 14 gallon fuel tank has a total range of 610 miles, even though electric only range is a mere 21 miles.

The Fusion Energi is now the second best selling plug-in hybrid in America. When combined with sales of it sibling, the C-Max Energi, the pair outsells the Chevy Volt. That may be due in part to the Volt’s rather snug interior dimensions compared to the those of the Fusion and C-Max. Wade Jackson, Ford Fusion marketing manager, said: “The spike in Fusion Hybrid and Energi sales is a testament to Ford’s advanced engineering team developing fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive electric vehicles offering customers the widest range of choice in the segment.”

In LA, Fusion sales are up nearly 40% compared to June 2015. During the same period, Fusion Hybrid sales are also up 35%. In fact, sales in southern California are so strong, there are few if any of the cars available on dealer lots elsewhere in the country. By comparison, the total midsize sedan segment is down nearly 5% in LA through May, according to IHS Automotive data.

If you are looking for an affordable green car with room for 5, the Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi may be worth a test drive — if you can find one at a Ford dealer near you.

Source: Cleantechnica  Photo credit: Ford Motor Company