Consumer Reports tips hat to Ford
22 models get recommendations
BY SARAH A. WEBSTER
DETROIT FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Photo from Global Auto Index
Ford Motor Co. has scored some bold play for its bold new moves.
The Ford Fusion sedan, launched in September 2005, has landed on the cover of Consumer Reports' influential new car and truck preview.
The Fusion and its catchy chrome-bar grille share the cover with the Toyota Yaris subcompact car.
Toyota Motor Corp. led all automakers with 31 models recommended by the magazine, which went on sale a day in advance of the official release date.
But Ford performed admirably, landing firmly in second place with 22 recommended models. It had 17 a year ago.
Among domestic rivals, Ford has the most recommended models. General Motors Corp. has 16, and Chrysler has six.
Ford beat Honda Motor Co., which has 16, and Nissan Motor Co., with seven.
Ford was celebrating the news late Wednesday.
"It's a confirmation that we are doing things right," said Bennie Fowler, vice president of global quality and advanced and manufacturing engineering.
"The quality at Ford Motor Co. today is as good as any import. ... I would like to invite consumers to test drive a Ford. They walked away from us before, but it's really time for people to come back and give it a try."
David Champion, the senior director of the Consumer Reports auto-test division, is scheduled to be in Detroit today, where he will officially release the magazine's results.
The Consumer Reports stamp of approval could boost Fusion sales, already at 120,994 this year.
Full list of models recommended by Consumer Reports
Acura RL
Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A3, 2.0T, wagon/hatch
Audi A4, 2.0T
Audi A6, 3.2 Quattro
Audi S4
BMW 325i
BMW 325xi, wagon/hatch
BMW 530i
BMW 650i Coupe
BMW Z4, convertible
Buick LaCrosse, CXL
Buick Lucerne, CXL
Cadillac CTS, 2.8L
Cadillac DTS
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet Impala, 3LT
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, wagon/hatch
Chevrolet Malibu, LS, 4-cyl.
Chevrolet Malibu, LT, V6
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler 300, touring
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser, convertible
Dodge Durango
Dodge Durango
Ford Crown Victoria LX
Ford Five Hundred, SEL AWD
Ford Five Hundred, SEL FWD
Ford Focus ZX3
Ford Focus ZX4 SES
Ford Focus ZX4 ST
Ford Freestyle, SEL AWD
Ford Fusion ZX5 S
Ford Fusion, 4-cyl.
Ford Fusion, V6
GMC Yukon
Honda Accord EX, 4-cyl.
Honda Accord, EX V6
Honda Civic, ES
Honda Civic, EX, manual transmission
Honda Civic, hybrid
Honda Civic, SI
Honda Element
Honda Fit, base
Honda Fit, sport
Honda Odyssey
Honda Pilot
Honda Ridgeline
Honda S2000, convertible
Hyundai Azera, Limited
Hyundai Entourage
Hyundai Sonata, GLS V6
Hyundai Tucson
Infiniti FX35
Infiniti M35,X, V6 AWD
Jeep Liberty
Kia Amanti
Kia Sedona
Kia Sorento
Lexus GS300
Lexus GX
Lexus IS250
Lexus RX 330
Lexus RX 400h
Lexus SC430
Lincoln Town Car, signature
Lincoln Zephyr
Mazda MX-5 Miata, convertible
Mazda3, grand touring
Mazda3, manual transmission
Mazda5
Mazda6
Mercury Grand Marquis
Mercury Milan
Mercury Montego
Mitsubishi Endeavor
Mitsubishi Galant, ES, 4-cyl.
Mitsubishi Galant, GTS, V6
Nissan 350Z, convertible
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Murano, SL
Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Xterra
Pontiac G6, Base
Pontiac Torrent
Pontiac Vibe, base, wagon/hatch
Porsche Boxter, convertible
Saab 9-2X, wagon/hatch
Saab 9-5
Scion tC, base
Scion tC, TRD
Scion xB, automatic transmission
Scion xB, manual transmission
Scion xB, wagon/hatch
Subaru B9 Tribeca
Subaru Baja
Subaru Forester, 2.5X
Subaru Impreza, 2.5i
Subaru Impreza, 2.5i, wagon/hatch
Subaru Impreza, WRX Sti
Subaru Impreza, WRX TR
Subaru Outback, 2.5i, wagon/hatch
Suburu Outback, 3.0 R VDC, wagon/hatch
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Avalon, XLS
Toyota Camry , hybrid, 4 cyl.
Toyota Camry Solara, convertible
Toyota Camry XLE V6
Toyota Camry, hybrid, 4-cyl.
Toyota Camry, LE, 4-cyl.
Toyota Corolla, LE
Toyota Highlander, hybrid
Toyota Highlander, limited
Toyota Matrix, standard, wagon/hatch
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius, hybrid
Toyota RAV4, base
Toyota RAV4, limited
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tundra
Volkswagon Passat, V6
Volvo S40
Volvo S60
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