The Quiet American: My First Drive in a new Ford

In 2008, the American auto industry appeared on the verge of utter collapse. General Motors, once an icon of industry, and the largest automaker in the world had become a punch line to every joke about corporate hubris. (My favorite being “If we ever want to end the war on drugs we should just put GM in charge of selling them). Astonishingly, Chrysler as in even worse shape! Chrysler was the battered bride of a failed marriage with Daimler (Mercedez-Benz) which had left it with a gutted corporate office and a line up of cars which seem to have been designed with an active disdain for their buyers. (Honestly – have you ever been in a Neon? It gives you the impression that who ever planned it had an active hatred of any poor fucker unlucky enough to step inside.)

Then there was Ford. While the rest of the American Auto Industry was staying with the long held status quo and keeping their long time leaders, Ford was trying something new. The face of that new approach was Alan Mullaly. Famed for his accomplishments at Boeing Alan was initially viewed as a dark horse when he stepped into the Ford C suite. While Boeing was also a long standing American institution in need of strong leadership to bring new product and end a slump there are some big differences. Boeing relies on 5 products or less, with R&D times that can stretch for decades, a small pool of buyers and one real competitor Ford swims in different seas. Ford has dozens of competitors, five brands and a R&D pipeline based on the assumption that Americans would keep buying frame on ladder SUVs and pickups forever as long as they were comfortable and had a blue oval on the front. Alan thought different, and shortly after taking the helm reinvigorated R&D for Ford’s small car lineup taking the giant risk that Americans would move back to small American cars if they had some good ones to choose for. So far his risk appears to be paying off. Ford skirted bankruptcy.

And their new cars are fantastic.

On a trip this week to Minneapolis I was lucky enough to be the first driver of a 2011 Ford Fusion SE. On first inspection the Fusion is a striking car. It is appealingly shaped with chrome accents which hint at prestige, not rap video aspirations. Mine had eye catching optional projector fog lamps and was painted in a metallic gray/green (we’ll call it green marble) which nicely differentiated it from the anonymous silver hoards without hinting at my only child syndrome induced need for attention.

Stepping inside, it was well finished and spacious. The controls were intuitive and the interior plastics had a pleasant softness to them. During one outing I chauffeured three full sized Minnesotans on a 15 minute drive to lunch without any complaints from the back seat, even from a grain fed six footer. The Sirius radio worked well and the speakers capably supported late night jam sessions with the 90s pop radio station blaring.

Typically I drive a 2000 Integra manual coupe which has I love for its peppiness, driving dynamics and overall fun. While I would not describe the Fusion as fun per se, it is certainly fun capable. With a strong V6 and responsive transmission the Ford can feel down right sprightly on runs down on ramps. Perhaps more importantly excellent brakes paired with active (but not hyper active) traction control made the car feel in control even during snow driving and hard breaking. On several occasions while hitting unexpected ice, the traction control quickly eased the car back into full control without giving the disconcerting feeling that the car is in charge I have experienced in other cars. Good rubber sitting on eye catching 18 inch rims and well weighted steering give the car a planted feel on back featuring hard corners.

The Fusion fits in the Ford line up as a midsize sedan meant to compete with the Camry, Accord, the dreadful Malibu and the embarrassing Sebring. It rests snugly between the Taurus and Fiesta in size and price. I don’t think I will be giving up my sports car aspirations any time soon, but if the day ever comes that I have car seats in the back, the Fusion would absolutely make the list. 

Master of the Universe

Until the age of 11, my favorite thing in the world was to left alone at the beach or along a stream to build. What I built always depended on where I was. If I was by rocky stream, I would build dams and if I was on the beach I would  build sprawling sand castles with foot thick walls.

I would spend an hour pacing my construction site, thinking about how it could best be utilized. Next, it was time to gather provisions. I would walk the surrounding area filling my towel or sweatshirt with supplies. Interesting rocks, shells, water worn sticks... my mind racing to figure out exactly how they would fit into the big picture.

I would put endless time and attention into these small feats of engineering, and I could not be pulled away by any means or for any reason until the creek was stopped, the fleet was fully outfitted or the castle stood impervious above the tide. My parents would try to coax me away with food or trips to other places -- but nothing in the world could be as important as realizing my vision for that particular spot.

As the sun was going down, and it was time to go home I would survey my creation. 500 lbs of rock bringing nature to a stop. Mountains of sand surveying miles of beach. The moment of seeing my dream realized was sometimes almost too much to handle. With my hands raw from sand and rock, my muscles sore and my face sun burned I wound stand for a moment knowing I was the master of the universe.

Then the surge of pain would come. 

The water might get around the damn. 

The older kids might wreck my castle. 

I feared the monuments I had built to me and my ability would never stand the test of time.

With that knowledge I would destroy what I had built until there was nothing.