Ford Touts Lower Repair Costs of 2013 Ford Fusion

[FFTeam]

Just the Facts:
-Ford is projecting that low-speed, rear-impact repair costs for the 2013 Ford Fusion will be lower than for the outgoing model.
-Ford said the 2013 Fusion saves $267 in repair costs to replace the rear bumper cover and panel assembly on its rear deck lid versus the 2012 Fusion.
-The company said about 19 percent of Fusion crashes involve a rear impact.

DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is projecting that low-speed, rear-impact repair costs for the 2013 Ford Fusion will be lower than for the outgoing model.

Ford said the 2013 Fusion saves $267 in repair costs to replace the rear bumper cover and panel assembly on its rear deck lid versus the 2012 Fusion. The Thursday statement is noteworthy in that major automakers generally don't tout the repair costs of vehicles as a key selling point.

Ford attributed the lower repair cost on the 2013 Fusion to a "new deck lid integration panel."

The company said about 19 percent of Fusion crashes result in a rear impact. It also gushed about the redesigned Fusion's "beautiful rear end."

"Ford anticipates 2013 Fusion low-speed rear-end repair costs to be 3 percent lower than Toyota Camry and 27 percent cheaper than Nissan Maxima," Ford said in a statement posted on its Web site. "Rear-end costs are more significant than other body parts for replacement because they are most likely to need to be replaced. Statistically, rear-end collisions are among the most frequent accidents."

However, outside analysts that track such things as auto repair costs, such as CarMD.com, have yet to weigh in on Ford's claims.

Earlier this year, CarMD.com named Toyota as the No. 1 manufacturer in the U.S., based on a ranking derived from the fewest percentage of "check engine-related" problems and the lowest average repair cost. The study noted: "Domestic manufacturers dropped out of the top five, with Ford moving from No. 4 to No. 9 and GM dropping from No. 5 to No. 8."

CarMD.com pegged the average vehicle repair cost in the U.S. at $340.96.

Edmunds says: Ford tries an unusual approach in pitching the 2013 Fusion — but is this something that will make or break a deal in the minds of most car shoppers?

Text Source:Edmunds.com