Foxy Roxy
As most of you know, Ford Motor Company graciously donated a car to us for our wedding road trip. She’s a 2010 Ford Fusion that we named Roxy. We get a lot of questions about her from our “guests,” so she deserves a little more explanation.
First, I need to make an awful confession: I don’t like cars and I don’t like driving. Never have. My Dad is really into cars, was an auto mechanic once upon a time, always changed the oil himself, explained carburetors to me when I was six, etc. He was sure that I’d share his love of cars.
But I just didn’t. Driving for hours bored me when I could instead walk or bike and explore a city in a very personal way, interacting with people and seeing storefronts and details instead of roaring past endless asphalt at 45 MPH. This feeling intensified when I moved to NYC and later SF, where cars are hard to park and go slower than subway trains.
However, for the Wedding Road Trip, we obviously needed a car (“wedding train excursion” and “wedding stagecoach ride” just don’t sound the same). We wanted to support the American car manufacturers in some way, and thought we could promote a car and get some people interested in buying a Ford instead of, for example, a Kia. This isn’t blind patriotism – rather a policy that keeps jobs and unique skills, as well as money, in the US at a tough time. Ford was interested in a partnership, particularly as they are looking at ways to reach out to younger generations through social media marketing via blogs, Facebook, and Twitter.
To make a long story short, I am happy to report that the Ford Fusion rocks. I have never liked a car before, but I love Roxy. Let me count the ways:
- 30 MPG on average – and she’s not a hybrid (though a hybrid version is available).
- Comfortable seats. Really. My butt tends to go numb after 90 minutes in the car, but I have been in total comfort despite driving more than eight hours some days.
- Little details that matter, like a USB port, multiple power plugs, a rear view camera for backing up, and separate temperature controls for driver and passenger.
- She easily fits 4 people plus a big trunk and yet is small enough to readily park on the streets on NYC. For reals…I didn’t know that was possible.
- The car has pickup – it barely hums at 70 MPH and we have accidentally driven above 90 many times because it feels like 40. And when you need to accelerate, Roxy takes off. She’s a speeding ticket waiting to happen – oh wait, it already happened.
- A stylish look – she’s a pretty car.
In short, Roxy Fusion has been the perfect road trip car – fuel efficient, fast, spacious but not too big, and cool. She works well in the city and the country. And let me be clear – if I didn’t like the Fusion, I would have no qualms about ripping it, and I certainly wouldn’t promote it. But take it from a car-hater: the Fusion is worth checking out.
Tags: #forddrive, 2010 ford fusion sel I4, ford fusion wedding road trip, roxy fusion
If I were looking for a new car, I’d definitely consider the Ford Fusion–partly because it sounds reliable and well-equipped, and partly because I dig this creative marketing effort. I’m glad you two could make a deal with Ford to decrease your road trip costs while introducing a solid product to people who might not know about it. =)
The Fusion’s made in Hermosillo, MX. Remind me, which state is MX?
(I know, I know, most of the suppliers are American, as are the engineers and designers, as is the company.)
I still prefer the Focus, which is made at the “Michigan Assembly Plant.” Can’t get more American (or functional) than that.
In related news — Chris, I don’t care where you are on Sunday, you’re dragging Jaime to a bar to watch the Confederations Cup Final. The US in an international soccer final. Unbelievable.
I was at Kezar for the game against Spain today, and the place was exploding with cheers and non-ironic “U-S-A” chanting. Fantastic.
I actually considered getting one of these myself about a year ago. As an aside, I forgive you for sounding a bit like a corporate shill - there is really no good way to write an article of this type without sounding like a Ford marketing representative. (nothing wrong with that - I grew up a Ford guy).
@Rob: To be clear, we didn’t ask Jaime & Chris to say anything about the vehicle. This is their trip, their rules. All we did was ask that they take care of the car and let us know if there were any difficulties. Everything they’re saying is completely of their own doing.
@Matt: while the Fusion may be assembled in Mexico, the majority of the parts are made & designed right here in the U.S. Part of the challenge is the necessity to spread our manufacturing across a number of plants, as well as to place the appropriate vehicles near strategic distribution centers.
Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company
Lori- your comment made me smile- you sell it better than we do!
Seriously though, I’m digging on the car in a way that’s just a little bit strange. Perhaps I’ll marry Roxy instead…
I recently bought a 2010 Fusion - first American car and I love it!!