Interesting. A coworker has a plug-in hybrid C-Max. I've seen another regular hybrid C-Max, and it was rare enough I still remember where I saw it. I realize I know of nobody with a Focus. I see them on the roads, but I don't know anyone with one. Another coworker has a Fusion, though. My impression of Ford is they make decent cars, but maybe my impression is flawed and evidenced by their lackluster sales.
Focus has gas terrible luck with transmissions. The dual clutch auto was bad. The fit fair and drive feel was also inferior to the Mazda 3, all it could compete on was price. It will be interesting to see how ford will make their fleet average mileage numbers without cars though. There is going to be a segment of Kia Soul clones out there that Ford will have to sell to make MPG figures
The Mazda 3 is a great car. Drives great, neat interior, good visibility, great build quality. I was a bit upset when the telescope could not fit in the car and I had to go with a different car. It's better than the Ford cars in every way, and less expensive.
The EPA is entertaining the idea of rolling back future target mpg standards. Ford has been playing with the idea of dropping sedans for a while and maybe they think now they'll be able to if the pressure from the EPA for efficiency targets is let up a bit.It will be interesting to see how ford will make their fleet average mileage numbers without cars though.
It's close to irrelevant, because a huge number of "crossovers" are just large hatchbacks. The way car architecture is designed these days, there are platforms on which cars, trucks, and SUVs are all built. The difference, e.g., between a Malibu and an Equinox, is mostly window dressing; same applies to a Prius and a Rav4, and there are many other examples across manufacturers (although I admittedly know very little about Ford). The fuel economy differences are real due to the added weight of a bigger body, and often AWD, but they're not huge.
My understanding is that the overall fuel economy of the fleet has to reach a certain number. I'm no expert, so I may be incorrect. I think that if Ford introduces an all electric truck that would count for a lot no matter that it's a truck (or that electric cars aren't really that great for the environment!). Edit: I mean to say that it's irrelevant in terms of fuel economy by my understanding. I actually think they're making a huge mistake strategically, as fashions change with the wind.