Ford has begun building its five-seat Fiesta-based ‘mini-minivan at a rate of 680 per day at its factory in Cologne, Germany.

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The company has saved development costs for the Fusion by sharing as many parts as possible with the new European Fiesta with which it shares factory space. The Fusion has a taller roofline and more upright seating to increase interior room.


Ford and its suppliers have spent 525 million euros ($US513 million) preparing the factory.


Ford Europe is offering relatively wimpy 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol engines, a 1.4-litre diesel and no automatic option because most Europeans regard drivers of such cars as equally wimpy.


Brazilian-built versions earmarked for the US as 2004 models are expected to get 1.8 and two-litre petrol engines plus automatic and four-wheel drive options.

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