More than a year back we had reported Ford India’s intention to discontinue the Fusion (read here), and now with the launch of the Figo nearing the US car maker has pulled the curtains on the Fusion. The Fusion never really took off and with relatively small volumes it was never a profit earner for the company. However with the Ford Figo, things are said to change. The small car brigade is going to become very interesting in times to come.

Ford’s mid size sedan Fusion has been named Motor Trend magazine’s 2010 car of the year. The Fusion was chosen best of 23 new or significantly upgraded vehicles and the full range of Fusion models impressed the judges, from the four-cylinder entry level vehicles to the all-wheel drive sport and hybrid versions. The Fusion, which has become one of the top 10 selling vehicles in the United States, was redesigned for 2010.

Motor Trend tested the vehicles on acceleration, braking, handling, noise and responsiveness under various road and traffic conditions. It also considered design, fuel efficiency, safety and value.

Ford India plans to discontinue the Fusion. The Fusion really never took off and has had poor sales. When it was launched in 2004, expensive hatch backs really didn’t sell. Ford did resort to many price cuts to push the car, even trimming it under 4 meters in order to get excise benefits. But all that in vain because it really didn’t as much as Ford thought it would.

“We will eventually phase it out due to poor sales,” Michael Boneham, president and MD of Ford India said.

We thought the lack of diesel engine was the reason for the Fusion not to sell, but then Ford introduced the fantatic Fiesta Duratorq engine. The diesel engine really didn’t fire the sales. One of the reasons for the Fusion to be a slow moving car out of Ford’s stockyard was the high pricing and bland styling.