Spy photos of what seems to be a Ford Fusion crossover mule are making rounds online after the vehicle was spotted in Dearborn, Michigan.
According to reports, the model could be arriving after 2021 and will likely go up against the Subaru Outback, which is currently the top-selling midsize crossover in the United States.
The mule features a wagon-like body and has more ground clearance compared to its predecessor.
The Fusion crossover is expected to be Ford’s replacement for the Fusion, which the company plans to discontinue as it tries to cut down its car lineup in North America and completely get rid of conventional car body styles. Ford, however, is reportedly retaining the nameplate for the upcoming model.
Last month, a vehicle still in early development was spotted alongside a previous-generation Ford Escape. It was also believed to be the prototype for the new Fusion at the time, showing a slightly longer wheelbase and an overall roofline that is lower than most crossovers.
In June this year, shortly before announcing the sunset of the entire Fusion lineup, the Blue Oval also announced the end of production for the slow-selling Ford Fusion Sport for the 2020 model year.
At the time, a Ford spokesperson told Automotive News, “Our goal in the final year is to further simplify the offering and focus on maximizing the more popular SE, SEL, and Titanium models.”
And as proven by the recent spotting of the Fusion crossover, it does look like Ford is working to solidify its lineup with bigger, more family-friendly models in the coming years.
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