Ford Fusion Hybrid Named North American Car of the Year
January 10, 2010
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was chosen over 15 competitors to be named 2010 North American Car of the Year. The award was announced January 11, 2009.
The 2010 North American Car of the Year recognizes the most outstanding vehicle of the year based on many factors, including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous model. The jury is composed of 50 automotive journalists in Canada and the United States, representing newspapers, magazines, Web sites, television and radio shows.
The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient sedans in America. The new models offer more power, class-exclusive technologies – such as BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Ford SYNC® – and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid was introduced as an all-new model for 2010. The Ford Hybrid team has developed a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy. Additionally, the propulsion system for the Ford Fusion Hybrid transitions between gas and electric power and back more efficiently and seamlessly.
The overall system upgrade allows the Ford Fusion Hybrid to operate longer at higher speeds in electric mode. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
The Fusion Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more connected to the hybrid driving experience, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster execution that helps coach drivers on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.
SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide features two high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles per gallon.
EcoGuide uses a multilayered approach to coach the driver to maximum fuel efficiency.
A tutorial mode built into the display helps the driver learn about the instrument cluster and the hybrid in a whimsical way that does not overpower. Technical enthusiasts will love the detailed gauges that will help them learn to become more efficient in their driving. Everyday drivers will love another new feature in this same gauge cluster.
Called “Efficiency Leaves,” the system “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward customers for efficient driving.
Please contact us for more information on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
January 10, 2010
The 2010 Ford Transit Connect handily hauled home the 2010 North American Truck of the Year. The award was announced at a 2010 North American International Auto Show news conference.
The Transit Connect is part of the Ford global portfolio of products, and was introduced to North America in 2009 to meet the unique needs of small business owners. The Transit Connect is a spacious, fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles, and it’s ideal for navigating U.S. cities.
The 2010 North American Truck of the Year recognizes the most outstanding vehicle of the year based on many factors, including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous model. The jury is comprised of 50 automotive journalists in Canada and the United States, representing newspapers, magazines, web sites, television and radio shows.
This is the 17th year of the award, and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect was selected above nine other competitors. Ford has a bit of experience winning this award. Most recently, the F-150 was the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. A Ford vehicle has taken home the honors five times; more than any other brand.
The 2010 Ford Transit Connect is a global Ford product that can be adapted to multiple commercial business applications. It has more than double the cargo-carrying space of the Chevrolet HHR Panel, and it offers users a cargo payload of up to 1,600 pounds, which means that it can carry a larger payload than the full-size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck.
With 135 cubic feet of Transit Connect cargo volume, no other vehicle in the American market can deliver this combination of capacity and fuel economy.
Transit Connect is powered by a 2.0-liter I-4 engine with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The vehicle offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans with a rating of 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
More than 600,000 Ford Transit Connects have been sold since 2003, to customers in 58 countries and on four continents.
Please contact us for more information on the 2010 Transit Connect
