• Ford Fusion Hybrid has been named one of Car and Driver magazine’s “10 Best” cars for 2010
• Ford Fusion recently won the prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year award
• Ford Fusion Hybrid is only the second hybrid ever to make the magazine’s “10 Best” list

A total of 58 vehicles were in the running for the Car and Driver “10 Best” list and all of the contenders were put through a week of testing, judged on three forms of criteria:

1. How well they performed their intended mission
2. How engaging and fun they were to drive
3. How much value they delivered

In addition to being fun to drive, the Fusion Hybrid offers an EPA estimated rating of 41 mpg in the city and the ability to travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

Despite the slump in the overall auto industry, sales of the Fusion Hybrid are impressive, accounting for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. Perhaps even more significant, more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands - mostly Toyota and Honda.

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Filed Under: Autos, Ford, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Fuel Efficient, General

Ford Motor Company has announced the development of an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for PHEVs.

“When plugged in, the battery systems of these specially equipped plug-in hybrids can communicate directly with the electrical grid via smart meters provided by utility companies through wireless networking. The owner uses the vehicle’s touch screen navigation interface and Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer to choose when the vehicle should recharge, for how long and at what utility rate.” Source: Ford

This is cool! Seriously cool. If you get home from work, it may still be during the utility company’s peak usage hours. Instead of plugging it in and paying a premium or hoping you remember to plug it in during off-peak hours, you will be able to plug your vehicle in and then it automatically starts charging at a set time. Convenient!

Ford currently has a fleet of 21 plug-in hybrid Escapes. All 21 of these vehicles will eventually have this communications technology installed.

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Filed Under: Ford, PHEV

It’s back to school time, which means that it is time for KBB to release its choices for the top 10 back to school cars. I’m not in the market for a car for either of my children (give me 10 years) but the list provides a guide for parents that may be car shopping for their children. The 2009 Ford Focus, which has seen a surge in sales thanks to the Cash for Clunkers program, came in at the top of KBB’s list.

“Like the honor student that can get good grades while maintaining a rockin’ social life, the Focus can live two lives. It can please the parents as a safe and economical buy, but still knows how to be the life of the party with its sporty driving dynamics and available voice-controlled SYNC communication and entertainment system.” Source: KBB

The 2009 For Focus manual transmission FWD has a combined fuel efficiency rating of 28 mpg. The vehicle averages 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg in the highway setting. However, the “MPG Estimates from Drivers Like You” section shows that the average fuel economy is actually 36.9 mpg. Of course, the way you drive will effect your fuel efficiency.

Other vehicles that made KBB’s Top 10 Back to School Cars list include the 2009 Honda Fit, 2010 Kia Soul, 2010 Mazda MAZDA3, 2009 Nissan Cube, 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, 2005 Ford Escape, 2006 Honda Civic, 2005 Scion xB, and the 2007 Suzuki SX4.

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Filed Under: Ford

In the most recent issue of Ford’s e-News, the company has announced its commitment to focus on increasing the fuel efficiency of its fleet of vehicles. Ford has applauded the government for accepting a single fuel efficiency guideline and has several measures planned to help meet these increased fuel efficiency standards.

Ford plans to have its EcoBoost technology on the majority of its vehicles by 2013 and is also considering six-speed transmissions and electric power assist steering to help increase its vehicle’s fuel efficiency ratings.

Ford also plans to have four electrified vehicles on the market during the next three years. These four vehicles include a batter-electric Transit Connect in 2010, a battery-electric Ford Focus in 2011, and next-gen hybrid and PHEVs in 2012.

In addition to its commitment to creating a more fuel-efficient fleet, the company also supports cap and trade. Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering commented on the cap and trade program in the e-News:

“Price signals matter. That is why we support a comprehensive, economy-wide, upstream national carbon cap and trade program that can slow, stop and reverse the growth of U.S. emissions while expanding the U.S. economy,” Cischke said. “Ford remains committed to delivering the fuel-efficient vehicles that will help achieve our nation’s goals, but it is imperative that government also address the need for lower carbon fuels, consumer incentives and price signals to adopt the technologies that will deliver a more fuel-efficient, greener future.”

I am impressed with Ford’s ability to stay afloat during the Detroit automaker meltdown. Its commitment to the national fuel efficiency goals is apparent after reading this latest news report.

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Filed Under: Ford

After 1,445 miles, the Ford Fusion Hybrid that was used in Ford’s 1,000-mile challenge finally ran out of gas. Over the course of the non-stop driving trip, the Fusion Hybrid was able to attain an average 81.5 mpg.

The challenge team, which included NASCAR star Carl Edwards, high mileage trailblazer Wayne Gerdes and several Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) engineers, raised more than $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by exceeding the goal of 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. The Fusion Hybrid’s official estimated range is approximately 700 miles per tank.

The hypermiling techniques used during the trek were detailed in Monday’s post - Fusion Hybrid Breaks 1,000 Mile Mark. Although the seven-person team was able to attain the 81.5 MPG average, the official EPA city fuel efficiency rating on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is 41 mpg.

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Filed Under: Ford

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was recently listed on KBB’s Top Green Cars for 2009 list. The vehicle has been making headlines over the past few months – from the 41-mpg fuel efficiency rating to problems with the battery supplier. Now, the vehicle is making news again – this time as part of the 1,000-mile challenge.

“The 1,000-Mile Challenge starts at around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ends the morning of Monday, April 27, in Washington, D.C. The team will drive for more than 43 hours continuously to reach the 1,000-mile goal. The drivers will do stints of between two and three hours each and will have regular breaks to ensure safe driving is maintained. Already rated as the most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America, the Fusion Hybrid will need to average at least 57 mpg to achieve its goal. During preliminary testing in preparation for this challenge, Ford engineers have reached as much as 70 mpg in the Fusion Hybrid by using Eco-Driving techniques.” (Source: PR Newswire)

This isn’t a specially modified Fusion Hybrid, there are no upgrades or tweaks made on the vehicle and it will run on standard 87 octane gas. The trip will help raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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Filed Under: Ford

The accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid keep rolling in. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the Fusion Hybrid its “Top Safety Pick” rating. This is the second Ford hybrid to receive this award – the IIHS has also named the Escape Hybrid as a “Top Safety Pick.”

“Customers no longer have to choose between fuel economy and safety - now they can have both with the Fusion and Escape hybrids,” said Susan Cischke, group vice president, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

The new Fusion Hybrid’s class-leading fuel economy bests the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city. It also features Ford’s innovative SmartGauge(TM) with EcoGuide, which coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.” (Source: PR Newswire)

The Fusion Hybrid comes with enhanced side-impact protection, 911 Assist, a Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) system, a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and a whole carload of air bags.

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Filed Under: Ford

Yesterday, Ford Motors celebrated a hybrid milestone at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri. The 100,000th hybrid rolled off the production plant after five years after launching the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid duos.

“As we celebrate our 100,000th hybrid, America’s interest in hybrid vehicles keeps growing, as does Ford’s commitment to advanced powertrain technologies that deliver greater fuel economy, lower emissions and help enhance our country’s energy security,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “No domestic automaker has more real-world experience with hybrid vehicle technology than Ford, and it shows in the quality and fuel economy of our vehicles.” (Source: PR Newswire)

In recent months, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has been named one of Kelley Blue Book’s “Best New Family Vehicles” as well as being named the “Best Crossover/SUV Value under $28,000” by IntelliChoice.com. The 2009 Escape/Mariner Hybrids offer drivers 31mpg on the highway and 34mpg in the city.

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Filed Under: Ford, Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford is the least affected of the Detroit 3 and will be using some of this “extra” money to launch a massive ad campaign for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid. Ford is pulling out all stops and going after the midsize sedan market targeting both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry as well as the Toyota Camry Hybrid.

“The new Fusion delivers on all the rational considerations that are important to mid-size car customers - as the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America, with quality on par with Camry and Accord, excellent resale value and low cost of ownership,” she said. “Add to that the unique attributes that only Fusion delivers - bold styling; a fun, engaging drive experience and smart technology and you have to ask, ‘Why wouldn’t you buy a Fusion?’” (Source: PR Newswire)

The 2010 Ford Fusion has official EPA fuel efficiency ratings of 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway; these figures are better than the numbers posted by both the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was hoping to best the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s fuel efficiency and in the city, it posted a huge increase over Camry’s rating. The Fusion Hybrid managed a 41 mpg city rating and 36 mpg highway rating.

The advertising campaign slogan is “We Speak Car” and the first commercial will be on American Idol’s Tuesday show. If you have ever watched any of the American Idol episodes then you know that Ford is a major sponsor and the ads usually feature Idol contestants. I happen to be an Idol fan (shh, don’t berate me) so I’ll be looking out for the Ford Fusion advertisement.

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Filed Under: Ford

Michigan is one of the states most severely affected by the current economic recession in the United States. Ford Motor Company is probably the least affected of the “Big Three” American automakers. Today, Ford has announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has provided the company $55 million in tax credits to help the company bring four hybrid or electric vehicles to the domestic market by 2012.

“The first of its kind in the country, the law provides refundable tax credits to encourage companies to invest in electric vehicle engineering and advanced automotive battery research in Michigan.

“Ford appreciates Michigan’s proactive positioning in support of these advanced technologies, which we believe are at the heart of a new generation of vehicles,” said Curt Magleby, director, Government Affairs. “Incentives to help concentrate research and engineering related to electric vehicles in Michigan will help position the state to become a leader in this emerging technology.” (Source: Ford)

The vehicles that Ford is focusing on to meet this goal is a fully battery commercial van scheduled to be released in 2010, a full battery electric car in 2011 and a plug-in hybrid by 2012. Right now, Ford is preparing for the much-anticipated release of its Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan hybrids.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid will run on a Duratec 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle engine and has 156 horsepower and 136 ft-lb of torque at 2250 rpm. The vehicle has a 17-gallon fuel tank and based on the 41 mpg (city) fuel efficiency rating, a tank of gas could potentially last close to 700 miles.

Although the company is dealing with a battery shortage issue, the vehicles are expected to hit the dealerships in the next few months. Consumers that purchase the 2010 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan Hybrids may be eligible for a $3,400 tax credit.

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Filed Under: Ford