Ford proved that the domestic auto industry is ripe for a comeback by winning the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards with its Fusion Hybrid sedan and Transit Connect van.
A jury of 49 automotive journalists at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit picked the Fusion Hybrid over two other finalists — the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf/GTI — for the way it offers superb fuel efficiency without compromising on practicality, amenities, space or driving enjoyment. Twenty-nine cars were considered for the award; only vehicles that are all-new or substantially changed for 2010 were considered.
Several jurors made note of the fact that the Fusion Hybrid can drive on electric propulsion alone at speeds up to 47 mph, which is about twice the top speed the Toyota Prius achieves in electric-only mode. Many jurors also found it remarkable that the Fusion Hybrid looks and drives like a regular car while returning an estimated 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway.
“Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, the Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built,” said Csaba Csere, a freelance journalist and former editor-in-chief of Car & Driver magazine.
Amid robust applause and hoots from Ford fans in the audience, Mark Fields, executive vice president of Ford Motor Co., bounded across the stage with a broad smile on his face to accept the award for top car. “We are very, very excited and honored to be in the company of such esteemed competition,” he said.
No sooner had Fields left the stage than he was called back up to accept the North American Truck of the Year award for the Transit Connect, among even more vigorous clapping and hollering. “Well, I guess I can use the same speech,” he said. “We’re really, really excited — there’s no question about it.”
The Ford Transit Connect is a quirky choice in that the small cargo van is primarily intended as a commercial vehicle for small businesses. It has been sold in Europe for several years but is new to North America. It can be outfitted with shelves, drawers and other equipment to suit particular needs. The base version has only two seats and no rear windows, but it can be outfitted with a rear seat and windows.
Jurors favored the Transit Connect because of its ability to haul up to 1,600 pounds of cargo in a small package that gets an estimated 22 mpg city/25 mpg highway. “It blends plenty of utility and capacity with agile dynamic moves and excellent fuel efficiency,” Csere said. “Plenty of 3-ton vans and pickups could — and should — be replaced by these machines.”
The Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback were runners-up for the truck award among the 16 vehicles that were considered.
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