The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named the North American Car of the Year today while Ford's Transit Connect picked up Truck of the Year.
For only the third time, a single manufacturer has swept the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards. Ford Motor claimed victory in the truck category with its quirky Transit Connect van, while the maker also captured the crystal car trophy with its Fusion Hybrid.
The dual win surprised even members of the 49-man jury considering the tough field both Ford products went up against. Jurors had to consider 29 different car models available in the U.S. and Canada, along with 16 trucks, before whittling down to the three finalists.
Along with the Fusion Hybrid, those finalists included the all-new Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen’s diesel-powered Golf TDI. On the truck side, the Transit Connect faced off against the Chevrolet Equinox crossover and the sporty Subaru Outback.
Flexibility was a major reason for the Ford Transit Connect's North American Truck of the Year win.
“This is esteemed company,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of the Americas, as he leapt to his feet to claim the first of the company’s two awards. A moment later, as the car award was announced, Fields seemed visibly stunned.
But he stressed that the victory underscores the direction the company – the only one of the Detroit Three not to take a government bailout last year – has set out for itself. “It’s a reaffirmation,” said Fields, adding that “This is a huge marketing opportunity for us and we will definitely use it to our advantage.”
Ford hasn’t been shy about taking advantage of American distaste for the auto industry bailout, one reason, analysts say it has fared markedly better than its rivals, in recent months.
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has won numerous awards, now including North American Car of the Year.
As to why the automaker could score so well, members of the NACTOY jury – which, in full disclosure, I am one of – point to several factors. The Fusion Hybrid was judged separately from the conventionally-powered Fusion sedan, which put an emphasis on its gasoline-electric drivetrain. In a segment of the market where the Japanese are seen as having the lead, Ford’s midsize offering actually gets 4 mpg better than the comparable Toyota Camry without much sacrifice in terms of drivability, a weakness for many hybrids.
The Transit Connect is an unusual entry into the American market. It was, in fact, designed for businesses trying to work on Europe’s crowded streets. It’s tall and roomy, yet takes up a surprisingly small space. Transit Connect is affordable and, perhaps most importantly, quite flexible.
This is the 17th season for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, which are not affiliated with the Detroit Auto Show. Last year’s winners were the Hyundai Genesis sedan – a first for a Korean carmaker – and the Ford F-150.
This is the fourth time a hybrid has won the car title, following most recently the Honda Civic, in 2006. That year, Honda became the first maker to take both the car and truck award, the latter going to its Ridgeline pickup. In 2007, General Motors pulled off the same feat with its Saturn Aura sedan and Chevrolet Silverado pickup.