Ford doesn’t want to go unnoticed this time. Yes, this automaker wants to tell the world that it has produced its 100,000th hybrid SUV. It was a silver 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, which rolled down the assembly line at the Blue Oval’s Assembly Plant in Kansas City.

The world’s first hybrid SUVs - the Ford Escape Hybrid and twin Mercury Mariner Hybrid - are considered the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market. These SUVs have a fuel economy rating of 34 mpg in the city, 31 mpg in the highway. They will soon be joined by the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, the most fuel efficient midsize sedans in the United States, delivering 41 mpg city driving and 36 mpg highway.

That’s not all. The company also revealed its plan to bring next generation hybrids, pure battery-electric vehicles, plus a plug-in hybrid to the automotive market by 2012.

Image Credit: motorauthority

January 11, 2009 – A jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada has selected the Hyundai Genesis as the 2009 North American Car of the Year and the Ford F-150 as the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles in their segments.

The awards are based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Because the vehicles are new reliability is not a factor.

The awards are unique in the United States because they are given by automotive journalists who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites instead of a single publication. Also, unlike some other awards, the awards are financed entirely by the jurors.

The winners were announced today at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, however, the show does not give the awards and the voting does not take place there.

In December the top three cars and trucks were announced. The car finalists were the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The truck finalists were the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC.

The Genesis received 189 points, the Flex received 180 and the Jetta TDI received 131.

The F-150 received 259 points, the Ram received 167 points and the Mercedes received 74 points.

The awards were first given in 1994.

Today was the first time a Korean automaker has won.

Today was the fifth time Ford has won the North American Truck of the Year and the third win for the F-150. The other winners were the Expedition and Escape Hybrid.

Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm. Until the news conference Ms. Collins was the only person who knew the winners.

Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Chevrolet Malibu and the North American Truck of the Year was the Mazda CX-9.

 

[Source: North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards]

Image Credit: cars.com

Detroit Auto Show is just a few sleeps away. And earlier today, the list of finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards was released. Included in the list are two vehicles from Ford Motor Company – the 2009 Ford F-150 and the Ford Flex. The Hyundai Genesis is also included, marking the history of Korean automobiles as the first ever Korean vehicle to make it to the finals. So I guess Hyundai and FoMoCo are celebrating this time.

Contenders of the Hyundai Genesis for the Car of the Year award include the Ford Flex, Mazda 6, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Truck of the Year, on the other hand, is expected to be a battle between the 2009 Ford F-150, Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC, and the Dodge Ram.

To qualify for these very prestigious awards, vehicles must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. For this year, the jury, which is composed of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada, considered more than 50 vehicles but only 14 cars and 11 trucks made it to the semi-final round of voting.

Info Credit: North American Car of the Year
Image Credit: thetorquereport, myride