Ford Fusion named 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year

"Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers. The Fusion range has matured into a competitive roster of midsize sedans, able to compete with sales juggernauts such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It is no surprise the Fusion now ranks in the top 10 best-selling cars in America."

said Angus MacKenzie, Motor Trendeditor-in-chief.

The prestigious award from Motor Trend comes at a time when Fusion sales are already at an all-time high in the US, further positioning the vehicle as a formidable contender in the competitive midsize sedan market.

"The Motor Trend Car of the Year award is another testament of our commitment to delivering a world-class car lineup," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development, who accepted the golden calipers on behalf of the Ford team.

"Whether it is the best-in-class fuel economy or quality unsurpassed by Toyota or Honda, the Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are clear evidence that Ford is serious about our car lineup," added Kuzak.

"This is a great accolade for the Ford Fusion. This prestigious award comes at a great time, as our mid-size model sees positive feedback from the region. The all-new 2010 Fusion has hit it right with customers who seek value for money, sporty looks, great driving performance, spacious interiors, and an awesome sound system, all in one without the price tag."

said Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East's director of Sales.

To win the coveted Car of the Year award, Fusion outperformed the competition - including the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan - in six new categories: design achievement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value.

"The Fusion brought a vast assortment of choice that has the potential to appeal to every type of driver, from the eco-conscious to the sport-minded," said MacKenzie. "The Fusion's combination of comfort, fuel efficiency, assortment and technology made it a clear winner among our panel of judges."

The 2010 Ford Fusion offers more power through its new 2.5L engine (net 175hp), class-exclusive technologies such as Ford SYNC, Ambient Lighting, a 12-speaker Sony surround sound system, and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry. The 2010 Fusion is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.