Ford Models Back in the Car of The Year Hunt
DETROIT, Mich., Dec. 13 - For the second straight year, Ford has placed both a car and a truck in the coveted North American Car and Truck of the Year finals. Ford vehicles also were voted both car and truck finalists in back-to-back years in 1995-96. No other automotive brand has achieved this feat since the awards were founded in 1994.
The Ford Fusion mid-size sedan and the Ford Explorer SUV have been named finalists for the 2006 North American Car of the Year and Truck of the Year awards respectively. Last year, Ford Escape Hybrid and Ford Freestyle were both named finalists for the NATOTY, while Ford Mustang was a COTY finalist. (Ford Escape Hybrid was later named the 2005 North American Truck of the Year – itself a back-to-back accomplishment as the Ford F-150 had been named 2004 North American Truck of the Year.)
The 2006 Fusion is one of the most distinctive sedans on the road. It offers a unique combination of styling, tough build, spacious and versatile interiors, and superior driving experience. Cars.com recently reported that Fusion had the largest increase of Web searches for the month of November.
"The all-new Fusion’s bold design and dynamic driving character are winning votes from customers and automotive experts alike," says Ben Poore, Ford Car marketing manager. "Our dealers are thrilled to have it in their lineup. And they can’t keep Fusion on their lots very long."
The new 2006 Ford Explorer improves on the best-selling combination of power, capability, flexibility and safety that has made it the best-selling SUV for 15 straight years. An all-new 292-horsepower 3-valve 4.6-liter V-8 powertrain with a smooth-shifting, fuel-saving six-speed transmission gives Explorer more power and capability with more refinement and the quietest ride in its class. In addition, the 2006 Ford Explorer – and Mercury Mountaineer – earned the government's highest possible 5-star front and side crash test ratings in driver and passenger categories.
"The 2006 Explorer is simply the best Explorer ever," says Barry Redler, Ford SUV marketing manager. "It has unmatched refinement and safety technology and it is more capable than ever. That’s saying a lot, since Explorer has set the pace for SUVs for 15 years."
The Fusion’s bold three-bar grille front-end design is the future face of Ford, and will next be seen on the 2007 Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle – a dynamic entry into industry’s hottest market in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Similarly, the new Explorer is the inspiration for the new 2007 Explorer Sport Trac sport utility truck that raises the bar in the segment it created by combining the best traits of Ford’s pickup truck and SUV heritage. The new Sport Trac will hit the market in the spring of 2006.
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