FORD FUSION HYBRID EARNS SPOT ON CAR AND DRIVER’S LIST OF ‘10BEST’ CARS FOR 2010

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The hits keep coming for America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, the Ford Fusion. The Fusion Hybrid has been honored as one of CAR and DRIVER magazine’s “10Best” cars for 2010, just weeks after winning the prestigious MOTOR TREND Car of the Year® award.

“CAR and DRIVERis always looking for those cars that are most engaging to drive, and in our experience the Ford Fusion Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle that really delivers a fun driving experience,” said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, CAR and DRIVER, noting that the Fusion Hybrid is only the second hybrid ever to make the magazine’s “10Best” list.

“We were very impressed with how seamlessly the hybrid powertrain functioned,” Alterman said. “We were also impressed with Ford SYNC® and how seamlessly it worked.”

But Alterman says what really sealed the deal for Fusion Hybrid is the simple fact that it’s fun.
“The vehicle is entertaining,” he explained. “It’s really fun to drive, and we had fun trying to improve our mileage using the SmartGauge™ technology.”

A total of 58 vehicles were in the running for the CAR and DRIVER“10Best” list. All of the contenders were put through a week of rigorous testing and judged based on three criteria: how well they perform their intended mission, i.e. luxury, sport; how engaging and fun they are to drive; and how much value they deliver.

“Being ranked one of CAR and DRIVER’s ‘10Best’ cars for 2010 is high praise indeed,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development. “In addition to being fun to drive, the Fusion Hybrid offers unsurpassed fuel economy that our customers truly appreciate with an EPA estimated rating of 41 mpg in the city and the ability to travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.”

Despite the slump in overall industry sales, 2009 has been a record-breaking year for the Ford Fusion. Sales are at an all-time high, with the Fusion Hybrid accounting for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. Perhaps even more significant, more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda.

Fusion Hybrid awards and accolades
Additional awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:

• “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• 2009 Ward’s Interior of the Year Special Achievement Award for Best Graphic Display for SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster
• Great Car for the Long-haul Salesman by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
• Named one of America’s Top 40 New Cars by MOTOR TREND magazine
• Rated the No. 1 Hybrid Family Sedan by CAR and DRIVER in a recent comparison test by the magazine
• Named 2009 Editors Choice for Fuel Sipper by CAR and DRIVER
• Named Best Hybrid for the Money in the Midsize Car segment by cars.com
• Named one of 2009 Top 10 Green Cars by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
• Earned The Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Value”

CARS, CROSSOVERS DRIVE FORD’S NOVEMBER SHARE GAIN

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Strengthened car and crossover sales fueled Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s U.S. sales performance in November. Car sales were up 14 percent and crossovers were up 26 percent for the month, with total sales of 118,536, essentially equal to year-ago sales.

“Consumer demand for our new high-quality, fuel-efficient products is driving Ford’s market share gains,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing Sales and Service. “Customers are rewarding Ford for its new vehicle lineup, featuring new technologies including SYNC, MyKey and Adaptive Cruise Control.”

Ford estimates its total market share in November was higher than a year ago and higher than its share in the first 10 months of 2009. Ford’s November retail share was up for the 13th time in 14 months.

“The Ford plan is working, led by the strength of our product lineup and customer demand for our new cars, utilities and trucks,” said Czubay. “Consumers increasingly are noticing that the Ford difference is our great products, our strong business and our leadership in quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart technologies and value.”

November Sales Highlights

• All-new Ford Taurus sales totaled 4,669, up 54 percent versus a year ago. Dealers reported retail sales were nearly double year-ago levels.
• Ford Fusion, recently named Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year, also posted a sales increase of 54 percent versus year-ago levels. In early November, Fusion set a new full-year sales record. With November results now complete, Fusion year-to-date 2009 sales total 161,819. The previous full-year record, set in 2007, was 149,552.
• Other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars posting increases included Ford Focus (up 24 percent) and Mercury Milan (up 40 percent).
• Crossover utilities also posted strong sales increases: Ford Escape was up 51 percent and set a new November sales record; Ford Edge up 27 percent; Mercury Mariner up 5 percent. In addition, sales of the all-new Lincoln MKT crossover totaled 648, its highest sales month to date.
• Ford’s new EcoBoost engine technology and hybrid vehicles are winning customers, too. For example, the conquest rate for the Taurus SHO is 60 percent. EcoBoost provides customers up to 20 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 15 percent reduction in emissions versus larger-displacement engines. EcoBoost is standard on the Taurus SHO and available on the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT.
• Sales of hybrid vehicles totaled 2,361, up 73 percent versus a year ago. Ford hybrid models include the Ford Fusion, Ford Escape, Mercury Milan and Mercury Mainer.

Ford Fiesta
The all-new Fiesta – which debuts Wednesday at the Los Angeles International Auto Show – will further grow Ford’s car lineup. This new entry in the U.S. – available in four- and five-door body styles – will set a new small car benchmark for fuel economy, safety, connectivity and powertrain technology in its segment.

North American Production
Ford plans to build 550,000 vehicles in the first quarter 2010, an increase of 201,000 units (58 percent) compared with the first quarter 2009.

Ford’s fourth quarter production plan is unchanged from the previous forecast of 570,000 vehicles.

Ford's 10th Annual Sustainability Report Details Progress on Blueprint for Sustainability

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The 2008/2009 reported entitled “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Future Works” updates the company’s progress in key areas of climate change, fuel economy, mobility, vehicle safety and human rights.

The report reaffirms Ford’s strong commitment to its sustainability strategy to support positive social change and reduce the environmental impact of its products and facilities while ensuring economically viable for the long term.

“Our economic and environmental goals are aligned. In fact, we believe that the best way for us to be more profitable is to make our business and products more sustainable,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.

Included in the report are sections dealing with climate change that summarize the company’s progress toward its CO₂ reduction goal, its approach to climate change policy, vehicle and fuel and technologies to achieve improved fuel economy for Ford products, the company’s accelerated electrification strategy, human rights initiatives and how the One Ford plan is addressing the economic challenges facing the industry today.

“We recognize these issues are increasingly important to our stakeholders, including our customers, investors and business partners,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We want them to understand that we will continue to pursue our sustainability agenda despite very challenging economic conditions.”

In the interest of the environment as well as cost savings, Ford has elected not to do a traditional print version of the report. The full report is now available online at www.ford.com/go/sustainability.

Sustainable Progress
Significant progress highlighted by Ford in its 10^th annual report for 2008/2009:

• Company remains on track to reach its goal to reduce by 30 percent the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of its new U.S. and European vehicles by 2020, compared to the 2006 model year.
• Accelerated development of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which will be introduced between 2010 and 2012.
• Introduction of the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic model with the lowest CO₂ emissions of any family car sold in Europe at 98g/km
• Launch of two new hybrids in North America: Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans in North America at 41 miles per gallon in city driving.
• Introduction of EcoBoost^TM engine technology which uses direct injection and turbo charging to deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy, up to15 percent fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance compared to larger-displacement engines.

Additional Highlights

• Vehicle quality continues to improve, with Ford now on par with the best in the business.
• Improved the energy efficiency of its North American facilities by 4.5 percent in 2008, resulting in savings of approximately $16 million.
• Received the most Top Safety Picks from the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of any automaker and introduced a range of safety innovations to its vehicles globally in 2008. In the most recent Euro NCAP assessments, the Ford Kuga, Fiesta, European Focus, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy received best-in-class, five-star adult protection and four-star child protection ratings.
• Conducted human rights and working conditions training sessions in China and Mexico, in conjunction with the Automotive Industry Action Group and other automakers that reached nearly 1,000 Tier 1 suppliers and 7,700 Tier 2 suppliers and were cascaded to more than 66,000 individuals.
• Joined the United Nations Global Compact in April of 2008, reinforcing its commitment to human rights and other important responsibilities of global companies.

Sustainable Integrity
To ensure its Sustainability Report’s thoroughness and accuracy, Ford worked with a team from Ceres, a coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies on sustainable business practices. The Ceres stakeholder team is an independent group of individuals drawn primarily from the Ceres coalition and represents a range of constituencies that have expertise in environmental, social and governance issues.

“Ford’s reporting has benefited greatly from open and honest dialogue with shareholders, environmental organizations and other key stakeholders regarding a variety of sustainability issues, including global climate change and good governance practices,” said Carol Lee Rawn, senior manager of the Transportation Program at Ceres, who led the Ceres stakeholder team that advised Ford on its Sustainability Report.

Ford first issued a Corporate Citizenship Report in 1999 to address the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. As industry, business environment and social expectations continue to evolve, so does the report. In 2004, it was renamed the Sustainability Report to better reflect its emphasis on the business case for its approach to environmental and social issues. This year’s complete report can be found at www.ford.com/go/sustainability.

FUEL-SIPPING FORD FUSION DRIVES SALES RESULTS

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April sales mark the sixth consecutive month of market share growth

April Highlights:

• Ford Fusion sales rose 24%
• Ford F-150 realized a 17% increase last month
• Ford E-Series sales rose 3%
• Lincoln MKZ sales were up 30%
• Lincoln MKX sales increased 7%
• F-Series is the best-selling nameplate in Canada

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited saw market share increase for the sixth consecutive month in April led by sales of the Ford Fusion, the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in Canada, which increased 24.4 per cent over the same period last year.

"With our launch of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, sales have shown that we are building vehicles that consumers really value," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "Just this week, drivers trained in mileage-maximizing techniques drove the 2010 Fusion Hybrid more than 2,300 kilometres on a single tank of gas."

Also contributing to the growth in market share are sales of the Lincoln MKZ which saw an increase of 30 per cent compared to last April.

April also marked the 45th anniversary of the iconic Ford Mustang. The 2010 Mustang delivers even more power, new technologies; fast, fun, affordable driving and is in dealer showrooms now.

FORD GAINS RETAIL SHARE IN MARCH, DELIVERS FIRST FUSION HYBRIDS, LAUNCHES FORD ADVANTAGE PLAN

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• Ford retail share climbs in March capping two consecutive quarters of retail share gains
• First Fusion Hybrids are delivered to customers
• Ford Advantage Plan offers customers peace of mind in uncertain times
• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 125,107, down 41 percent versus year ago but were 30 percent higher than February
• Ford updates first quarter North American production

New, fuel-efficient products and quality on par with the best in the industry helped Ford increase retail market share in March to its highest level since December 2006, capping two consecutive quarters of retail share gains. Ford estimates its retail share performance from October 2008 through March 2009 was the strongest of any major manufacturer compared with the same period a year ago.

Ford’s newest products drove the company’s retail share performance: the new F-150 pickup, Escape small utility, Flex full-size crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. The sell-down of the previous-generation Fusion mid-size sedan also contributed to the company’s strong retail showing.

Growing awareness and consideration of Ford and its high-quality, fuel-efficient products are starting to take hold. Plus, through June 1, Ford is offering consumers additional reasons to “Drive one.”

“Ford has a great story to tell, and the Ford Advantage Plan will help our dealers tell that story,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “We’re trying to provide people peace of mind in these uncertain times. When you combine that with our leading quality, fuel economy, safety and strong residual values, there has never been a better time to come over to Ford.”

The Ford Advantage Plan is effective on vehicles delivered from March 31 through June 1. The Plan offers payment protection up to 12 months for up to $700 per month on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if a customer loses his or her job. Plus, 0 percent financing from Ford Motor Credit is available on select vehicles.

Customer deliveries of Ford’s newest products – the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan – began in March. Recent independent studies rate Fusion and Milan – the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America – as having the best predicted reliability among all mid-size sedans. Plus, the new Fusion Hybrid delivers 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highway, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway. The new four-cylinder Ford Fusion S achieves 34 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city, beating both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 125,107 in March, down 41 percent compared with March 2008. Retail sales were down 36 percent compared with a year ago and fleet sales were down 50 percent.

Ford sales increased 30 percent compared with February 2009 with retail sales up 34 percent and fleet sales up 22 percent.

U.S. Inventories
At the end of March, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury inventories totaled 408,000 units. Inventories were 27 percent lower than a year ago – in line with the sales decline during this period.

North American Production
The company produced 349,000 vehicles in the first quarter, a reduction of 26,000 vehicles from the previous forecast.

“Aligning production and inventory with demand is a key element of our strategy to strengthen our brand and improve customer value,” said Farley. “Our disciplined approach to the market in these challenging times helps us to minimize costly incentives that erode brand value while we’re delivering our strongest-ever product lineup.”

FORD CANADA INCREASES MARKET SHARE FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH

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Sales success fueled by award-winning Ford Fusion

March Highlights:

• Ford Fusion sales rose 25%
• Ford Explorer sales increased 4%
• Ford crossover sales rose 13%
• F-Series is the best-selling nameplate in Canada
• Ford Escape is the best-selling small SUV in Canada
• Ford has the best selling compact pickup with Ford Ranger

OAKVILLE, Ontario, April 1, 2009 – Market share increased for the fifth consecutive month at Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited led by sales of the Ford Fusion. Fusion, which recently achieved “Top Safety Pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), saw its sales increase 25.3 per cent compared to last March.

"Ford of Canada is really building strong momentum in a tough market. We have seven new products coming in the next six months, including the 2010 Ford Fusion which is already arriving in dealerships," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "In fact, the very first 2010 Ford Fusion sold in Canada was recently delivered to a customer at Dixie Ford Sales of Mississauga, Ontario."

And with fuel economy for the Fusion Hybrid at 4.6 L/ 100 km in the city and 5.4 L/ 100 km on the highway, Ford is now the producer of the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, gas or hybrid, on the planet.

"Industry-wide, auto sales in Canada have now dropped for five consecutive months. That's why we're urging the federal government to offer a consumer stimulus program that will help to stem this rapid decline," said Mondragon. "For example, offering consumers $3,500 to turn in a 10 year or older vehicle, helps Canadians who need it most, benefits the environment as older, higher polluting vehicles are taken off the roads, and spurs sales in an industry that is critical to the Canadian economy."

Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
March 2009 Vehicle Sales

	2009	2008	% Change
Total Vehicles
March	17,055	20,083	-15.1
January - March	39,857	46,870	-15.0
Total Cars
March	3,980	4,303	-7.5
January - March	8,425	10,406	-19.0
Total Trucks
March	13,075	15,780	-17.1
January - March	31,432	36,464	-13.8

FORD BUILDS ON ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE DRIVE QUALITY, ENABLE MORE FEATURES

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Ford Motor Company is taking full advantage of the fuel economy, performance and reliability benefits associated with Electric Power Steering (EPS) on a variety of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products, but the company isn’t stopping there.

Customers already behind the wheel of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, one of Ford’s first products to sport EPS, also are enjoying other clever – yet subtle – steering characteristics that enhance drive quality.

One such EPS-enabled feature, pull-drift compensation, is a software-based technology that helps drivers offset vehicle pulling or drifting that can occur in steady crosswinds or on uneven roads.

“Pull and drift are major customer annoyances that have been difficult to completely eliminate because of multiple factors that contribute to this phenomenon,” said Ali Jammoul, Ford’s chief engineer for Chassis Engineering and Steering Systems. “Ford’s innovative pull-drift technology compensates to provide driving comfort straight down the road, even in steady crosswinds and on banked and uneven roads.”

Customer complaints about a “constant pull or drift to one side” or “steering that requires extra uneven effort” historically have been a source of customer dissatisfaction in steering, ride and handling in quality studies. Ford’s EPS with drift-pull compensation is projected to improve customer satisfaction in these areas by up to 50 percent.

The 2008 Escape, one of the first vehicles to showcase EPS with pull-drift technology in North America, substantiated this projected improvement, cutting the number of customer complaints associated with steering in half.

How It Works
EPS is a sophisticated system that uses sensors to constantly measure the wheel torque applied by the driver to maintain the vehicle’s path; continually resetting to adapt to changing road conditions or the vehicle turning a corner.

Ford’s pull-drift software technology gives the EPS system the added ability to compensate for slight steering torque changes caused by environmental factors such as road crowning or steady crosswinds.

“If you’re on the expressway and the road is crowned to the left or right for better water drainage, for example, you may need to make a slight steering compensation for that crowning,” said Brian Kosztowny, a Ford product development engineer in Vehicle Dynamics. “With pull-drift compensation, the EPS system gradually will dial in torque for easier steering in these conditions without the driver feeling it in his or her fingers or needing to make an extra effort. The electric motor does more, so you don’t have to.”

Ford’s application of this technology only corrects for road and environmental conditions within reason, adding slight torque up to a proprietary set limit so inherent steering issues are not masked. In addition, Ford has fine-tuned the software-based technology so it can be adapted to fit driving characteristics of individual products, whether it’s a luxury sedan or a sporty compact SUV.

EPS Delivers More
Ford’s early adoption of the pull-drift software technology demonstrates how EPS combined with invisible software algorithms can deliver tangible results in terms of improving drive quality and the ownership experience for customers.

Ford continues to dig deep, taking full advantage of the big-ticket – as well as the more understated – benefits of EPS, offering them on entry-level as well as high-end products.

Ford’s Active Park Assist – which debuts on several 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles – is, in fact, enabled by EPS. This sophisticated technology uses EPS and an ultrasonic-based sensing system to position a vehicle for parallel parking, calculating the optimal vehicle angle and carefully steering the vehicle into a parking spot.

EPS also can be programmed to communicate with a vehicle’s camera, opening the door for Ford to introduce lane-assist and accident avoidance systems such as lane departure warning systems.

“EPS gives us more warning options for these advanced systems,” adds Darrel Recker, Ford’s EPS supervisor. “With EPS, we can consider more tactile versus visual warning mechanisms, such as a vibration in the steering wheel, and we don’t have to add a lot of components or additional hardware to make it happen.”

EPS has the potential to add steering features for comfort and personalization. Ford currently is examining how to calibrate the system so that customers can select their desired steering effort. Drivers that prefer a sportier ride, for instance, would choose a higher steering effort than someone who prefers a more luxury-car feel.

Steering the Way
EPS continues to gain momentum in North America, with Ford acting as a major player in adapting this efficient technology across nearly 90 percent of its lineup by 2012. For 2010, the all-new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKT include EPS.

Ford’s aggressive migration of EPS represents up to a 5-percent gain in fuel economy for each product application and CO2 emissions savings of approximately 3.5 percent because the system operates on demand. EPS also equates to less maintenance for customers since it is completely free of the complicated mix of hydraulic pumps, hoses, power steering fluids and drive belts that can require regular service and repair.

“As we use advanced technology such as electric power steering to improve fuel efficiency across our vehicle lineup, we have the opportunity to introduce new innovations such as pull-drift compensation and Active Park Assist,” said Ford’s Jammoul. “We are applying these technologies not for the sake of technology, but because they meet the needs and wants of our customers.”

2010 FUSION/FUSION HYBRID PRICE LIST

MODEL	SERIES CODE	BASE VEHICLE PRICE	SUGGESTED RETAIL
S	P0G	I-4 S -- Front Wheel Drive	$ 19,270
SE	P0H	I-4 SE -- Front Wheel Drive	20,545
SEL	P0J	I-4 SEL -- Front Wheel Drive	23,975
	P0C	V-6 SEL -- All Wheel Drive	27,435
SPORT	P0K	V-6 SPORT -- Front Wheel Drive	25,825
	P0D	V-6 SPORT -- All Wheel Drive	27,675
HYBRID	P0L	Hybrid	27,270
ALL MODELS		Destination and Delivery	725

TRIM SERIES	ORDER CODE	RAPID SPEC EQUIPMENT PACKAGES	SUGGESTED RETAIL
S	100A	Rapid Spec 100A	N/C
SE	200A	Rapid Spec 200A	N/C
	201A	Rapid Spec 201A	$ 545
	202A	Rapid Spec 202A	1,340
SEL	300A	Rapid Spec 300A	N/C
	301A	Rapid Spec 301A	1,525
	302A	Rapid Spec 302A	2,740
SPORT	400A	Rapid Spec 400A	N/C
	401A	Rapid Spec 401A	1,525
	402A	Rapid Spec 402A	4,030
HYBRID	500A	Rapid Spec 500A	N/C
	501A	Rapid Spec 501A	2,250
	502A	Rapid Spec 502A	5,215

	OPTION CODE	POWERTRAINS	SUGGESTED RETAIL
ENGINE	99A	I-4 2.5L Engine (I-4 S, SE, SEL)	Std
	99G	V-6 3.0L Duratec Engine - Option SE only	$2,490
		V-6 3.0L Duratec Engine - Option SEL only	1,610
TRANSMISSION	446	6 Speed Manual Transmission - Std (I-4 S, SE)	Std
	44W	6 Speed Automatic Transmission - Option (S, SE)	875
		6 Speed Automatic Transmission - Std (I-4 SEL)	Std
	44B	6 Speed Automatic Transmission - Std (V6 SE, SEL, SPORT)	Std
	44H	Powersplit e-CVT Automatic Transmission - Std (Hybrid)	Std
AREA	422	California Emissions (PZEV I-4)	N/C

MODEL	OPTION CODE	TIRES	SUGGESTED RETAIL
S	T7F	P205/60VR16 BSW – Std (S)	Std
SE	T7D	P225/50R17 BSW – Std (SE)	Std
SEL	T7D	P225/50VR17 BSW – Std (SEL)	Std
SPORT	T7T	P225/45R18 BSW – Std (SPORT)	Std
Hybrid	T7C	P225/50R17 BSW – Std (Hybrid)	Std
S	645	16-Inch Aluminum Wheel - Std (S)	Std
SE	64B	17-Inch Design Wheel w/Covers - Std (SE)	Std
SEL	64K	17-Inch Aluminum Wheel - Std (SEL)	Std
SPORT	64T	18-Inch Premium Aluminum Wheel - Std (SPORT)	Std
Hybrid	64Y	17-Inch Aluminum Wheel - Std (Hybrid)	Std
SEL	64Q	18-Inch Aluminum Wheel - Option (SEL)	$ 295

MODEL	OPTION CODE	SEATS	SUGGESTED RETAIL
	D	Cloth Seating - Std (S,SE)	Std
	T	Eco-Friendly Cloth Seating - Std (Hybrid)	Std
	F	Leather/Heated Seats - Std (SEL)	Std
	F	Leather/Heated Seats - Option RS501A	$1,190
	V	Leather Trimmed Seating - Std (SPORT)	Std

MODEL	OPTION CODE	OTHER OPTIONS	SUGGESTED RETAIL
AVAILABLE ON ALL MODELS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED	58N	Navigation - Option RS302A, 402A, 501A Navigation - Incl in RS502A	$ 1,775 N/C
	43P	Rear Park Assist - Std (Hybrid)	Std
	PUG	TriCoat Paint - Option SE, SEL, RS501A, 502A	495
	41H	Engine Block Heater - (N/C - AK,MN,ND,SD,MT,WI,WY)	N/C
		AUDIO
	58B	AM/FM In-Dash CDX6 w/ 6 Speakers -- Std (Hybrid)	Std
	62S	Satellite Radio Std (SE, SEL)	Std

MODEL	OPTION CODE	FLEET OPTIONS	SUGGESTED RETAIL
AVAILABLE ON ALL MODELS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED	54P	Heated Mirrors (Fleet with valid FIN)	$ 35
	942	Daytime Running Lamps (Fleet with valid FIN)	45
	41H	Engine Block Heater (Fleet with valid FIN)	35

MODEL	OPTION CODE	FACTORY INVOICED ACCESSORIES	SUGGESTED RETAIL
AVAILABLE ON ALL MODELS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED	55S	Power Code™ Remote Start System	$ 345
	55M	All-Weather Floor Mats – Front & Rear	75

2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID QUALIFIES BUYERS FOR HIGHEST AVAILABLE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT – $3,400

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Customers eager to purchase America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, can take advantage of a $3,400 tax credit from the federal government.

Buyers of a new 2010 Fusion Hybrid or Mercury Milan Hybrid this year will qualify for the $3,400 tax credit, the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUVs in America, continue to qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, the highest available tax credit of all hybrids on the road today.

Fusion Hybrid’s class-leading 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, helped Fusion garner the significant credit amount, which is based on a vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency. Stacked together, Fusion’s fuel savings and tax incentive can help significantly offset the premium to the customer for hybrid-electric technology over a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.

“Hybrids are an important part of our strategy to deliver the best or among the best fuel economy with all of our new products, and the Fusion and Milan Hybrids have set the pace for the company, as well as our competitors,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re glad to see our government help promote these advanced, clean fuel-efficient vehicles to the consumer.”

Technological innovation, like the development of Ford’s hybrid systems, is a core value as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. A new study this week by The Patent Board™ – the world’s leading patent analyst – found that Ford outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. The 2010 Fusion, Milan and their respective hybrid models set new standards for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents.

Hybrid Hot Sheet
To deliver 700-plus miles on a single tank of gas, Fusion Hybrid travels up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) allows the hybrid to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa, delivering a near imperceptible hybrid driving experience to the customer.

Other advanced hybrid systems that contribute to Fusion’s fuel-economy leadership include:
• A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system.
• An enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
• A regenerative brake system that recovers and stores nearly 94 percent of energy normally lost through friction in braking.

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid also debuts Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.

Ford’s Growing Hybrid Fleet
The 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids join the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, doubling the company’s hybrid product offerings and volume.

The 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrid FWD models qualify for a $3,000 tax credit; 4WD models $1,950. Owners of previous model-year Escape and Mariner hybrid models may also qualify for varying credit amounts from $1,950 to $3,000. The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle.

The tax credit amounts available for 2009 and 2010 model year hybrid vehicles are as follows:

Tax Credit Amount

	1/1 - 3/31/09	4/1 - 9/30/09	10/1/09 – 3/31/10	4/1/10 and later
2010 Fusion Hybrid	$3,400	$1,700	$850	$0
2010 Milan Hybrid	$3,400	$1,700	$850	$0
2009 Escape Hybrid FWD	$3,000	$1,500	$750	$0
2009 Escape Hybrid 4WD	$1,950	$975	$487.50	$0
2009 Mariner Hybrid FWD	$3,000	$1,500	$750	$0
2009 Mariner Hybrid 4WD	$1,950	$975	$487.50	$0

Tax Credit Update
Customers who purchase a Ford or Mercury brand hybrid by March 31, 2009 will remain eligible for the full tax credit amounts. Beginning April 1, 2009 customers who purchase a hybrid will only be able to claim a partial tax credit as described in the table above.

Since Ford Motor Company reached the 60,000 vehicle threshold in the 4th quarter of 2008, the tax credit amounts are reduced by 50 percent beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and by an additional 25 percent beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009. No tax credit amount is available for hybrids after March 31, 2010.

AN ALL-NEW 2010 FORD FUSION IS “WE RACE. YOU WIN.” GRAND PRIZE

Image via WikipediaOne lucky fan will win a 2010 Ford Fusion in Ford Racing’s “We Race. You Win.” national sweepstakes, announced here today as part of the Ford NASCAR Media Day.

Each time a Ford Racing driver wins a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race in 2009, one lucky fan and a guest will win an all-expenses paid trip to Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. During the race weekend, one of those fans then will be selected as the grand prizewinner of a 2010 Ford Fusion.

Race fans can register by logging on to www.weraceyouwin.com anytime from Jan. 22 to Nov. 15, 2009. Obviously, the sooner the fans register, the more opportunities they have to win.

“With our new NASCAR Fusion debuting on track this season, we wanted to do something special for race fans that will reward them every time one of our drivers wins,” said Greg Scott, Ford Fusion marketing manager. “The inspiration for Ford's NASCAR race car, the 2010 Fusion, is destined to be a hit in the marketplace, not just because of its bold design and the way it drives, but also because of its award-winning reliability and safety features.

“And we’re pleased that the 2010 Fusion Hybrid is a strong part of our lineup this year after making its debut as the first hybrid car in NASCAR history to lead the field to the green flag at Homestead last November,” added Scott. “The Fusion Hybrid is already the most fuel efficient mid-size sedan in America, with 41 mpg in the city and over 700 miles on one tank of gas.”

Ford drivers won 11 Sprint Cup races in 2008, including a series-best nine victories from Carl Edwards, who test drove both the 2010 Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Fusion Sport at Homestead last November.

“I’m looking forward to giving our race fans as many chances to win a new Fusion as I possibly can,” said Edwards, who is the driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion. “After my test drive, I personally know how good a car the new Fusion is and I can’t wait for it to get to the dealers so everybody can drive one. I hope the Ford drivers win a lot more than 11 races this year so we can help more fans win that trip to Ford Championship Weekend.”

As a bonus to kick off the new national promotion, after the first Ford victory of 2009 – as soon as the season-opening Daytona 500 - one lucky fan will have the winning driver come to his/her hometown for a 2010 Fusion test drive and dinner.

All of the Homestead winners will receive a trip for two to Ford Championship Weekend, including air, hotel, rental car, tickets to all three races, and a VIP visit with Ford drivers at the race track.

Fans who register will also have a chance to be eligible for one of 10 random monthly drawings of Ford Racing themed prizes, like autographed helmets, apparel packs and more.

ERNIE ELLIOTT MOTORS TO POWER KLEENEX RACING FORD FUSION

Image via WikipediaBaker Curb racing announced today that they have reached an agreement with legendary engine builder Ernie Elliott to provide the engines for the No. 27 Kleenex Racing Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2009.

With his extensive background and reputation for building race-winning engines, Elliott is widely recognized as one of the best engine builders in NASCAR. Powered by Ernie and driven by his brother Bill, the Elliott’s still hold the one-lap speed record of 212.809 mph at Talladega Superspeedway on May 1, 1987. In ‘85 the Elliott’s teamed to win the inaugural Winston Million bonus along with 11 race victories and 11 poles and in ‘87 they achieved their dream of a Cup Championship.

Elliott powered cars have 38 victories on NASCAR’s elite Cup Series along with 51 poles and 147 top five finishes. Additionally, Elliott engines have piloted drivers to two wins and one pole in the Nationwide Series and three championships and 37 wins in the ARCA/Re-Max Series.

“Ernie Elliott’s resume speaks for itself and working with him will only add to the future success of this race program,” said Crew Chief Todd Gordon. “The new engine program is one of several changes we have made on the No. 27 Kleenex Racing Ford Fusion for the 2009 season and we are highly optimistic the end results will see Jason Keller in victory lane,” Gordon continued.

The new engine program is one of many exciting things in store for the 2009 season at Baker Curb Racing.The team will be celebrating Kimberly-Clark’s 15th season in NASCAR, the longest standing, continuous primary sponsorship in the Nationwide Series. Piloting the car will be Nationwide Series veteran Keller who holds the all-time record with more than 450 starts in the Nationwide Series and is first on the series career winnings list with more than $12 million.

FORD FUSION TOPS TOYOTA CAMRY, HONDA ACCORD WITH BEST-IN-CLASS 34 MPG 4-CYLINDER MODEL

• The Ford Fusion is now America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models
• The four-cylinder Ford Fusion S is now certified at 34 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city, topping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
• This entry-level 2010 Ford Fusion S is powered by a new 2.5-liter Duratec mated to a fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission
• The Fusion I-4 joins the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid, already at the top of the mpg tables

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2009 – The Ford Fusion is now America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models.

Ford announced today that new four-cylinder Ford Fusion S has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 34 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city – beating both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord models. The news follows certification of the Ford Fusion Hybrid at 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“Take your pick: Whether you want a gas-powered or hybrid mid-sized sedan, the new Fusion offers the best fuel economy in America,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “We promised to offer best-in-class or among the very best fuel economy with every new vehicle we introduce, and we are making good on that pledge with hybrids, new high-tech gasoline engines, new six-speed transmissions and other fuel efficient technologies.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion fuel economy certification was conducted at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich. The Ford Fusion S and the base-level Mercury Milan, both powered by a new 2.5-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine mated to a fuel efficient six-speed automatic transmission, will carry an EPA label of 34 mpg for highway driving and 23 mpg in the city when they go on sale this spring.

The latest news on Fusion joins other Ford fuel economy leaders, including:

• The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
• The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
• The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
• The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

“We’ve done it in the heart of the truck segment with the new 2010 Ford F-150, and now we’ve done it in the heart of the car segment with Fusion,” Samardzich said. “We understand how important fuel economy is to customers, and Ford is committed to delivering leadership. The great news is that our significant investment in fuel efficiency leadership is going to continue to pay off with every new vehicle launch.”

Fuel Economy Leadership Priced Right
Ford has announced pricing for the new 2010 Fusion. The fuel-economy leading Fusion S with the six-speed automatic transmission features a base price of $20,870, plus destination and delivery charges.

Fusion also offers more engine choice than Camry and Accord, with two V-6 engine options – the 240-horsepower 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and the 263-horsepower 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 engine. The 3.0-liter V-6 models start at $23,760.

The base price of the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is $27,270.

The new Fusion builds on the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC®, SIRIUS TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony®-branded audio.

F-SERIES DRIVES FORD TO HIGHER MARKET SHARE FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH

Image via Wikipedia

• Ford, Lincoln and Mercury market share climbs again in December, marking third consecutive month of higher share
• Market share increases driven by F-Series truck; new F-150 piles up more sales and accolades
• Ford Flex caps 2008 with best sales month so far
• Ford Focus posts best sales year since 2004
• Ford Fusion ushers in next generation with near record sales in 2008
• Lincoln outperforms its luxury competitors, grows market share as 2008 concludes

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 5, 2009 – New vehicles, including the all-new F-150 truck, and fuel-efficient powertrains are winning over customers for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, which realized market share increases for a third consecutive month in December. Ford estimates its market share was 14.6 percent in December, up 0.7 of a point versus a year ago. This marks the first time since 1997 Ford has achieved a market share increase three months in a row.

“This is a strong ending to end a very challenging year,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president, Marketing and Communications. “In addition to finishing the year with increased market share, we received several accolades from third parties concerning our world-class quality and safety, and we turned some heads on the fuel economy front with our 41 mpg Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America.”

The F-Series truck played a key role in Ford’s fourth quarter market share gains. The all-new F-150 accounted for 8,600 of total F-Series sales in December, an increase of 84 percent compared with November 2008. For the year, F-Series sales totaled 515,513.

“Our thanks go out to our customers, our dealers and, of course, the Ford employees and supplier partners who design, engineer and manufacture quality, fuel-efficient trucks delivering unmatched capability,” Farley said. “The all-new F-150 affirms what Ford has known for years – that listening to customers provides the best rewards.”

The all-new F-150 recently was named 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™, a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year and the Texas Auto Writers Association’s “Truck of Texas.”

Ford Flex, the company’s newest crossover utility, finished 2008 with its best sales month of the year, netting 2,685 sales. Flex has the highest conquest rate of any Ford vehicle and is a finalist for the North American Car of the Year.

In other car news, Ford Focus posted full-year sales of 195,823, the small car’s highest sales year since 2004 and up 13 percent versus full-year 2007. Focus parlayed SYNC technology and 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which is 5 mpg better than Toyota’s Corolla and 2 mpg better than the smaller Honda Fit, to achieve a market share increase in the competitive small car segment – its first share increase since Focus was introduced during the 2000 model year.

Meanwhile, Ford Fusion posted near-record sales of 147,569 units in 2008. Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ are redesigned for the 2010 model year and will arrive in dealer showrooms this spring. The first-ever Fusion Hybrid will be America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size car with 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on highway – besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on highway.

In premium news, Lincoln outpaced the competition as 2008 drew to a close.
Helped by the all-new Lincoln MKS sedan, Lincoln sales totaled 9,053 in December, down 10 percent compared with a year ago. In the fourth quarter, however, Lincoln increased its share in the luxury market as its 16-percent sales decline was less than half of the average decline of all other luxury brands.

U.S. Sales
In December, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 134,114, down 32 percent compared with a year ago. Retail sales to individual customers were down 27 percent, and fleet sales were down 42 percent (including a 57 percent decline in daily rental sales), consistent with Ford’s plans.

For the full year, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 1.9 million, down 20 percent versus a year ago. Retail sales were down 22 percent, and fleet sales were down 17 percent (including a 22 percent decline in daily rental sales), in line with Ford’s plans.

U.S. Market Share
In the Fourth Quarter, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s market share is estimated at 15.0 percent, up 0.9 points versus a year ago. This is the first time since 2001 that the company’s Fourth Quarter market share was higher than a year ago.

For the full year of 2008, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s market share is estimated at 14.2 percent, down 0.4 points versus a year ago. This marks the company’s smallest decline in market share this decade.

41 mpg! All-new FORD Fusion hybrid IS NOW America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size car

Image via WikipediaThe all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:

• Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.
• New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
• Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
• Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
• Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving
The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio.

In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy standouts on the road today. They include:

• The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
• The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
• The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
• The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.