Redesigned Ford Fusion Takes Home 2013 Green Car of the Year Award

BEVERLY, MASS. (12/12/2012)(readMedia)-- In the automotive industry, the word "green" has evolved to denote more than just ambitious hybrid models, extending to advances like more fuel-efficient gas engines, lighter-weight frames and less wasteful manufacturing processes. The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion recently earned Green Car Journal's 2013 Green Car of the Year award because it provides significant value in all of those areas.

With a range of five fuel-efficient powerplants, the new Ford Fusion lets buyers choose from a standard 2.5-liter gas-powered engine, two EcoBoost units, a hybrid drivetrain and a plug-in hybrid system that is expected to surpass 100 MPGe when it goes on sale early next year. The midsize sedan has also been redesigned with sustainability in mind, from the cloth seat surfaces made from post-industrial and post-consumer materials to the fender splash shields and other underbody parts containing recycled plastic.

"For a vehicle to truly be green, it obviously has to be efficient and sustainable, but it also needs to be able to sell enough models to make a difference on the environment," said Steve Leary, dealer principal of Thomas Ford, a Beverly, MA Ford dealership. "What's so striking about the Fusion is not just its diversity of fuel-sipping drivetrains, but the fact that it can also attract buyers with its bold styling and engaging ride. The car appeals to the heart just as much as it does to the head."

The latest generation of the Ford Fusion lineup features the most fuel-efficient sedan in America, with the 2013 Fusion Hybrid returning 47 mpg in city, highway and combined ratings. According to Cars.com, the new Fusion Hybrid took an average of just six days to sell on dealer lots in November, putting it in a tie for the fastest-selling vehicle on the market.

Together with the new 2013 C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid drove Ford to its best-ever month of hybrid sales in November, with more than 6,000 gas-electric models sold. That tally helped the automaker grab an 11 percent share of the electrified vehicle market, which represents a more than fivefold increase this year alone.

As a direct competitor to the Toyota Prius, the Ford C-MAX boasts an impressive mix of fuel efficiency, in-car technology and versatility. Like the Fusion Hybrid, the C-MAX Hybrid nets 47 mpg across the board, while the C-MAX Energi is rated at 100 MPGe. Inside, C-MAX buyers can opt for the intuitive SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system to enable hands-free phone calls, voice-activated music searches and available turn-by-turn directions. Meanwhile, the generous interior space can accommodate five passengers or up to 52.6 cubic feet of cargo room in the C-MAX Hybrid and 42.8 cubic feet in the C-MAX Energi.

"It doesn't matter if buyers are looking at the Fusion Hybrid, C-MAX Hybrid or C-MAX Energi, they walk away impressed by the fact that each model offers so much more than fuel efficiency," noted Leary. "The C-MAX provides all the space that growing families need for road trips or rides to soccer practice, while the Fusion Hybrid has all the available amenities you could want in the midsize segment."

About Thomas Ford:

Thomas Ford, located in Beverly, has been a fixture in the North Shore of Massachusetts for more than 40 years. They base their success on their dedicated sales and Ford service departments' commitment to customer satisfaction. It's never been a better time to be a Ford owner, and Thomas Ford encourages you to stop by their dealership to discover why. For more information, call them at 978-922-0059, visit their website at www.thomasford.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThomasFordAuto or stop by their dealership at 211 Rantoul Street in Beverly, Massachusetts.