2010 Ford Taurus Wins First-Ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award- January 7, 2010 (news.moneycentral.msn.com)
The 2010 Ford Taurus is the winner of the first-ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award; the award was presented today at the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show®) in Las Vegas
The Taurus offers more user-friendly technology than other cars twice its price, including 10 class-exclusive technologies not available from any other manufacturer
In addition to receiving the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award, the Taurus is serving as the official vehicle of CES, and the 2010 Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine's first-ever "Car of the Year"
America's most innovative sedan, the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus, is the winner of the first-ever Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award. The announcement was made today at the 2010 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.
"We chose the 2010 Ford Taurus to receive the first annual Edmunds.com Breakthrough Technology Award because the vehicle offers an extensive and impressive array of electronic amenities that also represent an excellent value for consumers," said Doug Newcomb, senior technology editor, Edmunds.com.
The Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award is presented to vehicles that set the standard for intuitive, practical and affordable technology that enhances safety and convenience
for drivers and passengers. Any new vehicle available for sale within the U.S. within the last year is eligible to receive the award.
With its expressive styling, the Taurus offers more user-friendly technology than other cars twice its price, including 10 class-exclusive technologies not available from any other manufacturer.
"In addition to the innovative Ford SYNC(®) system that provides voice-activated Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and free features such as 911 Assist((TM)) and turn-by-turn navigation, the Taurus also has heated and cooled Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion((TM)), Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(®)) with Cross Traffic Alert, SIRIUS Travel Link((TM)) and SecuriCode((TM)) Keyless Entry Keypad," said Newcomb.
Other class-exclusive features include:
- Easy Fuel(®) Capless Fuel Filler - a self-seal system without a traditional fuel cap. No lost, dangling or spinning caps. It seals automatically every time.
- Sony Audio(®) System - a surround-sound system that delivers Dolby(® )Digital
5.1 sound through 12 high-quality Sony speakers.
- Available EcoBoost((TM)) V-6 - a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers the output of a V-8, 365 horsepower, without compromising its V-6 fuel economy.
- MyKey((TM) )- a programmable feature that allows parents to limit top speed and audio volume and set speed alert chimes to encourage safer driving.
In addition to receiving the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award, the Taurus is serving as the official vehicle of CES, and the 2010 Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine's first-ever "Car of the Year." Since going on sale in August 2009, Ford's all-new Taurus has received more than a dozen awards from an array of leading consumer and automotive publications.
Ford Sweeps N.A. Car and Truck of the Year Awards- January 11th, 2010 (ford.com)
- Ford swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), winning both prestigious awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively
- It is the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both awards
- The Ford Fusion Hybrid is America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with an EPA-estimated 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 Transit Connect is an industry-exclusive vehicle developed of full-size vans, generous and accessible cargo space, and the agility and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas
Fusion Hybrid a winner out of the gate-
The North American Car of the Year award is the latest in an impressive string of awards and accolades for the Fusion Hybrid. Most recently, the vehicle was honored as CAR and DRIVER Magazine's "10Best" Cars for 2010, one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine's 2010 All-Stars, and the entire Fusion lineup captured the acclaimed MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award.
The all-new Fusion Hybrid arrived in dealers in March, complete with a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy.
The Fusion Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more connected to the hybrid driving experience thanks to Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster execution that helps coach them on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.
Other class-exclusive technologies and features that set the Fusion Hybrid apart from the competition include Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Ford SYNC, SIRIUS Travel Link and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.
Despite the slump in overall industry sales, 2009 was recovered-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.
Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:
- MOTOR TREND Car of the Year Award
- One of CAR and DRIVER Magazine's "10Best" Cars for 2010
- One of AUTOMOBILE Magazine's 2010 All-Stars
- 2009 "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
- 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
- 2009 and 2010 Editors Choice for Fuel Sipper by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
- Best Hybrid for the Money in the Midsize Car segment by cars.com
- One of 2009 Top 10 Green Cars by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
- The Detroit News Reader's Choice Award for "Best Value"
- 2010 Consumers Digest Best Buy
- Detroit Free Press 2010 Car of the Year
- 2010 Most Environmentally Progressive Car of the Year by Earth, Wind & Power
- 10 Best Engine by Ward's Auto World
On Transit Connect, Ford Work Solutions delivers three innovative features:
- A wireless in-dash computer that provides full high-speed Internet access, Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calling and navigation. The system also allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks right on the job site.
- Tool Link, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system that enables customers to maintain detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment.
- Crew Chief, a fleet tracking, telematics and diagnostics system that provides dynamic location and performance data fleet owners need to more efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites, monitor driver performance for safety and economy, and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.
Awards and accolades for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect include:
- 2010 Editors Choice for Vans by CAR and DRIVER Magazine
- Detroit Free Press 2010 Truck of the Year
- The Detroit News 2010 Truck of the Year
- 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for the Best Workhouse Vehicle
- A Great Car for the Small Business Delivery/Utility Worker by Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
Ford Again Takes Kbb.com's Best Redesigned Vehicle Award-
Irvine, Calif --For the fourth time in the seven years that editors at Kelley Blue Book selected their Best Redesigned Vehicle honor, a Ford vehicle came out as the award winner.
This year, Kbb.com officials announced the 2010 Ford Taurus was the choice as Best Redesigned Vehicle. The also picked a Ford unit for the 2009 honor, going with the F-150.
Editors shared several reasons why they went with the Taurus. Some of vehicle attributes the appealed to them most included its sculpted sheet metal, modern interior and long list of available technologies. They indicated the Taurus' features stand in stark contrast not just to its predecessor, but its competitors, too.
"The 2010 Ford Taurus delivers an ideal balance of engaging performance and passenger comfort, as well as a feeling of quality that positively pervades the vehicle, " explained Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kbb.com.
Kbb.com opted to choose the Ford Taurus over a mix of offerings from domestic and foreign nameplates. Editors mentioned the other award finalists in alphabetical order.
On the finalist list were the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, Chevy Equinox, Ford Fusion, Lexus RX, Mazda MAZDA3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Prius.
Editors reiterated that their Best Redesigned Vehicle accolade honors the vehicle that best demonstrates improvement and superiority relative to its predecessor and competitors. In judging, they said they considered exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy and over-all refinement.
The 2010 Ford Taurus quickly caught the attention of Kbb.com's panel because of its cutting-edge technology. Some features the editors liked best included the 'Taurus' Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, MyKey parental programmability, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link.
"With its superior styling and overall performance, the 2010 Ford Taurus became a contender for this year's award during the very first drive, after which one of our editors wrote 'We haven't seen such a bold reversal of character since Ben Kingsley traded in his Ghandi robe to play a murderous gangster in Sexy Beast, ' " Nerad recalled.
"The Taurus isn't just the new best bet in the segment; it's one of the most impressive vehicles on the road," he continued.
The honor for the Taurus continues the award-winning trend for the nameplate for this particular honor. Ford vehicles also were the first two Best Redesigned Vehicle honorees when Kbb.com began handing out the award in 2004.
The inaugural winner was the 2004 Ford F-150, while the Mustang took the honor the next year.
The other vehicles that have won this honor include the Honda Civic in 2006, the Chevrolet Silverado in 2007, and the Chevrolet Malibu in 2008.
"Each model year, manufacturers continually raise the bar in providing consumers with the top-notch vehicle technologies, performance and design," Nerad noted.
"With the Best Redesigned Vehicle award, we honor those models that exceed all expectations, " he concluded.
