New Vehicles Lead Ford to Record Hybrid Sales in First Quarter

Propelled by four new gas-electric models, Ford saw record hybrid sales in the first quarter this year, but perhaps more importantly, the automaker boosted its share of the electrified-vehicle market by 4 percent year-over-year during the same time. The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid, along with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids, helped drive more than 21,000 hybrid sales for the company in the first three months of 2013, resulting in a 324 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Ford claims that three out of every four of its buyers in key hybrid markets are converting from competitors, with Toyota coming in as the top conquest brand for the Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX hybrids. Meanwhile, initial sales data suggests that conquest rates are holding steadily above 60 percent for the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi. Edmunds.com also reports that the Fusion Hybrid has taken the lead over the Toyota Camry Hybrid in purchase consideration among consumers.

"Ford may have taken longer than Toyota to enter the hybrid market, but during that time it developed an approach that ensured style, performance and versatility would not be sacrificed in the name of fuel efficiency," said John Melkonian, general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Ford dealer serving Boston. "Now Ford customers can get their fuel savings in a boldly styled midsize sedan with one of the Fusion hybrids, or they can opt for plenty of flexible seating and cargo space with one of the C-MAX hybrids."

Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an advanced electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, the Ford Fusion Hybrid produces a lively system output of 188 horsepower, yet it returns up to 47 mpg during city, highway and combined driving. Ford's C-MAX Hybrid mirrors those EPA ratings while offering up to 52.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first-row seats. With their charging capabilities, the Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi can each net up to 108 MPGe in the city. 

Even with its hybrid models gaining momentum, Ford continues to focus on advancing the fuel economy of its gas-only vehicles. Building on the success of its EcoBoost engine lineup, the automaker will be introducing a new 1.5-liter unit in the Fusion later this year. Like Ford's current 1.6-liter EcoBoost powerplant, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost will use a combination of turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing, but it is expected to be even more fuel efficient while providing similar performance.

"Ford has taken a multidimensional approach to improving fuel economy in recent years, whether it is through hybrid drivetrains, lighter frames or just by getting more out of traditional gas engines," added Melkonian. "Regardless of customers' drivetrain preferences, they'll find technology that is just as advanced on the inside of their car, like the intuitive SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system."

U.S. News Lauds Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid for Their Family Friendliness

On the outside, the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion is one of the most aggressively styled midsize sedans on the market, but U.S. News & World Report has found the vehicle to also be the most family-friendly option on the inside. In its 2013 Best Cars for Families awards, the publication named the Fusion its top choice in the Midsize Cars segment, while the Fusion Hybrid took top honors in the Hybrid Cars category.

Recognizing the vehicles in each segment that offer the best combination of space, quality and family-friendly features, the U.S. News 2013 Best Cars for Families awards were determined by composite scores that reflect how models rated in each of those three categories. The Fusion and Fusion Hybrid were honored in part for their spacious rear passenger space for kids, while the hybrid model was praised further for the extra money it can save parents, thanks to its ratings of 47 mpg in the city, on the highway and in combined driving.

"A family car needs to be safe, spacious and cost-effective, and the new Fusion models certainly deliver on those things, but they are also stylish and fun to drive," said John Melkonian, general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. "Whether it's one of the Fusion's two EcoBoost engines, which are responsive yet fuel efficient, or its bold new hexagonal grille, the car is designed to make parents feel like they would have made the same purchase even if they didn't have kids."

While style and performance are added bonuses, safety is still top of mind for parents, and the 2013 Ford Fusion has received a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in the New Car Assessment Program from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Fusion's top crash-test scores were achieved with the help of its new Personal Safety System, which uses advanced safety-belt technologies and other sensors to customize the deployment of front airbags during frontal impacts.

With its effective safety features and sleek design providing a boost, the new Fusion continues to prove popular in the showroom, as the sedan saw its best-ever February sales last month. Totaling 27,875 units, U.S. sales of the Fusion rose by 28 percent over its previous record set in February 2012.

"The Fusion appeals to a wide variety of buyers because their options range from a 240-horsepower engine to a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the Fusion Energi that returns 108 MPGe in the city," added Melkonian. "Not to mention, shoppers can choose from a number of trims that further meet their needs, whether it's with the impressive connectivity of the SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system or with the luxury of leather-trimmed seats and ambient lighting."

Safe Sustainability: Ford Focus Electric Receives Five-Star Rating from NHTSA

While developing the new Ford Focus Electric, the car's engineers wanted to make sure that its safety technology was just as advanced as its sustainable drivetrain. It appears they have achieved that goal, as the all-electric vehicle recently received a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in the New Car Assessment Program from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

To earn an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, vehicles must excel in the organization's frontal, side-impact and rollover crash tests. The 2013 Ford Focus Electric delivered superior crash protection in the stringent evaluations with the help of advanced front and side airbags that deploy according to the size and position of individual occupants. Meanwhile, the model's standard AdvanceTrac electronic stability control helps prevent accidents in the first place by using real-time data on road conditions and driver response to adjust engine power and apply the anti-lock brake system when needed. 

"The Focus Electric saves its owners from throwing a lot of money toward gas, but Ford recognizes that you can't put a price on safety, so it made crash protection just as much of a priority as efficiency when designing the model," said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. "Focus Electric drivers get the peace of mind of helping to create a healthier environment, but they can also take comfort in knowing that they are watching out for the well-being of the precious cargo that they're taking along for the ride."

Rated at a best-in-class 110 MPGe in the city, the Ford Focus Electric is powered by a 107-kW electric motor and a liquid-cooled, high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack. A full charge takes just three to four hours with the recommended Leviton 240-volt home charging station, and drivers can go up to 76 miles between charges, which is the longest range in the segment.

Ford announced this month that its number of EV Certified dealerships will be expanding to more than 900 this spring, up from 200 this past November. That new amount represents about a third of all Ford dealers in the United States, and the automaker will have an EV Certified dealer in all 50 states within the same timeframe.

"As a dealership that earned EV certification early on in the process, we can definitively say that Ford has gone to great lengths to ensure there is a highly supportive infrastructure in place for Focus Electric owners," added Melkonian. "From the faster home charging times to the MyFord Mobile smartphone app that lets you monitor and schedule time at public charging stations, the Focus Electric is going to play a big role in generating a broader acceptance of electric vehicles in the market."

New Ford Fusion Rakes In Car of the Year Awards

A year ago, the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion was named Best in Show by Autoweek magazine following its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, raising expectations for the dealership arrival of the midsize sedan. Fast-forward to the present day, and the new Fusion is now on sale and continuing to attract critical acclaim. Both Autobytel and AOL Autos recently named the aggressively styled model their Car of the Year.

The Autobytel 2013 Car of the Year award was decided by the votes of the vehicle-research site's editorial team, and the Fusion ended up the near-unanimous choice. Editors called the new Ford model "the right amount of car for the right price at the right time," adding that it may be "the best of a really good bunch" of midsize sedans. AOL Autos used a different voting system for its 2012 Car of the Year Award, as each editor ranked their top three cars. Three points were awarded for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote and one point for a third-place vote, with the Fusion receiving the highest overall score.

"Both Autobytel and AOL Autos agree that the Fusion's redesign has elevated the car right to the top of the midsize segment with its excellent mix of performance, value and quality," said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. "The new Fusion is thoroughly modern, whether you're looking at its crisp design lines, its innovative in-car technology or its fuel efficiency that comes without diluting responsiveness."

This month, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will go on sale as the most fuel-efficient sedan on the U.S. market, returning up to 108 MPGe in the city. That impressive gas mileage, along with the car's intuitive infotainment and driver-assist technologies, recently earned the Fusion Energi the title of 2013 Connected Car of the Year by Connected World magazine in its Green category.

The Ford Fusion Energi comes standard with SYNC with MyFord Touch, which connects with drivers' smartphones to initiate hands-free phone calls and media playback using voice commands. Meanwhile, compatibility with the MyFord Mobile app allows Fusion Energi owners to remotely check the state of the car's charge and retrieve range estimates. Buyers can also opt for a variety of active safety technologies, including a Driver Alert System, a Lane-Keeping System and a Blind Spot Information System.

"The Fusion Energi appeals equally to the head and the heart because it is packed with cost-saving and life-saving technologies, yet it looks and feels like a sportier midsize sedan," added Melkonian. "While other plug-in hybrids are marked by their subdued styles, the Fusion Energi is just as striking as it is sustainable."

Ford Introduces Its Versatile, Fuel-Efficient 2014 Transit Van Family

As businesses continue to look for more fuel-efficient and practical means of transportation, global sales of commercial vehicles are expected to grow by 4.8 million units in the next five years. Ford is hoping to take advantage of that lucrative market following the recent introduction of its redesigned 2014 Ford Transit Connect and its all-new full-size 2014 Transit, both of which are slated to go on sale in the United States later in 2013.

Receiving the sleek front end of the Ford Escape crossover and a new optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, the 2014 Transit Connect compact cargo van ramps up both style and cost savings compared to the previous generation. While the EcoBoost is expected to help the vehicle return more than 30 mpg on the highway, the standard 2.5-liter powerplant can also be outfitted with a compressed natural gas and liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) prep package, catering to those business owners who want to bypass volatile gas prices entirely.

“The next-generation Transit Connect will use the latest drivetrain technology to improve upon the already impressive fuel economy of the current model, and it will do so while looking and feeling more like a stylish crossover than a van,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. “At the same time, Ford is offering several different configurations to meet the unique needs of small businesses and fleet owners, which means greater cost savings through increased productivity.”

Available in two wheelbase lengths, as well as with or without the second row of seats, the 2014 Transit Connect features surprising capability despite its nimble ride, including a 1,600-pound maximum payload, more than 130 cubic feet of cargo space and a newly available 2,000-pound towing capacity. Meanwhile, useful technology options like a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with navigation and the SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system help drivers’ daily tasks go more smoothly.

Even in its current form, the Ford Transit Connect remains a popular choice for businesses, with sales of the small van rising 12 percent through November year-over-year in the United States. Another in-demand Ford commercial vehicle, the E-Series, has seen its sales increase 6 percent during that same time period. After 33 years as America’s best-selling commercial van, the E-Series will be replaced by the Ford Transit next fall.

Recognizing that it would be no easy task to follow up a class leader, Ford has made its 2014 Transit as much as 25 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor. Buyers will have a variety of choices for saving on gas costs, including an optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and an all-new 3.2-liter Power Stroke Diesel unit, as well as a gas-powered standard 3.7-liter V6 that can also be made compatible with a CNG/LPG package. Like the Transit Connect, the Transit is designed for versatility, featuring a choice of two wheelbases, three roof heights, three body lengths, and cutaway, van, chassis cab and wagon configurations.

“It takes a lot to replace a popular, instantly recognizable vehicle like the E-Series, but when you look at the specs of the Transit, it becomes clear that the van segment is about to take a huge leap forward,” added Melkonian. “The powerful-yet-efficient EcoBoost and diesel options will provide all of the E-Series’ capability, but with an improved ride that is lighter in the turns, as well as lighter on the wallet.”