America's most fuel-efficient midsize car

Ford plans to produce five full electric or hybrid vehicles in the compact, midsize and light commercial segments for the North American market by 2012 and the European markets by 2013.

Europeans can look forward to a zero-emission all-electric Ford Transit Connect in 2011, followed by the Focus Electric in 2012. Two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles and a plug-in hybrid vehicle – will follow in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

Ford’s broader strategy is to offer a wide range of environmentally friendly transportation solutions – rather than a single vehicle or technology. This is designed to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions affordably for customers around the world.  These plans build on the solid foundation of the commercial and critical success of its Ford Fusion Hybrid.

World record breakers

The 2010 Fusion hybrid set a world-record when a racing driver and 'hyper-miling' experts drove 1,445.7 on a single tank of petrol during a fund-raising effort in Washington. They averaged 81.5 miles per gallon in a standard off-the-showroom floor model – nearly doubling its U.S. certified mileage.

The Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team took turns driving several routes in and around the national capital over the course of approximately three days and nights. The route involved elevation changes, and ranged from the relatively open road to a 3-mile stretch in the heart of the city - clogged with roughly 30 traffic signals.

Like the Honda Insght Hybrid, Ford coaches drivers by encouraging them to "grow virtual plants" in the dash display.

NASCAR star Carl Edwards drove the last leg of the challenge and apparently uses fuel-saving techniques when driving the immensely powerful NASCAR Ford Fusion racing car:
 

It was exciting to be an active part in this challenge. The fact that it will help spread the word about the Fusion Hybrid’s great mileage, and help out a great charity, makes it even more special,” said Edwards, whose ‘99’ team has used fuel-saving techniques to win races. “There’s no question that the Fusion Hybrid will help consumers save fuel when they drive it. Having driven the car, I feel strongly about how great it is – so strong that I’ve purchased one myself.

In stark contrast, a heavily modified Ford Fusion reached over 200mph in 2007. The Fusion Hydrogen 999 used hydrogen-powered fuel cells and electric motors to set the mark as the world fastest fuel-cell car.

“We established this project to advance fuel-cell-powered vehicles and to do what has never been done before—and we did it.”
- Ford VP for research & advanced engineering