Ford Motor Co.'s market momentum got a lift Monday by winning both the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards.

Ford's Fusion Hybrid mid-size sedan took top car honours and its versatile Transit Connect compact van snagged truck of the year at the Detroit auto show.

It was only the third time in 17 years that an auto maker has won both awards, selected by 49 auto journalists and given annually since 1994. Finalists for the car award included the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf GTI and TDI diesel. The Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback were finalists for the truck award.

"It's such a huge motivator for our team," Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, told reporters after the announcements on the first day of media previews for the show. "It's a reaffirmation of all the hard work over the past couple of years."

The awards, given annually by journalists who test cars throughout the year, are often used by auto makers in advertising. Vehicles are judged on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

Ford, the only U.S.-based auto maker to avoid bankruptcy protection, has fared better than its two Detroit rivals, with overall sales down 15 per cent last year compared with a 36 per cent drop for Chrysler and a 30 per cent decline for GM.

Ford's final month of 2009 was strong, with a 33 per cent increase in sales thanks to strong demand for mid-size cars. Last year, it gained U.S. market share for the first time since 1995, helped by critical raves for its fuel-efficient cars, like the mid-size Fusion. Its compact Focus and popular Escape crossover also boosted sales.

"We still have a long way to go ... getting the business back to healthy profitability," Fields said. "We have to channel that good feeling into our efforts for 2010."

To be considered for the car and truck of the year honours, vehicles must be new or substantially changed from the previous model.

Last year's winners were the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan and the Ford F-150 pickup. The Transit Connect, a small, European van, is the sixth Ford truck to win the award. Fields said the auto maker thinks of it as a "white space vehicle" - one unlike anything else on the road.

"When you see this on the road, your first reaction is, 'What is that?"' he said. "The second reaction for a lot of customers, particularly small fleets and small business owners is, 'Hey, I want to get into that and check it out."'

AUTHORS: Jeff Karoub and Tom Krishner

January 11th, 2010

SOURCE: The Globe and Mail