Ford sweeps 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards

Ford, the American giant which is on a stunning comeback trail across the world, has made a clean sweep of the 2010 North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards with it's Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect taking home the titles respectively. Earlier, Honda in 2006 and General Motors in 2007 had won both the titles and this is the third time in the 17-year history of the awards that a single manufacturer becomes the recipient of both the titles.

Of the three car finalists, Ford Fusion Hybrid scored 241 points leaving behind the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI (146 points) and the Buick LaCrosse (103 points). One of the jurors summed up the verdict as "Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, The Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car - and a very good one indeed."

Amongst the truck finalists, Ford's Transit Connect had 213 points followed by the Chevrolet Equinox (183 points) and the Subaru Outback (94 points). Jim Mateja, of the Chicago Tribune, said "A U-Haul that fits in your garage. Holds people and soooo much of their stuff - bikes, snowmobiles, lawn movers, skis, tents, boats, ladders, furniture, you name it. Defines multi-purpose and boasts a reasonable price even when you add side and rear windows and back seat."

The fact is that both are worthy winners from a deserving manufacturer which is doing almost everything right at the moment. Last year, the North American Car of the Year was the Hyundai Genesis and North American Truck of the Year was Ford F-150. My guess on the title winners turned out to be partially correct with the Fusion Hybrid hitting the bull's eye and the Chevrolet Equinox failing to make the cut.