Ford Motor Company (F)’s 2013 Fusion Hybrid Dominates Competition

Ford’s 2013 Fusion Hybrid. Photo: Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F).

It’s difficult to believe that a few short years after Detroit automakers were specifically known for producing gas-guzzling SUVs that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has designed a hybrid that’s dominating the market. It’s won numerous awards, ranks atop multiple listings, and impresses more consumers every month. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s raving about how consumers are coming to showrooms in markets not known for hybrid sales — sending sales through the roof. Here are some details regarding all the hype.

The winner
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s 2013 Fusion Hybrid has collected numerous awards, including these two from U.S. News & World Report Rankings:

2013 Best Hybrid Car for the Money

2013 Best Hybrid Car for Families

In addition to those awards, it ranks No. 1 in U.S. News‘ “Affordable Midsize Cars” and “Hybrid Cars.”

The reasons U.S. News gave for placing the Fusion Hybrid on top? “Excellent fuel economy, strong performance, great reliability and safety scores, a roomy interior and stylish exterior.”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s Fusion Hybrid 2.0L four-cylinder engine puts out 188 horsepower and gets 47 mpg in the city and on the highway — putting it ahead of almost all the competition. It received four and a half out of five stars on user reviews at Edmunds.com, with the only complaint being its buggy MyFord Touch infotainment system, which has plagued Ford over the last couple of years. On the positive side, its quiet powertrain, good power, and torque in combination with its fuel efficiency make it a popular option in its class — and it’s showing in Ford’s sales.

Ford delivered its best hybrid quarter ever with Q2 sales up 517% from last year and was the first time sales topped 24,000 in a quarter, according to Ford.

“Customers have come to expect fuel economy and leading technology with every new vehicle Ford delivers,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, global marketing, in a Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) press release. “Our newest hybrids are contributing to Ford’s growth and share gains, while bringing new customers into the showroom in nontraditional hybrid markets.”

To make sure this success is sustained Ford has hired more than 200 new electrification engineers and is spending $50 million for research and development facilities that will double Ford’s battery-testing capabilities. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) expects those investments to speed up electrified vehicle development by as much as 25%.