The winner of the award, which recognises vehicles which use innovative technology to deliver maximum fuel efficiency and minimum carbon footprint, is chosen by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

This year, the panel decided that the 2013 Fusion Hybrid was to be the lucky recipient of the award, making it the second time this particular model has been honoured by the AJAC. At last year’s TestFest, an event where new models are pitted against each other, the AJAC chose the 2013 Fusion Hybrid as its Best New Family Car (Under $30,000).

Steve Ross, Ford’s product marketing manager for sustainability and electrification in Canada, said of the win:

“We are extremely proud that the 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid has been honoured by our country’s top automotive journalists as the recipient of the inaugural Canadian Green Car Award,”

“The Fusion hybrid is an important vehicle in the Ford lineup, delivering leading fuel-economy, innovative technologies and a sleek, desirable design for eco-conscious consumers.”

According to attendees and industry insiders, Ford was one of the main highlights of the 2013 Denver Auto Show, which ran from the 20th to 24th March. A number of new Ford cars and concepts were showcased, along with prototypes for the 2014 model year.

The main attraction, however, was the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion, the flagship for the brand’s range of cars. The most noticeable aspect about the new model is its beautiful styling, as well as the huge number of different options available to allow drivers to customise their perfect vehicle. Visitors at the Denver Auto Show got a peek at the Hybrid, Energi and EcoBoost models, but were also told about the seven models and five powertrain options available in the range.

The new Fusion also comes with new, user-friendly safety features such as Active Park Assist. Kendra Clayton, Ford’s Denver region zone manager explained how this particular feature works, saying:

“All you need to do is keep your foot on the brake, let go of the wheel, and the car will parallel park itself.”

In the near future, Ford will introduce the Ford Focus Electric, Ford C-MAX Energi and Fusion models to around 700 more dealerships across the 50 states of the U.S. This will bring the total offering electric Ford cars from 200 (recorded in November 2012) to 900.

Sales of electric Ford cars in the U.S. have been steady in the last few months, but the manufacturer is enjoying more success in the hybrid car market. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, in particular, has a 16 per cent share of the electric car market and is the second best seller after Toyota electric vehicles.

Ford’s electrified vehicle marketing manager CJ O’Donnell has expressed a desire to capitalise on Ford’s momentum in the electric car market. He said:

“Research indicates that 60% of new vehicle shoppers are considering hybrid products. With this demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, early sales of Ford’s five electrified vehicles has been phenomenal, creating a tremendous amount of excitement among our dealers,”

The Ford Fusion is a midsize sedan hybrid vehicle, offering motorists a range of impressive green features. It comes in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions and has one of the most fuel-efficient powertrains of most other vehicles in its class. Other green features include an Ecoboost four-cylinder engine and an automatic start-stop system to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary.

The Fusion was up against the Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV crossover, the Dodge Dart Aero and the Toyota Prius c, as well as another of the most popular Ford cars – the Ford C-Max. However, the Ford Fusion emerged victorious due to its surprisingly low price tag. It is the most affordable vehicle to ever earn the title of ‘Green Car of the Year’.

Ron Cogan, who is the editor of Green Car Journal and who announced the award at the LA Auto Show, offered another reason for the Fusion’s victory, saying:

“It won by virtue of the fact that it offers an array of choices,”

The Ford C-MAX and Ford Fusion join the Toyota Prius C, the Dodge Dart Aero and the Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV as the finalists of the competition, which is now in its eight exciting year. The overall winner will be announced in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the US.

Commenting on the shortlist, the editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, Ron Cogan, said:

“This is a very exciting time for the Green Car of the Year program,

“For two decades now, Green Car Journal has documented the ‘greening’ of the auto industry, from a time of mere concepts and demonstration programs to today, when the sheer number of environmentally positive production vehicles available to consumers is just eye-opening.”

The Ford Fiesta and C-MAX have been nominated for the award due to the fact that they come with a choice of powertrains and from next year, plug-in hybrid Energy models will be available alongside combustion-only and Hybrid models. Even owners of used Ford Fusion and C-MAX cars have praised the ‘green’ qualities of each, which is why they remain amongst the most popular Ford cars with eco-aware consumers.

Cars like the Ford Focus and the Ford Mondeo provide power and luxury while others like the Ford Ka provide compactness and simplicity. The Ford range of MPVs provides versatility, space and safety while the Ford Kuga is among the best 4×4 vehicles available on the market. The Ford Fusion fills in an important gap between cars like the Ford Focus and Ford’s MPV range.

This is because the Ford Fusion offers simplicity in a more practical guise than the more compact cars in the range. It represents a cost-effective choice because of its low power and efficient approach and yet it is spacious enough and convenient enough to act as a really good family car. It is definitely worth looking at the Ford Fusion if the other cars in the Ford range do not quite tally with your preferences and needs.

The Fusion is a really good family car. It is really spacious which means it makes for very comfortable journeys both in the front and in the back seats. It also features plenty of room for cargo and luggage which makes it a really practical option.

You can also rely on the excellent engine under the bonnet of most versions of the Ford Fusion. It delivers enough power to perform well on the motorway but is always easy to manage and control. This is the perfect balance in a practical motor.

Of course, there is also the influential factor of Ford’s reliable design and build. This car is designed to meet the demands of modern drivers and to withstand a great deal of use. Used Ford cars are renowned for this particular quality and the Ford Fusion is just another example of a successful build.

A new Fiesta 1.25 Studio 3door can now be had for £9395. All new Ka’s and most Fiesta’s also benefit from a £450 deposit allowance for customers wishing to use Ford Credit to finance their vehicle.

The biggest news however, is that Focus models have been reduced by a further £1000 meaning you can now own a new Focus 1.6 Zetec 5door for as little as £13295. This deal is made even better as a £1500 deposit allowance from Ford Credit is also available.

For further information or a quotation please give us a call on 01629 582231.