The hot-selling 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor just got hotter as it has been awarded 4×4 of the Year by Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine. This is the third award for the off-road performance truck, which went on sale in August.

Since its initial world debut in late 2008, the F-150 SVT Raptor high-speed off-road performance truck has been a hit. The Dearborn Truck Plant has been building the truck at maximum capacity to fulfill orders, and the media have been giving it stellar reviews and awards based on its off-road performance and daily drivability.

“This truck can handle anything the off-road world can dish out,” stated Doug Scott, truck group marketing manager. “The F-150 SVT Raptor has been a fantastic halo for the F-150 line, with capabilities far beyond what any other manufacturer currently offers.”

Vehicles were judged on a 1,000-mile trail that evaluated the suspension, engine, transmission, transfer case and styling, and of course, off-road performance. F-150 SVT Raptor beat out three competitors, including the Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon, Hummer H3T Alpha and Toyota 4Runner Trail.

Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development, added, “Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) worked very closely with FOX Racing Shox and BFGoodrich to give the F-150 immense off-road capability, while still being civil on pavement.”

He continued, “Even though the truck is focused on high speed, we took into account all aspects of off-road driving during development. This award is proof that the F-150 SVT Raptor is a well-rounded performer.”

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* Factory-installed Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS® Travel Link™ in the Lincoln MKS ranks highest in J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study and the system in the Ford Flex is second on the list.
* The systems, supplied by Clarion, also receive high marks for ease of use.
* Navigation systems in five Ford and Lincoln vehicles earned five of the top 10 positions.
* The study highlights the fact that navigation systems are a daily part of life for more consumers.

Lincoln MKS owners report “Highest Satisfaction” with their Clarion-equipped Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS® Travel Link™, according to J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study. The same system in the Ford Flex is second on the list.

Co-developed with Ford, the Clarion navigation systems are in over fifteen Ford vehicles. Ford and Lincoln models earned five of the top 10 positions, in addition to receiving high marks from consumers for being easy to use.

The newly released study, based on responses from nearly 17,000 consumers who recently purchased or leased 2009 model year vehicles with factory-installed navigation systems, was conducted in October.

“Consumers are spending so much time in their vehicles today, so it’s become increasingly important for them to remain connected,” said Jim Buczkowski, director, Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering for Ford Motor Company. “But we realize that all that connectivity and information doesn’t help people unless the system is easy to use. That’s why we’ve worked so hard to make sure our navigation system is not only extremely functional, but exceptionally intuitive.”

This marks the sixth J.D. Power and Associates award Clarion has received in the past four years for either in-dash navigation or multimedia systems. “Clarion is very honored to have the privilege to work with Ford in supplying navigation and audio systems,” says Matt Matsuda, president of Clarion Corporation of America. “Clarion is committed to supplying high-quality navigation and multimedia systems that offer appealing features that consumers demand most in a very user-friendly package.”

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The 2010 Ford Fusion has been a popular choice among Boston car buyers and much of the nation, and for good reason.  The celebrated Fusion was just selected by Motor Trend Magazine for their prestigious Car of the Year® award.  The award comes on the heels of the Fusion setting record-breaking sales for 2009.

To win the coveted Car of the Year award, Fusion outperformed the competition – including the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan – in six new categories: design achievement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value.

Stoneham Ford in Massachusetts has a great selection of Fusion cars in stock and ready for a test drive.  The Fusion is also among the nation’s top 10-selling vehicles and the number 1-selling domestic car in America. 

Ford Fusion owners particularly love the Fusion’s gas efficiency.  With EPA-estimated 23 City/34 Hwy/27 combined mpg, Ford Fusion is at the head of its class in fuel economy.  The new Fusion offers Boston residents more of what they love; power, class-exclusive technologies, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Ford SYNC®; and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.

Boston Ford shoppers who would like to learn more about the 2010 Ford Fusion can visit http://www.fordmassachusetts.com/for-sale/ford-fusion