2013 Ford Fusion Awarded At North American International Auto Show

The Autoweek editorial staff has chosen the 2013 Ford Fusion for its Best in Show award at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). "It's very rare for a midsize sedan to win Best in Show," said the magazine's Editor Wes Raynal. "I think it's the first of a lot of awards the Fusion is going to win this year." The highest award from Autoweek comes just one day after the car received the prestigious Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology's Eyes On Design award at NAIAS.

Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy. "I've been with the company for thirteen years," said J Mays, Ford Chief Creative Officer, "and I can truly say this is the best car ever to come out of the design and engineering center in Dearborn. We are delighted for the entire global design team, because this really was a global effort."

Fusion is being revealed in North America in S, SE, and Titanium series, and points to the next Ford Mondeo for world markets. The all-new Fusion will be on public display in Detroit's Cobo Hall through January 22.

Judges in the "Eyes on Design" awards said the Ford Fusion, beating production vehicle finalists the Cadillac ATS and new BMW 3-Series, looked like an "effortless" design and appeared more "expensive" than it really is. Ford gave the Fusion, already a top-seller, a major redesign in an effort to breakthrough stiff mid-size competition from perennial leaders the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

In accepting the award, Ford designer Moray Callum laughed at the description as effortless design. "It was a bit more than that," he said.

Ford sold 250,000 four-door Fusion sedans, giving the vehicle an edge over the Accord. Yet the company felt it was time to give the car new design and features that give it a shot to earn "best in class" with consumers. Ford dropped the six-cylinder engine in the new Fusion lineup for efficiency and will turbocharge power for boost.

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