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Earlier today Motor Trend Magazine named the 2010 Ford Fusion as their pick for Car of the Year award. According to Jonathon Richards, Fusion Marketing Manager, the Fusion bested a field of 23 contenders — including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW-7 series and Mercedes-Benz E Class.

Earlier today, Ford Motor Company announced plans to introduce the industry's first inflatable rear-seat belt on the next-generation Explorer, which goes into production next year. Ed DeSmet, Ford Global Seat Belt Technical Specialist says Ford is combining two of the top life-saving technologies… seat belts and air bags… to bring enhanced crash protection to rear-seat occupants.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury October U.S. sales totaled 132,483, up 3 percent versus a year ago and 21 percent higher than September. According to Ford Sales Analyst, George Pipas, this marks the third time in the last four months Ford sales have increased.

Ford Motor Company is the first North American automaker to utilize the Virtual Vehicle Sound Simulator to fine-tune sound inside a vehicle's cabin, part of a continuing effort by Ford to deliver industry-leading quietness and refinement with minimal noise, vibration and harshness. Mark Clapper, a technical leader in noise, vibration and harshness engineering, says the Virtual Vehicle Sound Simulator can shave valuable time and cost out of the vehicle development process. But even more important than that, Clapper says, it's often the "Why Buy" factor for consumers.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury third quarter sales were 5 percent higher than a year ago in the U.S., making Ford the only full-line manufacturer to report a sales increase in the period. Sales analyst, George Pipas says Ford's new products are what drove the industry's only third-quarter U.S. sales boost.

Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to endorse a federal ban on text messaging while driving. Louis Tijerina (Tea-arena) Senior Technical Specialist in Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor company explained why the company supports the proposed legislation.

Ford Motor Company unveiled its new 7-seat C-MAX vehicle today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. According to Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development, it will arrive in North America beginning late 2011 and is based on the Ford Focus platform.

A combination of Ford Motor Company's strong line up and the governments Cash for Clunkers program, drove retail sales up 21 percent for the month of August. George Pipas, Ford Sales Analyst says Ford's total sales including fleet customer deliveries were up 17-percent compared to last year.

Ford Motor Company continues to deliver vehicles that are satisfying to own and drive, and has the data to back it up. The 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study, which measures customer satisfaction in design, content and vehicle performance, shows the Ford Brand improved by 17 points and moved up six rank positions from last year. Bennie Fowler, Group Vice President of Quality attributes the come back to a commitment Ford has made in delivering great quality.

Ford Motor Company celebrated production of the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus – which today was named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 'Top Safety Pick' – in the historic Chicago Assembly Plant.