Ford's 2010 Fusion hybrid sedan and its 2010 Transit Connect van won in their respective categories, making it the third time in 17 years one company has taken both awards, the show's organizers announced Monday.
The Fusion hybrid with 241 points beat out finalists, the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI, which earned 146 points and the Buick LaCrosse with 103 points.
In the truck category, of the three finalists, the Ford Transit Connect garnered 213 points. The Chevrolet Equinox crossover earned 183 points, while the Subaru Outback crossover came in third with 94 points.
The award is decided by television, radio, Internet and print journalists who cover the automobile industry and decide the awards based on value, safety, handling, creative design and driver satisfaction.
"Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, The Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car," said Csaba Csere, former editor-in-chief at Car and Driver.
Over the years, North American companies have won Car of the Year nine times, followed by European companies with four wins, Japanese companies with three and Korea with one.
U.S. companies are more dominant in the truck category with 11 wins to four from Japan and two from Europe.
Copyright 2010 by United Press International.
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