Ford Wins the Most Automotive Excellence Awards in History From Popular
Mechanics Magazine

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

-- Ford sets a precedent in the Popular Mechanics 2010 Automotive
Excellence Awards, winning more categories by a single brand than any
other automaker in the history of the awards


-- Ford vehicles winning this year's awards are the 2010 Ford Mustang
Shelby GT500 in the Performance category, 2010 Ford Transit Connect in
the Workhorse category and the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in the
Off-Road Ability category


-- The awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and
technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10 categories



Editors at Popular Mechanics today announced the winners of the magazine's
2010 Automotive Excellence Awards, and Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) set a
precedent, winning more categories in a single year than any other automaker
in the history of the awards.

The Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards recognize the best in
automotive design, execution and technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10
categories. Ford's Mustang Shelby GT500 won the award in the Performance
category, Transit Connect took top honors in the Workhorse category and F-150
SVT Raptor earned the award in the Off-Road Ability category.

"Ford's sweep of three categories in this year's awards speaks to the
onslaught of great products coming from Dearborn," said Ben Stewart,
automotive editor, Popular Mechanics.

Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor
Company, accepted the awards on behalf of the Ford team.

"This important recognition reflects the strength and diversity of the Ford
product lineup," said Kuzak. "From a performance car to a workhorse vehicle to
an off-road pickup, Ford is building quality products that people really
want."

To determine award winners, Stewart says editors of Popular Mechanics travel
the globe and spend thousands of miles behind the wheel of every new car and
truck introduced by the world's automakers. After months of hands-on testing
and research, the team nominates a list of vehicles in each category, then
votes on the winners.

2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - Performance Category Winner

The editors of Popular Mechanics describe the Mustang Shelby GT500 as a new
superpower to contend with in the 21st-century muscle car wars.

"The Mustang Shelby GT500 - with its incredibly potent 5.4-liter V-8 engine -
certainly impressed us," said Stewart. "But it was Ford Special Vehicle Team's
(SVT) refinement of the chassis that made our staff declare the GT500 the best
Mustang in the model's long 45-year history."

2010 Ford Transit Connect - Workhorse Category Winner

Popular Mechanics editors praise the Ford Transit Connect as a fresh
alternative to a full-size van that is packaged to address the pressures of
the economy, urban congestion and fluctuating gas prices.

"It was the brilliant combination of the Transit Connect's efficient use of
space - and fuel - that won over our team," said Stewart. "This vehicle proves
that small vehicles can handle big jobs, and it comes at an ideal time when
contractors and other business owners are looking to downsize and save on
fuel."

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Off-Road Ability Category Winner

"The most extreme high-speed 4x4 pickup ever produced," is the way editors of
Popular Mechanics describe Ford's F-150 SVT Raptor.

"We spent time riding along with Ford SVT engineers at near race speeds and
had a chance to climb behind the wheel of the truck ourselves," said Stewart.
"For the avid off-roader, the Raptor is the truck we've all been waiting for."

Stewart says he was particularly impressed with the tuning of Raptor's
long-travel suspension.

"It soaks up high-speed desert terrain better than any production pickup truck
we've driven," he said.


About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's
automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.




ALSO IN THE NEWS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS:

When it comes to buying a new car, you want a ride that’s going to be reliable.
Consumer Reports released it’s list of most reliable cars today.
Some surprises for American automakers, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan earned the highest rankings among family sedans.

They beat out Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Chrysler didn’t come out so well, sinking to the bottom of the list.

Ford executives hope the latest rankings will help drive more traffic into their dealerships.
“Clearly we’re going to work very hard each month to earn our customers’ business,“ said Mark Fields, Executive Vice President, Ford Motor Company.
To see the entire report, just click here.


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