Three Ford vehicles took highest honors in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study?

Ford Focus, "Highest Initial Quality among Compact Cars."
Ford Mustang, "Highest Initial Quality among Mid-size Sporty Cars."
Ford Taurus, "Highest Initial Quality among Large Cars."

Every year, thousands of new vehicle owners respond to J.D. Powers and Associates surveys that gather information on mechanical and design quality issues over the first three months of ownership. Study results are tabulated using a "problems per 100 vehicles" standard. The lower the number reported, the higher the quality rating.

The Ford Focus, Ford Mustang and Ford Taurus each received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact, midsize sporty and large cars, respectively, in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study?. Study based on responses from 82,095 new-vehicle owners, measuring 236 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2010. Your experiences may vary.

Mustang GT named one of Car and Driver's 10Best for 2011

After a week-long examination of the newest and best 2011 cars by the entire editorial staff of Car and Driver, 65 vehicles in all, Ford Mustang GT was named to the prestigious 10Best list. This marks the sixth time Mustang has received this honor, more times than any other Ford vehicle in the history of the award.

Fusion Hybrid named one of CAR AND DRIVER's 2010 10Best Cars.

For 2010, CAR AND DRIVER hosted 58 automobiles for their annual 10Best competition. The testing was intense. CAR AND DRIVER writes, "We flogged the cars for a week over our long-standing route, which serves up everything from smooth curves to pockmarked apexes to first-gear corners to high-speed straights to elevation changes." CarandDriver.com, January 2010

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com: 2011 Ford Taurus, Mustang GT & Super Duty "Best Resale Values"

The Best Resale Value Awards are given annually by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com to those vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original list price after five years of ownership. This year, three Ford vehicles garnered trophies in their respective categories.

The 2011 Taurus was named Best Resale Value in the full-size car class. The 2011 F-Series Super Duty won in the full-size pickup class. And the 2011 Mustang GT took the trophy in the high-performance class. Vehicles hold their value for various reasons, but a five-year forecast of good returns certainly implies quality manufacturing, astute pricing and a style or personality that attracts buyers and keeps attracting them

Flex and Fusion named Top Safety Picks for 2010

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2010 Ford Flex (vehicles built after January 2010) and the 2010 Ford Fusion (vehicles built after April 2010) with Top Safety Pick.

Both Flex and Fusion received the Top Safety Pick designation last year, but in order to maintain it for 2010, each had to earn the highest rating of good for its roof strength in the Institute's new rollover test.

To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle's roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle's weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. According to the IIHS, this is a useful assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes. Good-rated vehicles like Flex and Fusion have roofs that can withstand a force equal to at least 4 times the vehicle's weight.

In addition to the highest rating of good for front and side crash tests, rollover test and rear crash protection tests, becoming a Top Safety Pick requires that a vehicle have electronic stability control, which is a standard feature on both Flex and Fusion.

Ford Flex chosen by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com as one of the 2010 Best Family Cars

Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com likes the seven-passenger Flex. They were impressed with its no-charge heat and air conditioning vents for each of the three rows. Other features they were taken with: the elbow-high bottle holders that are easy for kids to reach, Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler and available refrigerated 2nd-row console, all of which they said made Flex, "... the ultimate in cruising comfort."

Disclaimers:

For more information on J.D. Power and Associates and the Initial Quality Study, go to jdpower.com. For information on these and other quality Ford vehicles, visit www.ford.com. Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2011 model year. For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.