Ford Fusion Team Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 GO FORD GO! FORD EDGE FINALIST FOR TRUCK OF THE YEAR! An international group of automotive journalists has selected the Honda Fit, the Saturn Aura and the Toyota Camry as finalists for the 2007 North American Car of the Year. The Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Edge and Mazda CX-7 are finalists for the 2007 North American Truck of the Year. The winners will be announced at NAIAS 2007 on Jan. 7. The awards are unique in the United States because - instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television station - they are given by 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. To be eligible, vehicles must be “all new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. Steve Laughman, a partner at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm. The results were announced today at a news conference during a luncheon held by the Detroit Economic Club and NAIAS. However, Laughman remains the only person who knows the winners, which will be announced January 7th at the North American International Auto Show. Although the winners are disclosed at a news conference at NAIAS, the show does not give the awards. The jurors represent outlets such as the Toronto Star, Car and Driver magazine, AutoWeek, The Chicago Tribune, MotorWeek, USA Today, Autoline Detroit, Edmunds.com, Road & Track magazine, the San Jose Mercury News, Consumer Guide, the Boston Globe, Automotive News, Popular Mechanics and Fortune. Last year the 2006 North American Car of the Year was the Honda Civic, and the 2006 North American Truck of the Year was the Honda Ridgeline. Domestic automakers have been named “North American Car of the Year” six times. Japanese cars have won three times. European cars have won four times. Domestic automakers won “North American Truck of the Year” eight times, Japanese automakers have won three times (Honda and Acura took two of those) and European automakers have won twice. In the totals above, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep are counted as domestic automakers. Volvo and Mercedes-Benz are included in the European category, even though Volvo is owned by Ford and Mercedes is part of DaimlerChrysler. While more than 60 new vehicles were eligible jurors finally voted on 11 cars and 15 trucks. Nominees for the 2007 North American Truck of the Year Acura MDX Acura RDX Audi Q7 BMW X5 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Dodge Nitro Ford Edge GMC Acadia Honda CR-V Hyundai Santa Fe Jeep Wrangler Mazda CX-7 Saturn Vue Green Line Toyota FJ Cruiser Nominees for the 2007 North American Car of the Year Chrysler Sebring Dodge Caliber Honda Fit Infiniti G35 Jaguar XK/XKR Lexus LS 460 Mercedes S-Class Nissan Altima Nissan Versa Saturn Aura Toyota Camry 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanW75287 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Here in Dallas, TX, we have a local Automtive Reporter named Ed Wallace. He is very outspoken about which cars he likes and dislikes, and the subject of the Ford Edge, he says it is a definite winner for Ford Motor Company and he likes it a lot. He also likes the Fusion and the Lincoln/Mercury variants. He said that Mazda missed the boat on their version, the CX-7. Also, my friend saw the EDGE that was in the showroom at Sam Pack's Five Star Ford in Carrollton, TX and said she really liked it. This woman is very opinionated about her vehicle choices. She hated Fords, until she rode in my Fusion and then ended up buying one for herself. She didn't like the Explorer and sort of liked the Expedition, but loves the F-150. But when it came to SUV's, she is a Nissan/Infiniti lover. That is until she saw the EDGE. She liked it so much, that when she has most of her Fusion paid off, she is going to look into getting one for herself. I agree that it is the most innovative vehicle that Ford has produced in a long, long time. It should win hands down over the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, because the have very little in innovation, except the Flex-Fuel engine, and a new look. Big deal, it is basically the same vehicle! Dean Warnock Dallas, TX 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Hope the Edge wins. It looks like a really nice well built vehicle. Can't wait to see them on the lot and road around here. I'm just glad the Ridgeline isn't nominated for anything. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Hope the Edge wins. It looks like a really nice well built vehicle. Can't wait to see them on the lot and road around here. I'm just glad the Ridgeline isn't nominated for anything. It's not nominated because it's not new. Has to be a new or significantly altered vehicle, just like Motor Trend. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyoct Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 I just spent the week with an Edge as I took it on tour to my dealers. It exceeded my expectations handily. I'm more of a car guy over trucks and SUVs but this thing really impressed me. The powertrain is phenonemal! The automatic was very responsive I felt when I needed it, and I'm a manual trans type of guy. Fuel economy estimates on it 18/24 for AWD, however at 80mph cruise speed I was getting 23.2MPG! My Explorer is lucky to get 18 at 80mph cruise and it's rated at 20MPG highway. One of my dealers who has Mazda did grab a CX-7 to compare. They are truly two separate vehicles. The Mazda is the sports car here. From the turbo engine (and premium fuel!) to the bulging fenders, to the lower roofline. The Edge is much different and will cater to a larger audience. The quality is definitely there. Even to the quiteness of the sunglass holder and the maplights. They don't go CLICK! when you press on them, they quitely go to work. The liftgate opens and closes with a light touch. The vehicle handles like it's on rails thanks to the AWD and hefty weight. Why so heavy? Well it's gotta have metal and reinforceing and materials of quality to give a superb ride experience and go to work to protect the interior in the event of a collision. From a guy who threw his Mustang into a tree at crazy speeds, I appreciate having the bulk there that'll crumple and absorb impacts. With Roll Stability Control and side airbags, I will bet this vehicle will fare well in crash ratings. With a lower pricing and superior powertrain to the Murano, it's direct competitor, this vehicle will do very well. We are in for a treat here. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 I'm definatly checking one out when they hit the lot. Just don't know if I want to spend that much money on a vehicle again. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urnews Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 The winners will be announced at NAIAS 2007 on Jan. 7. Staff, Please post the results, regardless of the outcome, as soon as they become available. Boz 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCOTT07AWD Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Our dealership has gotten 5 of them in! Anywhere from the base SE to the loaded SEL AWD. They get prepped and sent to the showroom. they sell almost immediately. 2days tops! Great vehicle!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urnews Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 That's pretty amazing Scott. By the way, has your dealership had any mileage complaints about AWD Fusions? I am only getting 13 mpg in-city for the first 713 miles. Curious about how other AWD owners are making out. The Edge sounds like a sure-fire winner. Boz 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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