Editors at Popular Mechanics today announced the winners of the magazine’s 2010 Automotive Excellence Awards, and Ford Motor Company 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.
Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, accepted the awards on behalf of the Ford team.
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 Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics. “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 4×4 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.
Quotes
“Ford’s sweep of three categories in this year’s awards speaks to the onslaught of great products coming from Dearborn.”
– Ben Stewart, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics
“This important recognition reflects the strength and diversity of the Ford product lineup. From a performance car to a workhorse vehicle to an off-road pickup, Ford is building quality products that people really want.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company
About DigiKnows #5— Stay Connected and Productive with Ford Work Solutions™ Technology
In our fifth episode on March 24th at 12:00 noon ET, Michael Collins takes a look at in-dash Ford Work Solutions technology and discovers how Ford developed a fully-integrated mobile workplace. Join in and ask your questions as Michael talks about Ford Work Solutions with Bill Frykman and Ed Pleet the business development managers for this technology.
America’s best-selling truck the Ford F-Series, as well as the Ford E-Series vans are now equipped with this industry-first collection of smart technologies. And when the all-new 2010 Ford Transit Connect comes to market this summer, the customer — small business owners — will be able to order it as well. Designed to fundamentally change the way Ford truck owners do business, Ford Work Solutions technologies literally bring the office to the job site—enhancing connectivity, flexibility, productivity and security.
Some features of Ford Work Solutions include:
Connectivity: In-dash computer system offers high-speed Internet access, navigation tools, and hands free calling. Enables customers to access office documents, print invoices, and check inventories directly on the job site.
Flexibility: Tool Link, with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) provides an asset tracking system, providing a real-time inventory of tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.
Productivity: Crew Chief, a fleet diagnostics system enables fleet owners to quickly and efficiently manage vehicles, dispatch workers, monitor driver performance and maintain up-to-date maintenance records.
Security: Cable Lock security system, designed to discourage theft of costly, large tools that don’t fit in the cab.
The industry-exclusive technologies are available in the new 2009 Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty trucks,2009 E-Series Vans and 2010 Transit Connect. A selection of the four features will also be available for upgrade for Ford Trucks already in service.
About Ford DigiKnows
Now you can talk to the people at Ford about what matters to you. Join us every week for Ford DigiKnows – a series of live interactive steaming video events. Each week our intrepid host, Michael Collins, takes you the behind the scenes for the scoop on all things Ford. The DigiKnow live streaming events let you talk with the experts from Ford, as they take you under the hood for a look at new and innovative Ford technologies. DigiKnows helps you uncover another side of Ford.
Ford Work Solutions™ Expands Capability and Productivity of America’s Favorite Trucks
America’s best-selling truck the F-Series, along with Ford’s F-150, E-Series and Transit Connect Vans are soon-to-be equipped with a collection of industry-first ‘smart’ technologies. Designed to fundamentally change the way Ford truck owners do business, Ford Work Solution™ technologies are aimed at enhancing connectivity, flexibility, productivity and security.
The four affordable and innovative features bring the office to the job site, offering a fully-integrated mobile workplace. Some of the Work Solution™ highlights include:
Connectivity: In-dash computer system offers high-speed Internet access, navigation tools, and hands free calling. Enables customers to access office documents, print invoices, and check inventories directly on the job site.
Flexibility: Tool Link, with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) provides an asset tracking system, providing a real-time inventory of tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.
Productivity: Crew Chief, a fleet diagnostics system enables fleet owners to quickly and efficiently manage vehicles, dispatch workers, monitor driver performance and maintain up-to-date maintenance records.
Security: Cable Lock security system, designed to discourage theft of costly, large tools that don’t fit in the cab.
The industry-exclusive technologies are available in the new 2009 Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty trucks and 2009 E-Series Vans. A selection of the four features will also be available for upgrade for Ford Trucks already in service.
Quotes
“Our truck customers are smart and they work hard. Ford Work Solutions provides truck customers new technologies and tools to help them work even smarter and further boost their productivity.”
- Mark Fields, President of Ford The Americas
“Tool Link increases productivity and saves money. It helps contractors and tradespeople guarantee they show up at the job site with the right tools for each job, and that they don’t leave equipment behind.”
- William Frykman, Ford Work Solutions Product and Business Development Manager
“Secure, lockable storage is important for all customers. That’s why we (Ford) worked with Master Lock to deliver the Cable Lock, a convenient way to secure items such as toolboxes, air compressors, generators or large power tools that may need to be in the pickup box when the vehicle is parked.”
- William Frykman, Ford Work Solutions Product and Business Development Manager
