Grand Rapids, Michigan attorney Michael Snapper received an unusual call from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who phoned to thank him for choosing the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid over the Prius. Since when did gratitude become "Job One?"

Snapper had previously placed an order on a new Prius but once news and reviews of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid started coming out he had second thoughts. After researching the car and taking its Made in Hermosillo, Mexico America status into consideration, he changed his order and tossed their lot in with the new Fusion Hybrid.

News of the story somehow reached the ears of Alan Mulally, who left a message on Snapper's phone thanking him for his choice. Sure, with anemic sales, Mulally can spend the time to make phone calls to every Ford buyer, but if this reflects the kind of attitude at Ford in the future, the consumer market is going to be taking notice. Of course if that ends up happening, Mulally may not have time to call every buyer to thank them.

[WOOD TV]

Here's the full press release:

2010 ford fusion hybrid qualifies buyers for highest available federal tax credit — $3,400

DEARBORN, MICH., Jan. 28, 2009 – Customers eager to purchase America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, can take advantage of a $3,400 tax credit from the federal government.

Buyers of a new 2010 Fusion Hybrid or Mercury Milan Hybrid this year will qualify for the $3,400 tax credit, the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after December 31, 2005. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUVs in America, continue to qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, the highest available tax credit of all hybrids on the road today.

Fusion Hybrid’s class-leading 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, helped Fusion garner the significant credit amount, which is based on a vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency. Stacked together, Fusion’s fuel savings and tax incentive can help significantly offset the premium to the customer for hybrid-electric technology over a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.

“Hybrids are an important part of our strategy to deliver the best or among the best fuel economy with all of our new products, and the Fusion and Milan Hybrids have set the pace for the company, as well as our competitors,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re glad to see our government help promote these advanced, clean fuel-efficient vehicles to the consumer.”

Technological innovation, like the development of Ford’s hybrid systems, is a core value as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. A new study this week by The Patent Board™ – the world’s leading patent analyst – found that Ford outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. The 2010 Fusion, Milan and their respective hybrid models set new standards for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents.

Hybrid Hot Sheet

To deliver 700-plus miles on a single tank of gas, Fusion Hybrid travels up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) allows the hybrid to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa, delivering a near imperceptible hybrid driving experience to the customer.

Other advanced hybrid systems that contribute to Fusion’s fuel-economy leadership include:

• A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system.

• An enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.

• A regenerative brake system that recovers and stores nearly 94 percent of energy normally lost through friction in braking.

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid also debuts Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the fuel efficiency of their vehicle.

Ford’s Growing Hybrid Fleet

The 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids join the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, doubling the company’s hybrid product offerings and volume.

The 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrid FWD models qualify for a $3,000 tax credit; 4WD models $1,950. Owners of previous model-year Escape and Mariner hybrid models may also qualify for varying credit amounts from $1,950 to $3,000. The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle.

The tax credit amounts available for 2009 and 2010 model year hybrid vehicles are as follows:

Tax Credit Update

Customers who purchase a Ford or Mercury brand hybrid by 3/31/09 will remain eligible for the full tax credit amounts. Beginning 4/1/09 customers who purchase a hybrid will only be able to claim a partial tax credit as described in the table above.

Since Ford Motor Company reached the 60,000 vehicle threshold in the 4th quarter of 2008, the tax credit amounts are reduced by 50% beginning in the 2nd quarter of 2009 and by an additional 25% beginning in the 4th quarter 2009. No tax credit amount is available for hybrids after 3/31/10.

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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 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

This was probably a carefully assembled scene destined for fancy lighting and a once-over by high-dollar photographers for some glossy print mag. Instead, we drove up in our GEM car and took these first-ever photos of the 2010 Honda Insight with its direct rival, the 2010 Toyota Prius. The two hybrid headliners from Japan made their official debuts here at the 2009 Detroit Auto show and will be duking it out for self-satisfied sales later this year.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was also there, which is funny because it was previously been spottedposing with the Cadillac Converj, another car in no way associated with the Fusion's segment of "non-jellybean-shaped sedan with great gas mileage." The Fusion Hybrid is a great car on its own merits but folks are tossing it into shoots, making it look like Chester the Terrier. 'Hey guys! What's up, fellas? Want to play hypermiling?'

In what'll certainly shock Congress and naysayers across the nation, and as we found out in our first drive, the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is now officially America's most fuel efficient mid-size sedan with a rating of 41 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. That bests the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 MPG in the city and 2 MPG on the highway. We can almost hear the Ford folks in Dearborn chanting from here — it sounds like — is that — yes, "USA! USA! USA!"

41 mpg! All-new FORD Fusion hybrid IS NOW America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size car

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2008 – The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:

* Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.
* New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
* Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
* Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
* Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving
The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio.

In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy standouts on the road today. They include:

* The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
* The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
* The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
* The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

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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 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Full Disclosure: Ford wanted me to drive the new Ford Fusion Hybrid so badly they flew me out and put me up in a nice hotel to make sure I wrote about it. Also, they fed me faux French cuisine. Bad faux French cuisine.

Please don’t take that as a challenge. To achieve that figure, I had to drive dangerously, illegally and boringly. Basically, I went really slow. Really slow. But that’s not to say that the Fusion Hybrid isn’t an economical, fun, high-quality vehicle that’s possibly the best application of a Hybrid powertrain yet.

It’s time to admit that I had a little help hypermiling the Fusion. No, not with any radical aerodynamic aides or drafting assistance vehicles; the help came from the vehicle itself or, more specifically, its SmartGauge with Ecoguide instrument panel.

With this system Ford is acknowledging that the weakest link in fuel economy isn’t something in the vehicle itself, it’s the driver. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide system provides drivers with the information they need, and the encouragement, to drive in a fuel-efficient manner.

The system uses two high-resolution, full-color LCD screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can operate in four modes: Inform, Enlighten, Engage, Empower. Aside from the clear indication that Ford uses really cheesy marketing talk, those four settings progress from basic information to overwhelming but incredibly informative. It’s the Empower mode that helped me set that mileage record.

The Fusion’s hybrid system can operate in full electric mode at up to 47 MPH, but it’s not like you can just plant your foot and drive around in full electric mode as long as you don’t exceed that speed. There’s a complicated relationship between acceleration, load, battery charge level and external conditions that determines when EV mode can be employed. Also, to really take advantage of electric operation, you need to have at least 1/2 battery charge. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide (I’m getting really tired of writing that) simplifies all that for you with an easy sliding display that shows the range of throttle opening that can be used within EV mode, and helps you recharge the battery through regenerative braking. You’ll need to do both to achieve really good mileage figures.

I know that all sounds overwhelming and, at first, that’s exactly how the system feels. But, spend a few minutes paying attention to it and you’ll rapidly be able to understand how to use the information to your advantage. Check out Ford’s demo video. The only problem is that paying the system the kind of attention necessary to minimize fuel use is massively distracting. Not only did I drive around LA at far below the speed limit, but I spent most of the time staring at the instruments in a desperate attempt to both maximize EV usage and regenerative braking. Over time, the system should help drivers learn more fuel-efficient behavior, requiring them to focus less on the instruments as their skill increases.

Encouragement is provided by animated leaves on the right hand side. Again, pretty cheesy, but the excellent graphics make up for it. Depending on your driving habits over a period of time, those leaves either grow in number or whither and die. You wouldn’t want to kill a harmless plant would you? Of course, all this can be switched off if you’re an oil baron from Texas.

Ford looks at the Camry Hybrid as its main competition. Aside from easily besting that vehicle’s fuel economy, the Fusion also comprehensively outdrives the Camry; providing a level of steering feel, control responsiveness and overall ability that’s far greater than that of its Japanese competition. It’s even fun to drive. Really, a hybrid is fun to drive. The suspension provides controlled damping that leads to both good ride and cornering, while there’s plenty of poke available from the 35 HP, 166 Lb-Ft electric motor combined with the 156 HP, 136 Lb-Ft 2.5-liter gasoline engine.

The Fusion is nicer inside too. While still not up to European levels of design, the Fusion cabin doesn’t revolt in the same way that the Camry does. SYNC is standard as are all other Fusion SEL options. The cabin is roomy, allowing plenty of space for five human beings.

The price? Well, the Fusion Hybrid's $27,270, $3,295 more than a comparable Fusion SEL.

It’s all these factors together that make the Fusion Hybrid a solid choice in this sector. It asks you to make no sacrifices in the pursuit of excellent fuel economy, while providing you with the tools to both maximize your own efficiency and enjoy driving.

The user interface is smooth and polished, with no lag in between screens and the interface proved far easier to use than we expected. The twin 4.3" TFT LCD screens that flank the center, traditional speedometer run at 800x480 pixels, which is basically high definition resolution, and are incredibly easy on the eyes. The screens are manipulated using steering wheel mounted buttons and the myriad options are easy to navigate. The gauges are completely reconfigurable, but you can pick predefined packs of gauges ranging from super simple fuel and temp all the way up to NORAD command central level, graphing fuel economy in real time and reporting specs on your last trip, power draw from accessories, and output from the gas engine and hybrid engine independently. Based on our limited time with the thing we were impressed. This system will compliment the hybrid tech on the Fusion quite nicely and give customers that "surprise and delight" designers are always after.Yeah, LCD instrument panel, Michael Knight, eat your heart out.