Ford’s breakthrough 2012 Focus Electric recently bagged Green Car Journal’s annual Green Car Vision Award and beat other notable electric vehicles in the just concluded Washington Auto Show.

According to Ron Cogan, Editor and Publisher of the Green Car Journal: “The groundwork that Ford has laid with such advanced and sensible technologies as EcoBoost, hybrid drivetrains, and ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles has shown an understanding of what it takes to bring fundamental change to the marketplace, without sacrificing the features and the driving enjoyment that is so important to new car ownership. The Focus Electric is an extension of this philosophy.”

Other finalists include Honda Fit EV, Mitsubishi i, Toyota RAV4 Electric, and Volvo C30 DrivE electric. Ford first unveiled the Focus Electric in the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show held last month in Las Vegas.

Focus Electric will run on cost-efficient lithium-ion battery system and can be charged in three to four hours using a 240-volt charging station. Aside from being an environmentally friendly car, the Focus is packed with interesting and advanced features, setting it apart from other EVs in the market. The Green Car Vision winner can be charged much faster than its two closest competitors, the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt. It also utilizes the MyFord Touch interface and MyKey technology for advanced driving convenience. In addition to that, Ford developed an app for SmartPhone users to have an in-depth view and knowledge regarding the status of their car, like its battery life and charge schedule. To top it all off, Focus has eco-friendly seats and a sporty Z shape design that exudes a powerful athletic sophistication.

Get your hands on the Focus Electric once it hits the market later this year

Good news to all Ford fanatics! The 2011 Ford Explorer has finally obtained the 25 percent improvement in fuel economy that it promised. I guess some promises are really worth keeping and not meant to be broken as the old adage say. The 25 percent improvement in fuel economy is not just a mere claim but was confirmed by no less than the Environmental Protection Agency. Basing on the agency’s ratings, the Explorer was able to obtain an average of 17 mpg in the city and an average of 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

The front-drive-base of the 2011 Ford Explorer was made lighter and with more aerodynamic body. And that’s not all! It was also given a more efficient 292 horsepower 3.5-Liter V6 with Ti-VCT or Twin independent Variable Camshaft Timing that is mated to a 6-speed auto transmission and equipped with Blue Oval’s latest electronic power steering system. The 2011 Ford Explorer is scheduled to hit showrooms towards the end of this year.

The Blue Oval is not stopping at 25 percent, they intend to go higher up to 30 percent fuel economy with the production of a turbocharged 2.0-Liter EcoBoost four-cylinder which is due for release next year, 2011.

One of the members of the Big Three has finally succumbed to the new wave of green cars these days. In fact, it might even be the best solution to the demise that they are facing, instead of the billion-dollar bailout that each company is vying for. Ford reinvented its Ford Fusion line by throwing it to the already thriving hybrid party. This move from Ford is one good reason why there’s no way but to go fuel-efficient these days.

The Ford Fusion is will probably become the Toyota Camry’s biggest competition. That’s because it offers both gas and electric options, while being totally efficient in power overall. It’s a serious roadblock for the Camry and come 2010, you can expect a dogfight to happen when it comes to its sales.

Basically, the Ford Fusion is capable of generating as much as 155-horsepower from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Also, it has an electric drive train that has never been offered before. Made by Sanyo, its nickel-metal hydride battery offers 20 percent more power, but weighs 20 percent less. Using the Ford Fusion affords you of being able to shift from gas to battery at will. The result is an extended use of the fuel, which hasn’t been witnessed in past Ford models.

On the other hand, the best part about the Fusion is that you can go as fast as 47 mph using electric power alone. That may not be really fast if you compare it to other Ford heavyweights, but it’s certainly a groundbreaking achievement for the automaker giant. What’s more impressive is that you can get as much as 39 miles from just a gallon of gasoline. That’s something new, especially if you talk about Ford, which is known for producing massive, gas-guzzling automobiles.

Overall, it will not be surprising if the Ford Fusion starts dominating in the hybrid market by 2010. With its great looks and style, it will become Ford’s most sought after model in decades.