Ford Motor Company has improved in fuel economy more than any other major automaker since 2004, according to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA rated Ford's combined car and truck fuel economy improvement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.

2010 Ford Fusion. Source: Ford Motor Co.

As an example of this increase, Ford notes that the fuel efficiency of the 2010 Ford Fusion improved 21% over the 2009 model, jumping from 28 mpg to 34 mpg in highway driving. Powertrain improvements were a big difference maker in this improvement -- Fusion and other new models benefit from the introduction of Ford's new six-speed transmission, which offers a wider gear span than four-speed transmissions.

The six-speed allowed Ford's engineers the flexibility to tune the powertrain for greater responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller gears. The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute up to 4% fuel economy improvement. Ford says it is committed to having almost 100% of its transmissions be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013. - News - David Greenfield -- Control Engineering, 1/4/2010 read more