The Ford Motor Company received some good news lately in the form of the fuel economy ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. Both cars are projected to return 41 mpg around town and 36 mpg on the highway, numbers that put these cars at the head of the class.Ford had expected that the Fusion/Milan would get 38 perhaps 39 mpg, but when the EPA tests were completed, they were awarded the higher the number. These numbers stand in stark contrast to the Fusion’s nemesis, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which gets 33 mpg around town and 34 mpg on the highway. Toyota took the hybrid leadership role from Honda a few years back, but now it appears that Ford is making its own case with its two models.

The 2010 models represent the second generation for the popular mid-sized cars which, along with the Lincoln MKZ, have helped ease Ford’s losses somewhat this year. With the new models expected to hit showrooms in Spring 2009, Ford will have the most fuel efficient mid-sized cars on the market. Indeed, the hybrid models even manage to top the compact Honda Civic Hybrid by one mpg, an amazing feat at that.

Along with the Fusion, Milan and the MKZ, Ford is in the process of releasing a dizzying array of new models.

This past fall, Ford rolled out the next generation is in it highly popular F-Series pickup trucks, delaying their introduction by a few months in hopes that gas prices would stabilize. Better than expected, gas prices have plunged and demand for the pickup truck has surged to the point where the automaker added a second shift to their Kansas City truck assembly plant.

Also coming this Spring is the next generation Mustang, a car that has fallen on hard times lately, but should rebound as buyers seek the latest iteration of the popular pony car. This summer, an all new full sized Ford Taurus and Mercury Montego will debut and those cars will be joined by the Lincoln MKT, a luxury crossover model.

New technologies, including EcoBoost is on its way, an engine configuration that will allow powerplants to put out more power without sacrificing fuel economy. By early 2010, the first of several smaller cars including the all new Fiesta will be on sale, giving Ford more new models in an eighteen month period than any other manufacturer.

Clearly, Ford is on a role. Thanks to the EPA, the Fusion and Milan now have world class fuel numbers to sport too.