Ford Expedition and Ford Everest receive honors at 2009 Car of the Year Awards

MANILA, Philippines - Ford Group Philippines was recognized by the Car Awards Group Inc. at the recently concluded 2009 Car of the Year Awards as two of its vehicles won best in class for their respective categories. At the annual awards show, Ford Everest 4x4 was named Best Mid-size 4x4 SUV while Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer EL was chosen as the Best Luxury SUV for 2009.

“We are honored to receive these titles for the Ford Everest and Ford Expedition. Once again, these are affirming testimonies of the best-in-class performance of our world-class vehicles,” says Ford Group Philippines President Rick Baker. “The recognition echoes the robust performance for both vehicles, being two of our most popular nameplates launched this year.”

Introduced to the public last June, the new 2009 Ford Everest 4x4 LTD boasts of a 3.0L DuraTorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine to deliver best-in-class torque for outstanding performance feel, even when the going gets tough. Accompanied by a 5-Speed 4x4 automatic with electronic shift-on-the-fly, unmatched off-road capability, excellent ground clearance and river-fording ability the vehicle is complemented by new design elements that enhance the Everest’s image of dominant toughness.

The 2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer EL on the other hand, rolled into Ford showrooms nationwide last February with an additional 14.8 inches in overall length that provides an additional 24 cubic feet of cargo space. It also features an E85-capable, 300-hp engine, and is equipped with Ford’s award-winning SYNC connectivity technology. With accompanying top-of-the-line luxury standard equipment, the full-size SUV includes a reverse-gear camera, SOS post crash alert, Easy Fuel™ capless fuel system, and rain sensing wipers.

The Ford Everest 4x4 and Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer EL were among dozens of vehicles tested in a span of six weekends at the Ortigas Home Depot and DMF Drift Tracks in Libis, Quezon City. Both qualitative testing and technical testing was conducted to ensure cars were measured in every imaginable aspect.

The Ford Everest 4x4 and Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer EL are available for test drives at Ford dealerships nationwide. In Metro Manila, Ford can be found in Alabang, Balintawak, Commonwealth, EDSA, Libis, Makati, Manila, Quezon Avenue and Shaw Boulevard. In the provinces, Ford dealerships are located in Bacolod, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, Pampanga and San Pablo.