DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. is on a roll winning the 2010 “North American Car & Truck of the Year” Awards. Taking top honors are the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Ford Transit Connect.

Winners were announced during the North American International Auto Show at Detroit’s Cobo Center last week.

Ford’s win marks the third time in 17 years that a single automaker has won both awards, preceded by Honda in 2006 and General Motors in 2007.

Car contenders for the 2010 awards were Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf GTI/TDI. The Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback were the finalists in the truck category.

This year’s awards were chosen by a jury of 49 prominent automotive journalists who represent newspaper, magazine, television, radio and Web sites in Canada and the U.S.

Jurors pared 16 cars and 10 truck and sport utility vehicles from over 50 model year selections. To be eligible, vehicles must be “all new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model.

“Though not the first hybrid on the market, the Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers terrific mileage and looks and drives like a regular car,” says juror Csaba Csere.”

The 5-passenger 2010 Ford Fusion is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America, with a gasoline-electric hybrid system that delivers 41 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway at a base price of $27,270.

Ford Transit Connect is new to American markets. Unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, the truck is aimed at commercial operators looking for a low-price, high-mileage van to deliver their goods.

“Transit Connect is a U-Haul that fits in the garage. It holds people and much more. It defines multi-purpose and boasts a reasonable price even when you add windows and a back seat,” said Jim Mateja of the Chicago Tribune.

Cost for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect starts at $21,840.

In 2009, Hyundai Genesis sedan and Ford F-150 pickup took North American Car & Truck of the Year honors.