Ford's on fire

And not the way they were forty years ago when Pintos were exploding on highways and byways across the country.

In the category that matters most when it comes to volume in the U.S. Ford has laid down the gauntlet at this year's North American International Auto Show with the 2013 Fusion.

Not content to have Hyundai be the style leader in the category, they've updated the shape with a style that appears to be both contemporary and timeless without being generic.

Not content to have Toyota be the green leader in the category, they've updated their hybrid to reach 47 mpg city and added an electric model with a range extending gas motor that gets the equivalent of 100 mpg.

Not content to just offer something for the ecoheads, there's an available 2.0 liter engine that makes nearly 240 hp and can be had with all-wheel drive.

Last year when I bought my Audi, the Fusion was a very close second. With the new styling, engine options and other updates, it goes right to the top of my list when I start shopping again next year.