DEARBORN, Mich. - Kraft Foods, the world's second-largest food company, will take delivery of 2,500 2010 Ford Fusions for its national sales staff.

Kraft Foods has worked with Ford to meet its sales fleet vehicle needs for more than 25 years. After conducting a thorough lifecycle cost analysis of dozens of vehicles from various manufacturers, the company decided on the Fusion for its U.S. sales fleet.

The 2010 Ford Fusion will help Kraft Foods reduce fuel use and C0₂ emissions.

"Transportation and distribution is one of six sustainability focus areas at Kraft Foods," said John Dmochowsky, sales fleet manager, Kraft Foods. "The company has realized substantial fuel and cost savings over the last several years by switching from six- to four-cylinder engines."

Dmochowsky says one of the goals with its sales fleet program is to reduce fuel use and C0₂ emissions. Over the past two years, Kraft Food's U.S. sales fleet has reduced its C0₂ emissions by 6.5 percent.

"It comes down to total cost of ownership and the right vehicle for the job, and we hit both elements with the Ford Fusion," he said. "In addition to being fuel efficient, the Fusion has a comfortable, spacious interior and an attractive design. It's a good reflection on Kraft Foods."

That careful attention to all aspects of a fleet vehicle is drawing more companies like Kraft Foods to Ford, according to Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas.

"Fleet customers are giving Ford more consideration because they're watching their costs carefully, and they know that our residual values, fuel economy and quality have improved significantly," said Pipas. "The projected resale value of Ford vehicles from the 2009 to 2010 model year increased by more than $1,300 per vehicle - that's more than any other full-line manufacturer."

For Ford, the strength and breadth of the company's current product lineup is growing its share of the national fleet market. Ford's fleet share through December 2009 was 24.8 percent - a 1.9-point increase over the same period in 2008 - and the company's share of commercial and government fleets was the highest of any vehicle manufacturer, with F-Series trucks, E-Series vans, Focus, Fusion and Escape as top sellers.