As the public magnifying glass zooms in on all the issues surrounding the Toyota recalls all Car manufacturers are probably getting nervous. As the amount of Toyota recalls rises, it’s becoming clear that the problem lies with the US Department of Transportation as much as anywhere else. Clearly there is a disconnect between consumer complaints and action from the government.

Hot on the heels of the Toyota Prius hybrid recalls due to brake problems, the Ford Fusion hybrid and the Milan hybrid are getting updates to their software to address a braking problem of their own.

Ford has started a repair program which will alert all known owners of Ford Fusions or Milan hybrids built before October 17, 2009. They will be directed to their nearest dealer regarding, their “Customer Satisfaction Program 10B13.”

In the meantime, the Toyota recall story continues to make headlines as it has now been revealed that Toyota has known for years that the Prius had break issues.

Stay tuned to Eco Auto Ninja for the latest on the Toyota recalls and breaking news on issues with the Ford Fusion.

In what must be a major sigh of relief for those who’ve been watching the American auto industry with concern, Ford announced today that it made $2.7 billion over the course of last year.

Ford also predicted that it would continue to be profitable in 2010 as well as the rest of the foreseeable future.

Ford primarily attributes its recent success to its massive cost cutting measures, debt reduction and the popularity of its vehicles like the environmentally-friendly Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Escape SUV.

While this is great news for the Ford Motor Company, it’s still got a ways to go to make up for four years of straight losses including 2008 when it lost $14.6 billion.

The Detroit Auto Show has announced its North American Car of the Year and the prize has gone to the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The North American Car of the Year is awarded based on an assessment by 49 journalists. One of the judges, Csaba Csere, a writer for Car & Driver, described the Ford Fusion as “simply the best one (hybrid) ever built. In addition o delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car – and a very good one indeed.”

The Ford Fusion hybrid shared the top honors with another Ford vehicle, the Transit Connect, which won the award for North American Truck of the Year.

This marked the third time in 17 years that the same automaker has won both awards.

The Ford Fusion hybrid is a mid-sized sedan which, like all hybrids, has gas and electric capabilities. The Fusion can run on electric power alone for up to 47 miles and features a 2.5-liter 155 horsepower engine to kick in when needed. A basic model cost starts at $27,270.

Ford bought a little extra advertising tonight when they gave American Idol finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen each a new 2009 Ford Fusion hybrid.

Acting on behalf of Ford, last year’s American Idol winner David Cook handed off the keys to the happy contestants.

Kris Allen was particularly grateful as he said that he really needed a new car. Well, it’s probably safe to say that Kris should be a hot enough commodity in the music business now since he will be finishing at least second in this year’s American Idol.

While the decision hasn’t been made yet, it’s generally agreed that Adam Lambert is the favorite to win it all but upsets have been known to happen so we’ll see how it goes.

You might have heard a lot of hubbub about how hybrid vehicle sales are down from last year. The economy was great in most of 2008 and gas was going for $4 a gallon. Hybrids were hot. Toyota posted a drop of 42 percent in overall sales this April from last April.

But in the cases of Ford and Honda, things have been looking up.

Despite car sales being pretty dismal this year, Ford still managed to move a record number of Fusions in April with 18,321 sold. Not considering that over 1,000 of those Ford Fusions were hybrids. Combined with sales of the Ford Escape hybrid, Ford ended up selling 2,300 hybrids in total for April, helping make for an increase in Ford hybrid sales by 21 percent over last year.

Meanwhile, Honda saw a 25 percent drop in overall sales in April from last year, but saw a surge in hybrid sales. With the new Honda Insight selling 2,096 units and the Civic Hybrid selling 3,461, Honda hybrids manage to sell 25 percent more than last April.

If you’re thinking of buying a used hybrid vehicle yourself, check out LemonFree.ca and their hybrid vehicle section.

Ford is planning on proving that the 2010 Fusion Hybrid (pictured above) is capable of averaging 57mpg with a fundraiser drive that will see it go more than 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas.

In support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation the Fusion Hybrid will be driven for 43 continuous hours using eco-driving techniques that have already seen the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid attain 70mpg in testing.

This stands out as a pretty good demonstration of not only the Fusion Hybrid but the efficacy of good eco-driving practices (unnecessarily fast acceleration we’re looking at you) all while raising money for a good cause.

The American Idol kids revealed their latest Ford commercial tonight and good news for hybrids – they were promoting the 2010 Ford Fusion Hyrbid.

Megan Joy, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Anoop, ect. all sang “Pocket Full of Sunshine” around the sexy green Ford Escape Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid. The folks over at American Idol are pushing their latest contest, the Ford Music Video Challenge, which asks viewers to answer trivia about the latest Ford Music Video for a chance to hang with the Idols, plus win your very own limited edition American Idol Fusion.

Sadly, Micheal Sarver was sent packing this week. But he’ll always have the Ford Fusion commercial! Sarver seemed fine with his elimination, saying, “I’m going on tour,” referring to the summer “American Idol” tour.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid just got a lot cheaper for potential buyers in the U.S. After being tested by the Environmental Protection Agency its miles per gallon rating of 41 in the city and 36 on the highway qualifies it for the maximum federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles.

This means that Ford Fusion Hybrid buyers will receive $3,400 in tax credits.

But if you’re thinking of joining the ranks of hybrid vehicle owners you won’t want to take too much time in getting yours. Once an car manufacturer sells 60,000 hybrids that tax credit slowly dissolves into vapor.

Ford has already hit its limit and will see its tax credit cut in half this April.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was its usual generous self last night but with a bit of a green twist. Ford donated a 2010 Fusion hybrid to the Drumm family making them among the first people in the U.S. to drive, let alone own, a new Fusion hybrid since it’s not hitting dealer’s lots until the spring.

Keeping with the environmental theme Ford also donated solar panels for the family’s house to help reduce their power bills as well as their carbon footprint.

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid boasts 41 mpg, great mileage for a mid-sized sedan. The Fusion dashboard even comes equipped with an “efficiency leaves” interactive display that grows leaves as a reward for eco-friendly driving. One can only assume that the tree grows right out the window if you leave the car parked for long enough, bu perhaps I’m hoping for too much here.