Known for favorites like Maxwell House coffee, Oreo cookies and Philadelphia cream cheese, it’s no surprise that Kraft Foods is the world’s second largest food company. And although other corporations are continuing to expand and consume at unfathomable rates, Kraft takes a unique approach in monitoring its global impact. Through a project called Better World, the company strives to improve several business areas such as packaging, energy, water and waste in order to help preserve Earth’s precious commodities. 

When it came to the issue of transportation, however, Kraft was deeply concerned about the 2,500 national sales personnel that spend countless hours on the road each year. And while Kraft had already reduced the C0₂ emissions of its U.S. sales fleet by 6.5 percent in the past two years, the company was looking to make a bigger statement. Therefore, in an effort to further reduce fuel use and emissions, Kraft Foods turned to Ford Motor Company – and fortunately, Ford had a solution. 

Although Kraft has worked with the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker for over 25 years, both sides decided it was time for a change. The main plan was to switch from six-cylinder engines to four, in order to achieve significant fuel and cost savings. Enter the 2010 Ford Fusion with a spacious interior, stylish exterior and a 34 mpg highway EPA-estimated fuel rating, it’s the perfect car for the job.

Ford Sales Analyst George Pipas notes that Kraft isn’t the only major company looking to Ford for help. “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.” Clearly, Kraft’s Sales Fleet Manager John Dmochowsky agrees, confidently declaring that the 2010 Fusion is “a good reflection on Kraft Foods.”

Voted Motor Trend’s 2010 Car of the Year, the 2010 Fusion boasts an impressive starting MSRP of only $19,695, and even comes in a 41-mpg hybrid model. Kraft’s U.S. sales fleet, however, won’t be disappointed with Fusion’s 2.5-liter Duratec inline four-cylinder engine, which Cars.com calls the ’10 Fusion’s most impressive aspect. “The 2.5-liter produces 175 hp, which makes it one of the most powerful fours on the market.”

With plenty of F-Series trucks and E-Series vans already at work with several sales teams across the country, Ford’s smaller vehicles are beginning to hit the business world in a big way. As more companies strive to improve their energy costs while also minimizing their carbon footprints, autos like the 2010 Fusion will be a hot commodity throughout the future of transportation.

For more information, visit www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-kraft-foods-to-replace-us-sales-32202.