DEARBORN - As the prices at the pump continue to rise customers are demanding products with leading fuel efficiency, and they are rating Ford highly for delivering, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study.

APEAL surveys customers on what they like about the performance, execution and layout of their new vehicle after the first three months in service.

“Customers are falling in love with Ford vehicles at first sight and growing even fonder of them over time,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers increasingly are saying our fuel efficiency leadership is a reason to buy a Ford vehicle.”

Here are some quick bullets regarding the APEAL and Ford's success:

• Ford's newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment average
• Fiesta and F-150 were first place segment winners
• Taurus and Flex received second in their segments
• Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Expedition and Mustang scored third-place segment ratings
• Ford F-150 is the only large pickup to receive an award for both Initial Quality and APEAL in 2011
• Ford has 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel efficiency – including four vehicles with EPA-certified 40 mpg or higher ratings – a claim no other full-line automaker can match