Along the top is a sort of status bar, showing the outdoor temperature, a simple representation of the battery life for the car, the name of the currently loaded driver profile, a signal strength indicator for the integrated 3G modem and a tiny clock.

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Unlike the signals on its vehicles in the U.S., this indicator flashes three times at the driver's touch and then shuts off.

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Economists pay close attention to the data, though, for their use as an indicator of consumer spending, the key driver of U.S. economic growth.

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Ford's outfitted the Fusion Energi with a dizzying array of driver-assist tech, including a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, driver alert system, active park assist, rear camera, blind-spot indicator system with cross-traffic alert and pull-drift compensation (phew).

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While people who regularly speed are three times as likely to be involved in an accident (according to the Police Driver's Handbook), ignoring the speed limit may also be an indicator of a predisposition for other "anti-social" activities.

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