Garmin is still the leader in global portable satellite navigation, a position they strengthened this week by inking a deal with Ford Europe to fully integrate the Garmin Nuvi 760 into several Ford vehicles.

Several electronics sites report the 4.3-inch widescreen Nuvi 760 will be mounted in the European Focus, C-Max, Kuga Transit and Transit Connect, as well as Ford's new Fiesta, set to sell in Europe this summer.

The Fiesta will arrive on U.S. shores in 2009, and is reputed to get a combined 38.9 mpg with its four-cylinder engine.

When reporting on the Garmin/Ford deal, TMCnet writes, "This partnership enables Ford owners to mount a standard nuvi directly to the interior trim, near the driver's wing mirror rather than to the windshield via a traditional suction cup mount."

Traffic Technology Today quotes Ford project manager Wolfgang Kohler saying, "Ford wanted to offer their customers a quality navigation experience and out partnership with Garmin led us to choose the nuvi 760. … Our premium version of the mount includes a traffic receiver, which will allow Ford customers to avoid traffic and save on journey times."

In March 2007, Ford agreed to sell rebranded Nuvi units in their U.S. dealerships. According to GPS Business News, Garmin also has partnerships with several U.S. auto companies, and its European presence is felt in Volvo Cars, BMW, MINI, Mercedes Benz, Suzuki, Honda and Land Rover. The company has also paired with Chipotle to sponsor a team in this year's Tour de France (and their team is doing well).

The Nuvi 760 features 2D and 3D maps, Bluetooth integration, an MP3 player, JPEG picture viewer and an FM traffic receiver.

Get some tips on picking out your own Garmin Nuvi from our GPS Shopping Guide.