Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid Deliver Leading Fuel Economy Plus Range, Flexibility

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Ford’s two new hybrid vehicles, the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, are projected to set a new benchmark for fuel economy when they go on sale next year.

 

The C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver a better fuel economy equivalent in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid with a 500-mile overall driving range, more than Chevrolet Volt. The new C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to achieve better fuel economy than Toyota Prius v.

 

Both vehicles feature the next generation of Ford’s acclaimed powersplit technology that will allow operation in electric mode at higher speeds than any other hybrid.

 

“C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota,” said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s Electrification Programs and Engineering.

 

The C-MAX hybrids headline Ford’s transformed lineup, one-third of which will feature a model with 40 mpg or more in 2012, building on the company’s commitment to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the Power of Choice.

 

Ford’s near-term electrification plan calls for the company to triple production capacity of its electrified vehicle range by 2013. The C-MAX vehicles will be built on the company’s global C-segment platform and are two of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to launch in North America in 2012.

 

Scheduled to start hitting showroom floors in the second half of 2012, the C-MAX hybrids will be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., with production powered in part by one of the largest solar energy generator systems in the state.

 

More hybrid innovations

Ford holds approximately 500 patents that cover technologies in its electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles like C-MAX Energi in addition to several hundred patent-pending applications.

 

With 20 years of Ford research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving them, the C-MAX vehicles also offer a proven design and nameplate with more than 100,000 sold in Europe since it launched in late 2010.

 

The C-MAX hybrids will be the company’s first dedicated hybrid vehicle line and the first MAV (multi-activity vehicle) line in North America.

 

“The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi are designed to meet the needs of customers looking to ‘plus-up’ and optimize their hybrid car experience,” said Amy Machesney, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi Marketing manager. “These customers are living more environmentally responsible lives and may have bought a hybrid in the past. They are now ready for more hybrid choice, combined with style, better performance and additional versatility.”

 

Fuel efficiency, range and power

C-MAX Hybrid is projected to deliver class-leading fuel economy and beat the Toyota Prius v in both city and highway equivalent miles per gallon.

 

C-MAX Energi is projected to deliver better fuel economy in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and is projected to achieve more than 500 miles of overall driving range.

 

The C-MAX line hits impressive fuel efficiency and range figures without sacrificing driving performance.

 

“With C-MAX, you get road-holding capability, sportiness and performance in addition to leading fuel economy, great versatility, great features and great technology in a package designed to exceed customer expectations,” said John Davis, C-MAX chief nameplate engineer.

 

Technology

The C-MAX line features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate that allows quick and easy access to the cargo area without ever needing to fumble for keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s OK to engage. The same motion can be used to close the liftgate.

 

The vehicles also feature the newest version of SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® to help inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers – with an emphasis on increasing fuel economy.

 

This feature offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control their phone, navigation, entertainment and climate functions through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs. In C-MAX Energi, the system offers additional information such as battery state of charge and distance to the next charge point.

 

The C-MAX also offers the next generation of SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on the left cluster to help drivers more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

 

In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency. The left cluster shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the regenerative braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques.

 

Available for C-MAX Energi is the MyFord^® Mobile smartphone application that allows users to monitor charging, receive alerts, find charge stations, plan trips and do more from their smartphones or computers for an effortless transition to an electrified vehicle lifestyle.

 

Other available technology features on C-MAX include active park assist, push-button start, AM/FM/CD/MP3 Sony^® Audio, HD Radio^™ and voice-activated Navigation System.

 

Versatility

As Ford’s first North American MAVs, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi provide customers with plenty of interior versatility and flexibility along with the urban maneuverability of a smaller vehicle.

 

The C-MAX line features a high roof design that gives each vehicle an overall height of 64 inches along with a higher command-style seat position instead of a cockpit-type. It also features five-passenger seating that includes a split, fold-flat second-row seat.

 

C-MAX Hybrid provides 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.9 cubic feet behind the second row. In C-MAX Energi, there is 43.3 cubic feet behind the first row and 19.1 cubic feet behind the second row.

 

Quality and ingenuity

Although Ford’s C-MAX vehicles are new, the software and hardware technology going in them has been evolving for nearly two decades.

 

The C-MAX line also benefits from analysis of more than 500,000 miles of data collected from Ford’s Escape plug-in hybrid test fleet, which helped engineers understand how plug-in hybrid vehicles are driven and charged and how parts perform under certain conditions.

 

“The result is a stunningly efficient system that has been entirely developed by Ford in-house,” said Marakby. “That’s crucial because it allows for development of one highly efficient system as opposed to integrating pieces of software and hardware made by different parties with hope that it will not only function properly but also efficiently.”

 

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi get their power through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi use the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

 

The electric motors of the C-MAX hybrids are powered by advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery systems designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford’s critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.

 

Li-ion battery packs are more efficient than nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. They also are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries used in today’s first-generation hybrid vehicles.

 

C-MAX hybrids offer Ford’s next-generation powersplit architecture that allows the electric motor and gasoline-powered engine to work together or separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions and work with the engine at higher speeds.

 

In the C-MAX Hybrid, the li-ion battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. Further, the regenerative braking system recaptures more than 95 percent of the braking energy that would otherwise be lost, and is able to use that power to help charge the battery. C-MAX Hybrid requires no plug-in charging.

 

C-MAX Energi is charged by connecting the vehicle’s external charge port to either a standard 120-volt outlet or available 240-volt charging station.

 

Safety

The C-MAX hybrids offer standard safety technologies such as the MyKey^® teen safety feature, SYNC 911 Assist^™ and seven airbags. SYNC 911 Assist uses hands-free phone capabilities to connect the driver directly with a local 911 operator through the paired phone should an accident occur in which an airbag deploys.

 

The next-generation MyKey features now allow parents to choose from multiple top speed limits and blocking of explicit satellite radio programming. MyKey also provides a persistent audible warning if front occupants are not wearing seat belts.

 

The C-MAX hybrids also feature standard safety and driver-assist technologies, including Curve Control that is designed to slow the vehicle when it’s cornering too fast and Torque Vectoring Control to help accelerate through a turn when necessary. AdvanceTrac^® with Roll Stability Control^™ (RSC) and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) also are standard.

FORD EUROPEAN SALES GAINS CONTINUE WITH BEST JULY AND YEAR-TO-DATE MARKET SHARE IN 10 YEARS

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Ford, the No. 2 best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe, increased its market share for the seventh consecutive time last month, resulting in the company’s best July and year-to-date market share performance since 1999.

Ford of Europe had 9 percent market share in its main 19 European markets, up 0.6 percentage points from July 2008. Ford’s share for the first seven months of 2009 was 9.1 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the same period a year ago.

In total, Ford sold 125,200 new vehicles in its main 19 European markets in July, up 5 percent, making it the second month in a row this year that Ford has posted a sales increase from the prior year period. Ford’s 5 percent volume increase contrasts to a 1.5 percent industry decline in the same month.

“As we are moving into the second half of the year, we are encouraged to see Ford at a 10-year high market share for July and, as a result of this, firmly established as Europe's second best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe,” said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe’s vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service.

The sales success was driven by strong customer demand for the latest Ford products across the line-up, including the Fiesta, new Ka, and best-selling Focus. The company’s product portfolio allowed it to improve market share in 13 of its main 19 European markets. The improving European results follows news of positive sales performance in other key Ford markets around the world in July, including China, the U.S. and Canada.

In the first seven months of 2009, Ford of Europe registered 871,400 vehicles in its 19 main markets, down 7.3 percent over the same period in 2008. This compares with a total industry decline of 12.2 percent in that period.

“We're also pleased to have increased sales volume for the second consecutive month, while the industry is still declining,” said Sviggum. “The industry figures show, however, that despite the positive impact of various national vehicle scrappage schemes, the overall trend is still negative and the underlying market weak.”

Sviggum added: “We strongly believe that these incentive schemes should continue for as long as practically possible, and then be phased out in an orderly manner to avoid any dramatic reduction in market demand that could damage the still fragile improvement we have seen in recent months.”

July Market and Model Sales Highlights:
Markets:

• Ford was market leader in the U.K., Ireland and Hungary; in Hungary, share was at 17.8, up by 7.8 ppts. on the same period 2008, the highest share since 1994.
• Ford’s sales volume in Germany increased by 45 percent (while industry grew 24 percent) in July, and the company had its highest monthly share there since June 2004.
• Similarly, Ford Austria’s July sales were up by 45 percent, to a record high for the month of July since 1994.
• Ford continues to be the leading imported brand in Italy, with volume up by 35 percent, despite the Italian industry being up by only 3 percent in July.
• Sixty-one percent of Ford passenger cars sold went to retail customers in the Euro 19 markets, up from 47 percent in July 2008.
• Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 13 of 19 European markets.

Models:

• Ford of Europe’s three top-selling vehicles (19 main markets) were the Fiesta (39,900), the Focus (28,700), and new Ka (10,500).
• In Germany, the Fiesta became segment leader in July, the first time since the vehicle’s market entry there in October 2008.
• In the U.K., where Fiesta sales were up by over 26 percent vs. the same month 2008, Fiesta remained the industry’s best-selling vehicle.
• In June, Fiesta was both Europe's second best-selling car and the leader in the small car segment.
• In July, 39,900 Fiestas were delivered to customers in Europe -- 14,500 units more than the previous Fiesta model sold in July 2008.
• New Ford Ka continues to be a success in the market despite the economic downturn. Ford sold 10,500 units in July (up 7,500 on July last year).
• Ford Focus remained No. 2 best-selling vehicle across the industry in the U.K., behind the Fiesta.
• The Ford C-MAX was the best-selling foreign vehicle in its segment in France.
• Transit had its best July performance since 2003 (Euro 19 markets).

July Year-To-Date Market and Model Highlights
Markets:

• Market leader in the U.K., Ireland and Hungary.
• Italy (share up by 2.0 ppts. to 9.7 percent) and the UK (up by 1.5 ppts. to 17.9 percent share) had the highest share gains in the five largest markets in the first seven months of 2009.
• Year-to-date sales volume increased by 37 percent in Germany (vs. an increase of 21.3 percent for the industry).
• Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 12 of its Euro19 markets.

Models:

• The three best-selling vehicles in the first seven months of 2009 were the newFiesta (277,700), Focus (183,600) and Transit (70,300).
• In the first seven months of 2009, Fiesta sales were up 75,000 over the sameperiod in 2008. Approximately 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn. Seventy-four percent of all Fiestas sold year-to-date were to retail customers (Euro19 markets).
• 62,300 Ford Ka vehicles were delivered to Ford customers this year. Eighty percent of all Ka sales (Euro 19 markets) year-to-date were to retail customers.
• The Ford C-MAX was leading its segment in Italy, as was the Focus Wagon.
• Ford S-MAX, Focus and Mondeo were among the top three sellers in their segments in Spain for the first seven months of 2009.
• Kuga saw highest sales growth in the compact SUV segment year-to-date in Spain.
• Focus was best-selling industry vehicle in the first seven months in Hungary in 2009.

FORD CONFIRMS SAARLOUIS AS THE SINGLE SOURCE FOR THE ALL-NEW FORD FOCUS; NEXT-GENERATION FORD C-MAX TO BE SINGLE SOURCED FROM VALENCIA

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Ford of Europe today confirmed it has decided to single source European production of its all-new Ford Focus, which will be launched in 2010, from its Saarlouis Plant in Germany. The next-generation Ford C-MAX, which goes into production in 2010, will be single sourced from Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain for all European markets and potentially for markets outside Europe.

"We announced last March that Saarlouis would be the lead plant for the next-generation Ford Focus – just as it is for the current Ford Focus – but also we said we were looking at a possible opportunity for a second production plant for a derivative of the vehicle," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO.

"Since then, we have continued to evaluate this possibility. We have however concluded that – in line with our global manufacturing strategy with its emphasis on maximizing investment efficiency and utilization of our manufacturing capacity and flexibility – we will single source the next-generation Ford Focus from Saarlouis and single source the all-new Ford C-MAX from Valencia. We can also confirm that Valencia will supply the needs of the European market and potentially markets outside Europe as well."

In March of this year, Ford announced a range of further actions intended to bring its capacity in line with the industry-wide, declining demand and sales. The company adjusted its sourcing plans to meet future business needs, given that demand is unlikely to improve significantly in the European market for some considerable time.

"Our objective is to return to sustainable profitability as soon as we can," said Mr. Fleming. "We've already shown that we will make the necessary decisions and do whatever is required to ensure that Ford of Europe emerges from the downturn as a leaner and stronger company, ready to take on the opportunities presented once the economic situation finally improves."

NEW FIESTA BOOSTS FORD OF EUROPE MARKET SHARE

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• Fiesta best-selling Ford car year-to-date across Europe's main 19 markets (Euro 19)

• 117,000 new Fiestas sold since global debut in late 2008

• Ford increased February market share (in Euro 19) by 0.8 percentage points to 8.5 per cent vs. the same month in 2008

• Year-to-date blue oval market share up in 15 out of 19 European markets

• Ford has consolidated its position as Europe's number two best-selling brand

COLOGNE, March 12, 2009 – Ford of Europe increased its market share in February across the company's 19 main markets (Euro 19) by 0.8 percentage points to 8.5 per cent versus the same month last year.

While overall industry Euro 19 sales declined by 20.1 per cent, Ford sales in February were down by 14.2 per cent, or 15,000 units, compared to the same month in 2008.

Ford of Europe sold 91,100 vehicles in its Euro 19 markets in February, including 27,900 new Fiestas, making it the best-selling Ford car again this month, and the second-best selling car in the industry.

Already this year 56,200 Fiestas have been delivered to European customers and since the market launch started in August 2008, sales of new Fiesta have totaled 117,000.

"We're excited, but not surprised, to see the new Fiesta doing so well in the market place given the current economic conditions," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice-president marketing, sales and service, Ford of Europe.

"There are a number of bright spots for us this month, particularly Germany where Ford sales are up by 21,000 vehicles, or 43.7 per cent, versus last February, thanks in no small part to the scrappage scheme which is proving extremely popular and generating a lot of additional showroom traffic. However the underlying trend we face is still one of an overall sales decline across the industry as a whole. We will continue to do all that it takes to stay competitive and protect the flow of our exciting new products," he added.

February market share up in 15 out of 19 markets
Ford of Europe sold 91,100 vehicles across the Euro 19 markets in February 2009. Ford's share rose in 15 out of those 19. Only Ireland, Norway, Portugal and Spain were down in February.

Top selling Ford models in the 19 main European markets were the new Fiesta (27,900), the Focus (20,800), and Transit (7,100).

Boosted by the scrappage scheme, the German market bucked the general trend and Ford of Germany sold 21,000 vehicles, up by 43.7 per cent or 6,400 on February 2008, making it the company's best-performing market by sales in Europe for February.

In Britain, where market share rose by 1.1 per cent to 17.6 per cent, the Fiesta was the best-selling car for the fourth consecutive month and in Italy, Ford was the leading import brand and the Fiesta was the best-selling imported car.

In France, the Fiesta, C-MAX and S-MAX were the best-selling imported vehicles in their segments.

Across all its 51 European markets, Ford sold 107,800 vehicles in February 2009, down 18.5 per cent or 24,400, when compared to the same month last year.

Ford of Europe’s sales in the first two months of 2009
In the first two months of the year, Ford of Germany sold 36,500 vehicles, up by 29.5 per cent year-over-year, or 8,300, making it the largest sales market in Europe for Ford so far in 2009. Market share there was at 7.6 per cent, up by 1.9 percentage points when compared to the same period last year. German industry year-to-date was up 2,100 or 0.4 percentage points on 2009.

In complete contrast to Germany, the industry in the UK was down by 32.2 per cent (-89,400). Ford of Britain sold 35,500 vehicles, down 12,400 or 25.9 per cent. However, Ford's market share in Britain continues to rise and for the first two months of the year increased by 1.2 percentage points to 18.5 per cent.

Year-to-date market share in France increased by 0.5 percentage points to 5.7 per cent, with sales at 21,500, a reduction of 2,600 on the same period in 2008.

In Spain, Ford remained passenger car leader in the first two months of 2009 with sales of 12,500 (- 15,000) and a market share of 8.9 per cent. The Spanish market remains one of the most depressed in Europe, with sales falling more than 50 per cent versus last year.

Ford Italy sold 34,600 vehicles over this period (- 8,200) and market share rose by 1.2 percentage points to 9.6 per cent. Fiesta rose from third to second place in the list of best-selling vehicles in Italy.

In Russia, sales of 17,800 (-5,800) enabled Ford's market share in the first months of the year to rise by 1.6 percentage points to 7.3 per cent.