Ford Motor Company announced on June 9 that it is tripling production capacity of its complete electrified vehicle (EV) lineup by 2013—further boosting volumes of its all-new C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which will be in showrooms by fall 2012.
Production capacity is scheduled to reach more than 100,000 EVs annually by 2013.
“Customers have come to expect fuel efficiency with every new vehicle Ford delivers today, and now we are further differentiating our electrified vehicle lineup with something else people truly value – choice,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service. “Whether people want a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or full battery electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles.”
Ford is electrifying platforms – versus a single vehicle – to offer customers the most choice. Five electrified vehicles are planned for North America by 2012 – including the van-size, plug-in Transit Connect Electric, on sale now; and Focus Electric , coming this year.
Today, Ford sells approximately 35,000 EVs a year, led by the Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrid – which it calls the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan (41 MPG city /36 highway) in America and the most fuel-efficient SUV in the world (34 MPG city/31 highway), respectively.
The new Ford C-MAX five-passenger vehicle, which is the base for the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, is leaving European dealer lots at twice the rate of last year’s model. More than 100,000 of these new vehicles have been sold in Europe since its launch in late 2010, and Ford is already finding new ways to produce more European C-MAX models than originally expected at its Valencia, Spain, plant.
“European customers are snapping up our C-MAX five-passenger models, telling us they love the vehicle’s sporty appearance, driving quality, interior comfort and clever use of space,” Farley said. “We plan to be aggressive in delivering products like this that people really want and make smart decisions supporting our One Ford plan.”
This marks the first time North American customers will have the choice of a dedicated body style for a range of Ford electrified vehicles.
Both the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi models will be built alongside the all-new 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan— the first plant in the world to produce gasoline-powered vehicles, full-electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrids under one roof. The plant’s production is powered in part by one of the largest solar energy generator systems in the state.
The new green vehicle lineup also is bringing jobs to Ford and America. In total, Ford is adding more than 220 green technology jobs in Michigan, alone, as the state becomes its center of excellence for vehicle electrification.
“Ford’s commitment to grow our electrified vehicle family brings good news for our customers, employees, the economy and the environment,” Farley said.
For more information on Ford’s energy efficient vehicles, visit their website.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Juliana Kenny
