Ford announces C-MAX hybrid and seven-seat versions

Ford has announced that its Valencia plant, in Spain, will be the responsible for the built of three variants of the C-MAX model, which is set to be launched in 2013. Ford stated that this facility will produce the first hybrid models for European customers, the C-MAX Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) version. In addition it will also build the seven-seat version of the same model to be exported to the North American market.

"The Hybrid Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric derivatives of the all-new Ford
C-MAX are great news for the Valencia plant and region, for Spain, and for Ford customers across Europe.  These new advanced technology models are key to Ford's commitment to delivering a portfolio of alternative powertrain vehicles globally and to European customers in the next few years," said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe and executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Labour Affairs.

The announcement of the HEV and PHEV C-MAX was made by Fleming in a ceremony in Valencia where he was joined by Spain's Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Señor Miguel Sebastián Gascón, and by Señor Francisco Camps Ortiz, President of the Generalitat Velenciana, the Valencia regional administration.

Fleming added, "Our Valencia Plant here in Spain will build these new C-MAX five-seat hybrid models exclusively for European customers seeking a practical, efficient and affordable environmental vehicle, while the export to North America of the new Grand C-MAX petrol model beginning in late 2011 opens a new era of production for the team at the plant."

To support the Ford C-Max programme in Spain in the next three years Ford made a total investment of more than 300 million euros, with 27 million euros expected to fund the hybrid programmes. The Spanish government and Valencia regional administration are providing the highest grant support in line with European Union requirements.

The investment in the hybrid programme is also part of a strategy of the Spanish government and Valencia’s regional administration to establish Spain and the Valencia region as important centres for advanced research and development in environmental engineering.