Ford electrifies NAIAS

For the 2011 North American International Auto Show Ford has opted to present its family of electrified vehicles. Ford will debut the C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid that will be joining the Focus Electric at the brand’s stand in Detroit.

The C-MAX Energi and Hybrid are new models that will be expanding Ford’s electrified vehicle portfolio, as part of the company’s sustainability strategy. With the fuel-free, all-electric rechargeable Focus Electric passenger car arriving in North America in late 2011 and in Europe in 2012, the American brand is presenting at NAIAS its first ever plug-in hybrid production electric vehicle, the C-MAX Energi, that will in the markets in 2012.

The C-MAX Hybrid is a next-generation full hybrid version of the five-passenger multi-activity vehicle.

“By providing a variety of electrified vehicles, we are making it easier for our customers to embrace this fuel-saving technology,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “This strategy is true to our heritage of making innovative technology available to as many people as possible and to our vision of developing great products, building a strong business and contributing to a better world.”

All three models are developed from Ford’s global C-car platform and will be produced at the company’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.

“Ford’s plan to deliver a full range of exciting, energy-efficient vehicles is on track and fully charged,” said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s electrification programs and engineering. “Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid demonstrate Ford’s commitment to delivering significant fuel economy gains and reduced CO2 emissions to meet our customers’ functional needs without compromising their driving enjoyment.”

Based on the all-new Ford Focus, the Focus Electric is expected to offer a sufficient range for daily car usage and a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles. The Focus Electric will take half the time of a Nissan Leaf to fully charge.

The C-MAX Energi is aiming to reach a range of more than 500 miles using the battery and engine. Based on the new Ford C-MAX five-passenger multi-activity vehicle, the plug-in hybrid model should deliver better charge-sustaining fuel economy than the Chevrolet Volt.

Finally, the full hybrid variant of C-MAX’s goal is to deliver better fuel economy than Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient sedan in America. The next generation hybrid vehicle features the company’s powersplit hybrid architecture and uses a lighter, smaller lithium-ion battery system.