Ford Fusion, C-Max and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Models Getting Improved Fuel Economy This Summer

Ford’sFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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expansion into the hybrid vehicle market has been a complete success and is growing. In just the past year, its market share of the hybrid market has increased to 16%, a 12% improvement. In the same period, Toyota’sToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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hybrid market share has fallen 8%. From January to June, Ford has sold 46,197 electrified cars, a 400% increase from the first six months of last year.

Ford will have fuel economy upgrades for its 2013 hybrid cars. It is also hiring more hybrid engineers and increasing investment into hybrid research.

“Strong consumer acceptance of Ford hybrids shows that our plan to lead in fuel economy across our lineup is working,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development.

Starting in August, the C-Max HybridFord C-MAX Gen.2United Kingdom, 2010 > present103 versions
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, FusionFord Fusion Gen.2United States of America, 2012 > present30 versions
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Hybrid and MKZ HybridLincoln MKZ HybridUnited States of America, 2013 > present3 photos
will get updated ECUs to improve fuel economy. The changes affect the way that the system activates on the highway and uses the climate control system. It increases the speed at which the hybrid system will work up to 85mph from 62mph previously; the active grill shutters activate more often; and it reduces the use of the electric cooling fan.

“Just as individual mileage can vary based on driving styles and environmental conditions, we expect fuel economy improvements will differ from customer to customer depending on individual driving habits,” said Nair.

Ford is growing its electrification engineering team to 500 workers and investing $50 million in electrified research. Part of that money will install 80 new battery-testing machines by the end of the year.