Ford C-MAX Is the Fastest-Selling Hybrid Ever at Launch

Ford C-MAX has become the fastest-selling hybrid ever at launch, with 8,030 units sold in its first two months of sales in October and November, outpacing Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 7,300 sales in its first two full months in May and June 2006

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid are selling three times faster than the combined launch sales of Toyota Prius and Honda Insight in 2000

Ford achieved its best electrified vehicle sales month ever in November with 7,157 units sold, with C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid outselling Prius v and Prius Plug-in combined by nearly 10 percent

Ford is projecting an all-time record quarter for hybrid sales at December close, with more than half of hybrid sales this year expected to come in the fourth quarter

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 17, 2012 – Ford’s all-new C-MAX has become the fastest-selling hybrid ever at launch, with 8,030 sales in its first two full months on the market in October and November. This significantly outpaces Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 7,300 sales in its first two full months in May and June 2006.

C-MAX hybrids also are selling three times faster than the combined sales for the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight when launched in 2000.

Ford sold 8,999 C-MAX hybrids through November, a figure projected to surpass by 40 percent through December the combined Prius and Insight launch sales of 9,350 in 2000. C-MAX sales would represent four months compared to the initial combined 18 months of Prius and Insight sales.

“Dealers are seeing an overwhelmingly positive response to C-MAX hybrids and are excited to finally take on Prius, with some offering comparison test drives right on their lots,” says C.J. O’Donnell, group marketing manager, Electrification. “Our customers also are excited to have a fresh hybrid option, with leading fuel economy that does not sacrifice driving fun, performance and technology – choices typically not offered with hybrids.”

Ford achieved its best electrified vehicle sales month ever in November with a total of 7,157 sales, with C-MAX hybrids acting as the driving force behind the milestone. Ford is projecting an all-time record quarter for hybrid sales at December close. More than half of Ford’s hybrid sales this year are expected to come in the final quarter of the year as the company continues to ramp up production of Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

C-MAX hybrid sales totaled 4,848 in November, up 52 percent month-over-month. November marked the first month both C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid were available on dealer lots.

Fuel economy, hybrid demand grows

New vehicle buyers across the industry rate good fuel economy as the No. 1 purchase reason according to Ford research conducted by Maritz.

Consumer adoption of hybrid technologies has slowly grown over the last several years, but research shows 60 percent of today’s buyers are considering hybrid vehicles. And, for the first time ever, electrified vehicle sales captured nearly 4 percent of the total industry in November.

“Fuel economy has become the No. 1 purchase consideration as customers try to save money at the pump,” says O’Donnell. “C-MAX hybrids highlight Ford’s commitment to offer customers the power to choose leading fuel economy across our lineup.”

With the highest conquest rate in the Ford lineup at 64 percent, C-MAX hybrids continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand. Toyota Prius is the No. 1 competitive trade-in, followed by Honda CR-V – demonstrating early appeal with both hybrid buyers as well as more mainstream customers.

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid comprise Ford’s first-ever dedicated hybrid range. C-MAX hybrids headline Ford’s transformed lineup, which features eight models with 40 mpg or more, building on the company’s commitment to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the power of choice.

2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty Raises the Bar with Best-in-Class Towing and Payload Benchmarks

•Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks again raise the bar, setting new best-in-class industry benchmarks for heavy-duty pickup towing and payload capacities

•Super Duty brake system improvements enable higher payload figures, delivering a robust, confidence-inspiring brake pedal feel for customers
•A larger parking brake also contributes to increased payload capacity for 2013 F-Series Super Duty pickups

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 19, 2012 – Ford continues to strengthen the F-Series lineup for 2013, raising the bar for Super Duty towing, hauling and braking to again set the standard among heavy-duty trucks.
“Super Duty pickups and chassis cabs are the segment benchmarks, chosen by tradesmen more than any other heavy-duty truck to get the job done,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “To help our customers continue to become more productive and efficient, we’ve increased our towing and payload capability yet again.”

Best-in-class towing and payload
F-Series Super Duty trucks are engineered to meet the demands of the toughest customers. With their needs in mind, Ford engineers have raised conventional towing capacity to a class-leading 18,500 pounds, besting the nearest competitor by 500 pounds.

Increased towing brawn goes hand-in-hand with improved payload capability to a class-leading 7,260 pounds.

Improved brakesF-Series Super Duty’s best-in-class payload numbers are supported by an improved brake system that delivers increased capability and usability.

Braking engineers increased brake rotor swept area by 16.4 percent in front and 14.5 percent in the rear for maximum braking to help dissipate heat, especially on long downhill grades.

These changes support a 700-pound increase in the maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to a best-in-class 14,000 pounds. Improved brake pads and a retuned booster enable enhanced pedal brake feel to increase driver confidence.

“We’ve really improved brake feel,” said Michael Watkins, brake system engineer. “There’s refined modulation in the pedal – you really feel the stopping power. With a full load of cargo, drivers will notice strong, confidence-inspiring brakes.”

A larger parking brake for F-250 and F-350 models also allowed an increase in maximum payload rating.

Available adjustable pedals also enhance customer comfort by personalizing the interface between driver and brake system.

All-new F-Series Super Duty Platinum
Other changes for 2013 include the introduction of the all-new Platinum series model and the availability of SYNC® with MyFord Touch®.

The Platinum series makes a bold statement with a grille that features a satin chrome surround highlighted by perforated mesh inside, plus other special exterior upgrades. The interior showcases luxury in the form of premium wood grain appliqués, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and other high-end luxury touches.

The 2013 F-Series Super Duty builds on the foundation of SYNC with MyFord Touch, which is available for the first time. A new 8-inch, high-resolution touch screen display gives drivers easy access to phone, climate control, entertainment and navigation features, along with a dramatically expanded voice control vocabulary.

The 8-inch display screen also provides a large, clear view behind the truck when in reverse to help drivers maneuver in tight spaces or line up conventional trailers with the truck’s hitch.

Unique to Ford F-Series, the physical interface for MyFord Touch has been optimized to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves by providing easy access to climate controls and audio presets on the center stack.

Expect more
Leadership is expected of F-Series, which has been the best-selling truck in the U.S. for 35 straight years.

Historically, best-in-class towing and payload capability and legendary Built Ford Tough durability have driven F-Series customer loyalty. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel and 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engines – with class-leading fuel economy – give Ford customers even more reasons to stay loyal in the years ahead.

Warriors in Pink Debuts Breast Cancer Survivor Documentary, Ford Continues 18-Year Commitment to Raise Awareness

•Ford Warriors in Pink® has produced its first documentary, “Bang the Drum: Living Out Loud in the Face of Breast Cancer,” available for viewing at www.fordcares.com

•The film features the personal stories of Ford’s Models of Courage, 11 extraordinary women and men from around the U.S. who are breast cancer survivors
•The emotionally powerful piece showcases Warriors in Pink’s commitment to the fight against breast cancer, and the evolution of the program since its inception 18 years ago

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 1, 2012 – Ford Warriors in Pink®, the Ford Motor Company program that raises awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer, reveals its first-ever documentary with hopes to create a powerful and inspiring resource to all who have been touched by the disease. The short documentary, “Bang the Drum: Living Out Loud in the Face of Breast Cancer,” gives the Models of Courage a platform to showcase their inspiring stories continuing Ford’s 18-year commitment to the cause.

“Over Ford’s 18 years of support in the fight against breast cancer, we continue to look for new ways to generate awareness and support for the cause, including the release of this ‘Bang the Drum’documentary,” said Tracy Magee, Ford Primary Brand Experiential Marketing manager. “We are proud to have been able to provide the Models of Courage a powerful platform to extend the reach of their inspirational stories to further the mission of Ford’s Warriors in Pink.”
The film provides heart-wrenching personal stories on what a breast cancer diagnosis means for these Models of Courage, and how for the nine women and two men in the group that diagnosis served as a catalyst that inspired each of them to do more and live with greater purpose. Real-life connections are made with the Models of Courage who share their experiences of being diagnosed, coping with the treatments, and relying on strong support networks to demonstrate there is life after breast cancer.
“Participating in ‘Bang the Drum’ and representing Ford’s Warriors in Pink have meant so much to me,” said Tina Harold, a cancer survivor and Model of Courage. “Cancer was never a part of the life I thought I would live, but fighting it has helped me find my passion and discover where I’m supposed to be. Sharing my story on film allowed me to really express the inner strength and courage that being a warrior against this disease has helped me discover.”
The film will be showcased at events throughout October, and will be available for viewing at www.fordcares.com.
The Ford commitment runs well beyond raising funds. The company is dedicated to making a difference 365 days a year by encouraging women to become informed and visit their doctors, educating them about how early detection saves lives. 2012 marks Ford Motor Company’s 18th year of support; to date, Ford has dedicated more than $115 million to the cause.
Also available at the redesigned www.fordcares.com are items from the Warriors in Pink collection consumers can buy. A full 100 percent of net proceeds from Warriors in Pink sales go to support organizations fighting breast cancer.

Unique Ford Shelby GT500 To Be Auctioned Saturday

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 20, 2012 – On Saturday, Sept. 22, Ford Motor Company and Henry Ford Health System will auction a fabulous, one-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Shelby GT500.

As part of its 2012 “Get Your Heart Racing” event and charity auction, Henry Ford Health System has once again called on the creative talents of Ford designer Melvin Betancourt. To thank the dedicated team at Henry Ford Health System that Betancourt credits with saving his life when he was treated for a serious heart condition, the designer has focused all of his talents on creating this very special edition 2013 Ford Shelby GT500.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the legendary Shelby GT500. Ford is marking the occasion with the 2013 Shelby GT500 – the most powerful pony car ever with 662 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque and a top speed of more than 200 mph.

For Henry Ford Health System, Betancourt wanted to create a one-of-a-kind Shelby that was true to the spirit of the original, but with a modern, sophisticated level of performance and an appearance to match. The car features unique white exterior paint and contrasting white graphics. Twenty-inch white wheels add to a look that is nothing short of breathtaking.

The racing-inspired cockpit boasts special white leather Recaro seats stitched with a black contrast thread for a truly unique look to complete an overall design theme that is worthy of this legendary car’s outstanding heritage. With uncompromised performance, handling and luxury, the 2013 Shelby GT500 will satisfy the most sophisticated and discerning automotive enthusiast.

“Even with his rich racing pedigree, it’s hard to imagine what Henry Ford might have thought had he ever encountered such a massively powerful vehicle as the 2013 Shelby GT500,” said John Felice, general manager for Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “However, we’re fairly certain he’d be thrilled the car carries the Ford oval, and that this unique edition is being auctioned to support the critically important work of saving lives.”

Ford C-MAX Delivers 570 Miles on One Tank of Gas, Taking Customers Further Than Toyota Prius v at 450 Miles

• All-new 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway ratings – 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v on the highway – for a 47 mpg combined rating


• C-MAX Hybrid to offer “real car” range at 570 miles on one tank of gas, taking customers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back on one tank, beating Toyota Prius v by 120 miles


• Ford’s first hybrid to achieve equal city and highway ratings, the versatile C-MAX Hybrid also is expected to offer 15 class-exclusive features such as the available hands-free liftgate


• C-MAX Hybrid launches this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 20, 2012 – Ford Motor Company once again raises the hybrid fuel-economy bar with the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined – beating Toyota Prius v by up to 7 mpg.

Hybrids traditionally have been more economical in city driving than on the highway, unlike conventional vehicles. C-MAX Hybrid is Ford’s first hybrid vehicle to offer 47 mpg across the board.

C-MAX Hybrid returns the same fuel economy whether driving cross-country or across the city – stemming mostly from a growing list of Ford innovations that have helped the vehicle to deliver an impressive list of metrics, such as its 570-mile overall range, taking customers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back on one tank of gas.

“The all-new C-MAX Hybrid is a great symbol of how Ford has transformed into a fuel-economy and technology leader with 47 mpg across the board and a highway rating 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v,” said Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “We’ve done this with innovation – represented by nearly 500 hybrid patents – while driving costs down 30 percent so we can bring these fuel-saving vehicles to more customers.”

C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is currently available for order at Ford dealers nationwide.

As hybrid vehicle drivers traditionally saw superior fuel-economy figures in city driving, loyalists maximized their fuel economy through regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic. But now higher-speed innovations have caught up on efficiency.

“City, highway, and everywhere in between, C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-certified at 47 mpg,” Bakaj said. “It’s a win-win-win.”

The power of C-MAX Hybrid stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor, providing customers with “real car” performance and capability. C-MAX Hybrid will offer a top speed of 62 mph in EV mode and 188 net horsepower, beating the Toyota Prius v by more than 50 horsepower. When powered by gasoline, C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers class-exclusive technologies such as SmartGauge with EcoGuide along with the available hands-free liftgate and active park assist.

The latest-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide is designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, providing information such as instantaneous fuel economy to help them more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

The Brake Coach feature – part of SmartGauge – helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. Redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.

C-MAX Hybrid offers room for five people and plenty of cargo – making it perfect for the owner with an active lifestyle.

The vehicle has a high roofline – 63.9 inches – offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in the Toyota. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than the Prius v (41 and 39.4 inches, versus 39.6 and 38.6 inches).

For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats. The seats easily fold flat with 52.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.

Maximum power of choice
The all-new C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles that also includes the 2013 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.

Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid – coming later this fall – is projected to deliver 550 miles of total range, including more than 20 miles in electric-only mode, nearly double the electric-only range of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Further, C-MAX Energi delivers the top electric-only speed of any plug-in hybrid – 85 mph – more than 20 mph higher than the Toyota Prius plug-in.

C-MAX hybrid vehicles 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 is tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013 as part of this fuel-economy push.

In addition to C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi, the other three electrified vehicles are:

Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station, which is nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world
More information about C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi can be found here. Press releases, videos, photos and other material related to Ford’s electrified vehicles can be found here.

Survey Says: American Drivers Want Features That Help Make Them More Aware; New Ford Fusion up to the Challenge

• Nearly nine in 10 drivers are interested in alert and assist technologies like those offered on the all-new Ford Fusion launching this fall, according to a new Ford survey


• Drivers acknowledge their limitations: Nearly 50 percent have fallen asleep while driving or know someone who has; nearly six in 10 blame blind spots for accidents or near collisions and nearly four in 10 of those surveyed fear parallel parking


• The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion offers the most complete suite of advanced driver assist technologies in the family sedan segment – capabilities previously only available in luxury cars that cost at least $100,000


• Early orders for the 2013 Fusion include higher-than-expected demand for new technology features

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 28, 2012 – According to a new survey commissioned by Ford, most Americans say they consider themselves to be careful drivers but admit they would welcome some extra electronic help when they’re behind the wheel. Even the most attentive of drivers can’t see everything around them at all times or anticipate every hazard on the road.

Customer attitudes evolving
Recently, leading market research firm Penn Schoen Berland conducted the survey of American drivers over the age of 18 to learn more about their attitudes toward driver assist technology.

The survey found that the vast majority of drivers are interested in getting some extra assist features in their next vehicle to help them avoid potential accidents.

“We found the drivers we talked to were definitely inclined toward features that provided real practical benefits by alerting them to potentially hazardous situations they may have missed,” said Billy Mann, managing director of Penn Schoen Berland. “For them, assistance features that increase awareness ranked high among their priorities.”

Even under ideal daytime conditions on a dry road, traffic can suddenly slow or someone can slip into the gap between you and the car ahead. When the sun goes down or the clouds open up, it gets harder to judge what a suitable following distance might be. Nearly nine out of 10 of the survey respondents expressed interest in technology that could assist in slowing their car if it determines there is a potential collision ahead.

Whether on the highway during rush hour, in urban traffic or a parking lot, driving in close quarters with other vehicles can be stressful for any driver. Two-thirds of the drivers who participated in the survey indicated they would be interested in systems that can help them see around other vehicles while backing out of a parking space and detect other vehicles that might be in a blind spot over their shoulders.

Meeting customer demands
“Basic transportation has long been the dominant style in the midsize family sedan segment,” says Amy Marentic, Ford Group Marketing manager. “This survey shows that as consumers have become accustomed to using electronic assistants in other aspects of life, they are increasingly recognizing how technology can help them cope with the stresses of driving.”

Fatigue or inattentiveness can lead to a car drifting out of its lane and eight in 10 of the surveyed drivers expressed interest in a system that could provide an alert or even help to keep the vehicle in the lane. Ford’s Lane-Keeping System uses a forward-facing camera to watch for visible road markings, alerting the driver by vibrating the steering wheel if the system senses the car drifting out of its lane. Fusion is the only car in the segment that also applies a torque to the steering wheel to help nudge the car back into the lane.

“With the emergence of sensor-packed smartphones over the past several years, consumers have become accustomed to using their electronic gadgets to realize real-world benefits such as finding their way in unfamiliar places, figuring out the best place to grab a meal and track their exercise,” says Sheryl Connelly, Ford manager of Global Trends and Futuring. “Advanced driver assistance features bring those benefits to the driving experience by extending the driver’s senses beyond the car.”

While respondents almost universally consider themselves to be safe behind the wheel, the majority also acknowledge that they engage in other activities when they are behind the wheel. Three-quarters admit to eating or drinking behind the wheel and more than half have exceeded the speed limit or used a hand-held mobile phone. Eighty-three percent admit that either they or someone they know has driven when very tired.

Adult American drivers are self-aware enough to recognize the flaws in their own driving habits and express interest in technological aids.

“We see the driver as always being at the center of control of the vehicle,” said Randy Visintainer, director of Ford Research and Innovation. “With improvements in sensing and control technologies, we can now provide unprecedented levels of assistance to drivers.”

While understanding it is critical that drivers always retain full control of their vehicle, Ford engineers recognize there will always be situations where they can use some help, says Visintainer, so they’ve developed a full suite of driver assistance technologies to help mitigate the risks. Until now, it’s only been possible to get many of these features in luxury cars costing $100,000 or more.

The 2013 Ford Fusion is the first and only entry to offer all of these features in the most popular segment in the American car market including:

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert
Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support
Lane-Keeping System with Driver Alert System
Active park assist
Rear-view camera system
SYNC®

“In the early weeks of taking orders for the new Fusion, customer interest in these driver assist features is translating into strong demand,” says Marentic. “More than 14 percent of the orders so far include the Driver Assist Package (BLIS, Lane-Keeping System, auto high-beams and rain-sensing wipers), exceeding our expectations.”

Fusion is the first mainstream midsize sedan to offer adaptive cruise control and more than 5 percent of customers so far are requesting this radar-based system that also incorporates forward collision warning.

For 2013, all new Fusions include the award-winning SYNC in-vehicle connectivity system as standard equipment. More than half of the respondents in the survey acknowledge they have used a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Fifty percent of customers so far are getting the enhanced voice control provided by MyFord Touch®, which is optional on Fusion SE and standard on Titanium models

Never Drive Past a Deal Again with ROXIMITY, the New Personalized, Location-Aware Retail App for Ford SYNC

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 8, 2012 – Want to know where the best nearby deals are for pizza, an oil change, or tickets to your favorite event before it’s too late and you’ve driven past? Now it’s possible, with the release of ROXIMITY, a real-time, location-aware alert service that lets users know of surrounding deals and specials.

Today ROXIMITY, winner of the Ford SYNC® App Developer Challenge at the 2011 TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, launched its new app for iOS devices. The app is compatible with SYNC AppLink™, Ford’s hands-free, voice-controlled mobile connectivity technology.

“The launch of ROXIMITY is truly exciting for us, since it was the SYNC in-car experience that sparked the team to go from idea to reality,” said Doug VanDagens, global director of Ford Connected Services. “Finding and supporting startups like ROXIMITY is what will keep Ford at the forefront of in-car connectivity innovations. With ROXIMITY we become the first automaker to offer a personalized daily deal location service.”

ROXIMITY enables registered users to input individual preferences and interests. Then, as users drive, walk or bike past a restaurant or store that might have a deal or special they would find appealing, a push notification is sent to their phone informing them of what they are near.

With SYNC AppLink compatibility, ROXIMITY provides a convenient way to improve a consumer’s time behind the wheel while running errands. When drivers connect their phone to SYNC via USB and activate AppLink, they can simply use their voice to ask ROXIMITY for any special deals nearby within designated retail categories, including restaurants, home services, spas and salons, and men’s or women’s clothing.

“While driving, users can simply say, ‘lunch deals,’ and their favorite lunch options will be read out loud,” says Danny Newman, co-founder and CEO of ROXIMITY. “There’s nothing like ROXIMITY. Other deal services offer coupons for the entire metropolitan area or for things that are not relevant to you. ROXIMITY is personalized and will provide you what you want, when you want it.”

As winner of the SYNC App Developer Challenge at the 2011 TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon, ROXIMITY was given access by Ford to the company’s SYNC AppLink application programming interface (API) so the team could integrate its new idea to be compatible with the in-vehicle connectivity system.

Click here to see a video of the creators of ROXIMITY.

In 2011, ROXIMITY was nothing more than a seed of an idea scribbled in a notebook. When Newman and his partners Austin Gayer and Joe Mease showed up at the TechCrunch Hackathon, they knew they wanted to develop that idea. They saw Ford was title sponsor of the event and looking for the next big idea, and everything just clicked.

“This app is really complemented by the car,” Newman explains. “We know that when you are on the road and on the go, you may want to know the best deals for food, gas and shopping. Or, you may be on a trip and don’t know the area and just need to take a quick break. ROXIMITY helps make the most of your time. It is like your own personal intelligent sidekick.”

ROXIMITY is the first app to have AppLink compatibility at its initial launch.

“It’s great to be a part of ROXIMITY from the beginning,” says Stefan Bankowski, Ford SYNC AppLink engineer. “When they pitched the idea, we knew this had the potential to be a driver’s best friend. Adding voice control to check for deals and specials adds a layer of convenience to driving, and allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

“Ford is always looking to collaborate with innovators,” Bankowski adds. “With the fast pace of development in the tech industry, we know great ideas are out there, we just need to find them and provide access to our SYNC platform, just like we did with ROXIMITY.”

The eight-person ROXIMITY team was recently selected for the TechStars entrepreneurial business accelerator program in Boulder, Colo. Of the more than 1,200 companies that applied, only 12 were chosen. The prestigious program invests up to $118,000 in each company, and the three-month curriculum provides intense mentoring and guidance. The culmination of the program is a demo day in which investors view the companies, hear pitches from the teams, then decide whether to contribute more to the startup business.

How ROXIMITY works
ROXIMITY is a free app and service that lets users choose from multiple settings to indicate the type of deal notifications they would like to receive. Users can then set text or push notification preferences for their deal alerts on a smartphone or even a “feature” phone.

As users interact with the app over time, the ROXIMITY platform learns their interests and patterns and becomes more aware of the offers the user will find appealing. Users have the ability to limit the number of deals ROXIMITY reports per day or week.

When connected through SYNC AppLink, drivers can activate ROXIMITY to verbally relay deals at their request while driving.

SYNC AppLink integration enables drivers to use simple voice commands to access a list of deals nearby or in specific retail categories. The voice commands and features include:

“Find nearby deals” commands the app to search for all deals, regardless of category, in a predefined search radius set within the app preferences
“List deal categories” reminds you of all retail categories, including:
Restaurants
Spa and Salon
Health and Fitness
Men’s Clothing
Women’s Clothing
Food and Grocery
Bars and Clubs
Treats
Home Services
Auto Services
Entertainment
Sports Events
Concerts
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Late Night
“Call Retailer” directly dials the retailer, using hands-free SYNC, allowing you to easily take advantage of the deal, such as ordering a pizza

With ROXIMITY, users can find and redeem hundreds of thousands of offers nationwide from favorite places such as Banana Republic, Express, GameStop, Gap, H&M, PacSun, Pottery Barn, Qdoba, The Body Shop, Williams-Sonoma and more.

ROXIMITY is now available for download in the App Store for iOS devices and users can register for the service here. A version for Android devices is in development.

Ford’s MyFord Mobile App and Batteries Allow Customers to Benefit from More Than 9,400 U.S. Public Charging Statio

• When using a 240-volt charger – what most public stations deliver – Ford Focus Electric can fully charge in four hours and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid can fully charge in two-and-a-half hours


• The MyFord® Mobile app – available through the App Store – was developed by Ford engineers for Ford vehicles; it includes a public charger location database powered by MapQuest® with newly installed stations constantly being added to the list


• Ford Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will or already have launched, giving customers true power of choice when it comes to deciding how they will take advantage of the growing electric vehicle infrastructure

DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2012 – Ford is making sure its customers can take advantage of the rapidly growing electric vehicle infrastructure in the U.S. – now with more than 9,400 public charging stations – by equipping cars like C-MAX Energi with batteries that can charge in as little as 2.5 hours and offering an app that is updated daily and helps find nearby charging stations.

MyFord® Mobile is an app developed by Ford engineers that can only be used with Ford Focus Electric and the soon-to-be-available C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids. In addition to locating charging stations, the app allows customers to manage remote charging, view current battery status and plan trips.

The charging station locator is powered by MapQuest® and provides important details about charging stations in close proximity to the owner’s vehicle, such as street address and hours of operation.Stations are popping up all over, too – from local grocery stores in Pittsburgh, churches in Austin, Texas, and hospitals in Portland to places like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Walgreens, Target, Cracker Barrel and Walmart.

“As more stations join the grid, MyFord Mobile users will be among the first to know because information about charger locations is constantly being culled from various sources to provide the most up-to-date data,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford’s manager of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure.

Up-to-date information is important because there are now 9,445 public stations in the U.S., according to current U.S. Department of Energy numbers. By comparison, there were about 2,500 public charging stations in the U.S. at the end of 2009.

“In addition to having innovative features that allow customers to minimize their transportation costs and maximize their EV driving range, MyFord Mobile also is the only mobile app that integrates up-to-date charge station locations real-time within the application,” said Tinskey.

Ford is tripling its electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013 with cars equipped with batteries that allow for quick charging at public charging stations.

Focus Electric – America’s most fuel-efficient compact that offers the equivalent of up to 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city – is equipped with an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that can be fully charged in four hours, or about half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid – available this fall – will be able to recharge fully in two-and-a-half hours. C-MAX Energi is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid, part of the company’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles, and now it is America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid. The vehicle is expected to deliver 95 MPGe, along with 550 miles of total range; its electric-only range is more than three times that of Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid per EPA testing methods. The all-new Fusion Energi, also a plug-in hybrid, is in the pipeline as well.

With the new electrified offerings from Ford, the rapid development of the public infrastructure to support the new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles couldn’t be timed any better, said Tinskey.

“I cannot recall another time in our history when there was so much momentum and resources around an energy shift for transportation,” he says. “Not only are these charge stations a boost for consumers thinking about a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but they also provide a glimpse of how things will likely take shape in the future.”

Public charging stations aren’t the only way electric and plug-in hybrids are charged.

J.R. DeShazo, director of UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, says research shows charging a vehicle at home remains the most common method for charging. The center researches and reports on environmental and sustainability issues.

Ford has ensured customers who prefer to charge at home are able to do so by making available a 240-volt charger designed specifically for Ford vehicles and for use in a residential setting. More information about the residential charger available at Best Buy can be found here.

The availability of 240-volt chargers – public or private – is important because they allow for faster charging of the advanced lithium-ion batteries used in Ford’s newest electrified vehicles. Focus Electric, for example, is able to fully recharge in four hours – about half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

Ford’s decades of battery research laid the groundwork for moving from larger, heavier nickel-metal-hydride batteries found in previous-generation vehicles to today’s lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Ford’s battery cell reliability, in fact, has been tested around the clock in high-mileage, extreme-use hybrid taxis around the country – including more than 80 million miles of operation in California. Yet, among the nearly 43 million battery cells Ford has tested or seen put to work in customer vehicles, only five issues have been documented. More information about the evolution of Ford’s battery quality can be found here.

Power of choice
Charging station installers have installed stations because they see electric vehicle adoption as a foregone conclusion with the only remaining question pertaining to how quickly adoption takes place, says DeShazo.

“As automakers like Ford meet drivers’ needs, excite drivers – and at the same time provide them with vehicles that lower refueling costs and provide greater environmental and social benefits – the quicker we’re going to see these important technologies and important vehicles adopted,” said DeShazo.

The five electrified vehicles Ford is launchingfall in line with the company’s goal of providing customers with power of choice when it comes to fuel-efficient vehicles. The electrified vehicles are:

Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station, which is nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
C-MAX Hybrid: Projected to achieve 47 mpg city, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology – all at a $1,300-lower base price
C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Coming this fall; electric-mode MPGe that is more than three times that of Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid per EPA testing methods; 95 MPGe; total range of 550 miles
All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world

Ford Enables SYNC Voice Control of Allergy Alert App by IMS Health Giving Drivers On-Demand Access to Allergy Forecasts

• Drivers of Ford SYNC® AppLink™-equipped vehicles now can check allergy, pollen, asthma, flu and UV conditions on the go with the Allergy Alert® app


• Allergy sufferers can check current forecasts using simple voice commands


• Ford continues in efforts to improve the health and wellness of drivers by utilizing connectivity for more than information and entertainment
  

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 2, 2012 – Allergy Alert® app is now compatible with Ford SYNC® AppLink™ to give drivers a safe way to check the potential for scratchy eyes, sore throats and runny noses while on the go.

“Mobile health apps are changing the way consumers manage their own wellness, and Ford SYNC provides the platform to extend this growing trend to the driving experience,” explained Doug VanDagens, global director of Ford Connected Services. “The SYNC AppLink-enabled Allergy Alert app allows drivers to quickly check current and upcoming pollen and other health risk conditions with simple voice commands while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

According to Pollen.com, seasonal allergy symptoms affect 20 percent of Americans annually. Those suffering with allergies are challenged to figure out if pollen levels are up or down and how it may impact their health that day. Pollen.com is a publicly available allergy resource supplied by IMS Health, a global leader in healthcare information, services and technology, and the data provider for the Allergy Alert app.

“Pollen affects everyone differently, and the IMS app was developed to specifically help people on the move improve their quality of life,” said Dan Barton, U.S. head of product development for IMS Health. “Our experience with allergy sufferers suggests a strong demand for real-time information. The technology we’ve applied in the Ford SYNC AppLink-equipped car helps drivers better prepare for the allergens they may encounter on the road by delivering reliable, timely and relevant information related to their destination. The app gives users the ability to more consistently manage their symptoms.”

With SYNC AppLink, drivers can connect smartphones or tablets to their cars, and by using simple voice commands are able to quickly access information from Allergy Alert – while not having to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.

Through the app’s pollen index rating, drivers can request to hear the types of allergen conditions they are likely to encounter that may cause a flare-up in personal allergy symptoms. The app also provides a risk index for asthma, flu/cough/cold and ultraviolet rays.

Based on the growing trend in mobile and Web-based healthcare services, Ford initiated research into health and wellness apps that could leverage SYNC’s connectivity capability. In spring of last year, Ford kicked off a series of research projects for in-car health and wellness-connected services such as medical device connectivity, cloud-based health management services and mobile app integration. In just over a year, Ford is now delivering on the initial research with Allergy Alert as one of the first steps toward helping drivers to take care of themselves and their passengers.

“We are attempting to create the car that cares,” says Gary Strumolo, global manager of Ford Research and Innovation. “We want to change the paradigm that in-car connectivity systems such as SYNC can only be used for information and entertainment purposes. Health and wellness are key issues for our customers outside of the car; therefore, we want to leverage our connectivity platform to improve their time behind the wheel. The trend in mobile health is all about knowing potential health concerns before they happen so that they don’t surprise a person, even while driving.”

SYNC AppLink integration enables drivers to use simple voice commands to access the health and wellness features of the Allergy Alert app while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The voice commands and features include:

“Current location”updates the driver’s location using the car’s built-in GPS receiver to report the most accurate and up-to-date information
“Allergy”provides a verbal pollen index to users that rates the severity of pollen levels in the surrounding environment on a scale from 0 to 12
“Pollen”specifies that pollens are predominantly in the air
“Asthma” uses a 0 to 12 scale to address potential and upcoming concerns for asthmatics
“Flu” addresses the current and upcoming flu index and report
“UV” tells drivers of the current and upcoming risks of UV rays
“ZIP 1,” “ZIP 2” and “ZIP 3”stores up to three ZIP codes in the settings menu of users’ device. The first ZIP code is the default location when not using the GPS position. The second and third ZIP enable users to store ZIP codes outside of their current area, such as a mother storing the ZIP code of her child’s school

The SYNC AppLink-enabled version of Allergy Alert is available for iOS devices and is a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store.

How Does Ford Measure Space in the All-New Ford Escape? Pingpong Balls

Ford uses pingpong balls to measure certain interior cargo spaces in the all-new Ford Escape and competitive vehicles

Oddly shaped spaces in the center consoles and glove boxes of Ford vehicles spurred idea for using pingpong balls as a standard unit of measure

Clever spots, including an umbrella holder, offer unique spaces to stay organized in the all-new Ford Escape

DEARBORN, Mich., July 18, 2012 – How many pingpong balls fit into an all-new Ford Escape? Approximately 56,778.

Ford has a unique way of measuring interior storage spaces inside its vehicles and those of its competitors, and it’s not with a ruler; it’s with pingpong balls.

“It probably doesn’t seem like it, but pingpong balls are more accurate than using a tape measure to get the volume of odd-shaped spaces like a glove compartment,” said Eric Jackson, Vehicle Architecture supervisor.

Many years ago, Ford would estimate the capacity of glove boxes, center consoles and other small areas of a vehicle using a measuring tape, and taking length times width times height to get the volume. But with all the angles, curves and other odd shapes in a vehicle, engineers and designers were not satisfied with the accuracy or consistency of this method. According to Jackson, a Ford engineer then came up with the idea of using pingpong balls to measure spaces.

“It was just a quirky idea that came out of a team brainstorm,” says Jackson. “But we then did some studies using pingpong balls and found capacities were more consistently measured.”

Jackson’s team found that if two people measure the same console with a measuring tape, they often will come up with different results due to the wide variations of the method. However, if two people use pingpong balls to measure volume, they are more likely to get the same answer.

The precise way volume is measured with pingpong balls is fairly simple, explains Sejal Shreffler, Ford Accommodation and Usage engineer. Ford engineers have developed a cubic measurement for each pingpong ball that accounts for the open space in between a stack of balls. They then use that measurement and account for the number of pingpong balls in the storage space to determine total volume of a space.

Engineers also use computer-aided design (CAD) renderings to compute volume.

Laser scanning
Shreffler and her team also use a laser scanner device that allows Ford to get surface data in CAD on competitors. Shreffler can get a 3D digital representation of the visible surfaces on the vehicle. The surface data are then digitized and the space is evaluated in CAD. This technology can be used to measure different areas of the vehicle to compute anything from cargo volumes to the dashboard console or glove box volumes.

“Our team scans dozens of consumer goods from iPads to mountain bikes and wheelchairs to ensure these objects not only fit into our vehicles, but that there is a proper place for them,” said Shreffler.

Clever spacesThe all-new Ford Escape features several places to store specific items in the interior including umbrellas, bottles and cell phones.

Unique storage spots include:
Overhead visors with ticket holders for parking or toll tickets
Hidden storage bin under the second-row floor
Small umbrella holders on both driver and passenger seat trim panels
A card holder below and a stowage bin above the center of the instrument panel
Center console space to hold a one-liter bottle, MP3 player or CDs
Convenient USB ports in the center console and 110-volt inverter located at the back of the floor console for easy plug-in of laptops, cell phone chargers or other electronics

Ford C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrid Expected to Deliver 550-Mile Range and Nearly Double Electric-Only Range of Prius

• 
  
  Ford’s first-ever plug-in hybrid – the all-new C-MAX Energi utility – is the only vehicle of its kind that customers can drive from Sacramento to San Diego on a tank of gas and make the average commute on electricity alone.



• 
  
  Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to deliver 550 miles of total range, including more than 20 miles in electric-only mode – nearly double the electric-only range of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.



• 
  
  C-MAX Energi – available this fall – is Ford’s first production plug-in hybrid and part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles.



• 
  
  C-MAX Energi will launch as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013.
  

DEARBORN, Mich., July 20, 2012 – The new Ford C-MAX Energi is expected to achieve more than 20 miles of electric-only range – nearly double the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid – and a 550-mile overall range to become the first hybrid vehicle ever that can be driven from Sacramento to San Diego on a single tank of gas and make the average American commute without gasoline. With a maximum electric-only speed projected to top that of Prius plug-in, C-MAX Energi drivers might be able to reach wherever they’re going a little faster, too. Topping it off, C-MAX Energi delivers fuel economy that is the equivalent of 95 miles per gallon (MPGe) combined city/highway. John Davis, chief nameplate engineer for Ford’s compact cars and utility vehicles, said it’s all designed to improve the driving experience: from making the 550-mile trek down Highway 99 from Sacramento to San Diego to the daily 20-mile one-way trip to work – the distance some reports suggest the average American commutes.
“We are proud C-MAX Energi is the first plug-in hybrid that can deliver a 550-mile overall range and more than 20 miles of electric range as it gives customers great flexibility to commute to work, then take off for a road trip while passing many gas stations along the way,” says Davis. “C-MAX Energi is a great symbol for the leading fuel economy we’re delivering across our lineup to give customers the power of choice to save money at the pump.”
C-MAX Energi is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles in North America and will soon be available for order at Ford’s certified electric-vehicle dealerships. C-MAX Energi operates just like a traditional hybrid with two key differences – owners must plug in the vehicle using its charge port and C-MAX Energi has a larger battery pack.

Power of choice
Already available for order is C-MAX Hybrid – expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery – with a cost that is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi figure prominently in Ford’s rollout of five electrified vehicles this year. Ford’s other electrified vehicles include:

Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe city; charge time of four hours with the available 240-volt charging station – nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
C-MAX Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg city, 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v
All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; projected 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of this year; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world with more than 100 MPGe

“Ford’s electrified vehicles offer a great combination of efficiency, performance, technology and affordability that we believe will help spur adoption of these advanced vehicles,” says Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering. “C-MAX Energi not only offers leading efficiency, it has 50 more horsepower than the Prius plug-in hybrid along with class-exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate and active park assist for easier parallel parking.”

Maximizing experience
While the C-MAX Energi nameplate is new to the U.S. market, the technology and design has proven itself already in other ways and in other places.

More than 144,000 units of the five-passenger C-MAX gasoline and diesel versions have been sold in Europe since late 2010. Though Ford is concentrating on hybrid versions of C-MAX in the U.S., the designs of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the gasoline- and diesel-powered European version.

C-MAX Energi also benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology it offers, incorporating many of the nearly 500 patents Ford holds in the area of hybrid technology. The car’s powersplit technology – which allows for more efficient operation of the vehicle – consists of more than 200 patents alone.

Like C-MAX Hybrid, C-MAX Energi has projected total system horsepower of 188 that stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Energi uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

Because owners plug in to charge the advanced lithium-ion battery in C-MAX Energi, the vehicle is able to achieve increased electric mode and total range. Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, more efficient and more powerful than nickel-metal hydride batteries used in first-generation hybrids. They also promote faster charging times.

C-MAX Energi sets itself apart from other hybrids in other ways, too. For example, it offers the latest generation of SmartGauge® with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from C-MAX, information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on one of two 4.2-inch LCD screens, helping 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.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid Aims for 47 MPG to Beat Prius v as Most Fuel-Efficient, Affordable Hybrid Utility Vehicle in America

• Ford C-MAX Hybrid projected to achieve 47 mpg city, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology – all at a $1,300-lower base price


• 
  C-MAX Hybrid is Ford’s first entry in the largest hybrid segment and is expected to attract a large percentage of conquest and mainstream buyers with the segment’s lowest payback period of two years compared with leading small crossovers


• 
  C-MAX Hybrid will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013

DEARBORN, Mich., July 5, 2012 – Ford’s new C-MAX Hybrid soon will make a big statement in the largest hybrid segment with projected leading fuel economy of 47 mpg city – beating the Toyota Prius v by 3 mpg, plus a $1,300-lower base price.

The segment for small hybrids such as the C-MAX Hybrid and Prius accounts for 65 percent of all hybrid sales. Ford expects about half of C-MAX buyers to be conquest customers trading in competitive models.

Ford has simultaneously increased hybrid efficiency and performance while reducing cost. The result is an expected payback period of two years for the hybrid technology premium compared with leading small crossovers. This is about half of the four-year period Ford research shows could trigger more mainstream hybrid sales.

“The C-MAX Hybrid builds on Ford’s 20 years of hybrid innovation and fuel-efficient offerings to take on Prius v with better city fuel economy at 47 mpg and at better value – a great chance for us to shake up the hybrid market,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “C-MAX Hybrid delivers 3 mpg more than Prius v with 50 more horsepower and exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate – and the $1,300-lower base price means the payback period will be the smallest in the segment.”

Ford research highlights other ways in which hybrids could become more mainstream. The gap in average income between hybrid and conventional vehicle buyers has decreased by half – from about $30,000 to $15,000 – in the past few years.

Maximum efficiency, technology and value
The C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles and currently available for order at select dealerships.

The projected 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway ratings to be delivered by C-MAX Hybrid beat the fuel economy of Toyota Prius v with its 44 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.

The vehicle also can be driven 500-plus miles with total system horsepower of 188 compared with total system horsepower of 134 from Toyota Prius v and Prius.

The power of C-MAX Hybrid stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered. More details about the C-MAX powertrain can be found in this press release.

C-MAX Hybrid also offers class-exclusive technologies such as the available hands-free liftgate, optional active park assist and SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, along with the ability to deliver higher speeds in electric mode than Toyota Prius v.

The latest-generation SmartGauge with EcoGuide is designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, providing information such as instantaneous fuel economy to help them more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects the vehicle’s efficiency.

A new Brake Coach feature helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. Redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.

Active lifestyle
The C-MAX Hybrid offers room for five people and plenty of cargo – making it perfect for the owner with an active lifestyle.

The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches).

For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats. The seats easily fold flat with 52.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.

Quality choices
C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology it offers and has helped Ford develop a portfolio of nearly 500 patents in the area of hybrid technology.

Also, Ford’s hybrid taxi fleet logged more than 80 million miles in California during the past decade – more than quadruple the number of miles logged by Toyota’s Prius lineup. Yet, among the nearly 43 million battery cells Ford has tested or seen put to work in customer vehicles, only five issues have been documented.

C-MAX Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here.

C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s strategy to give customers the power of choice for vehicles with leading fuel efficiency across all powertrain technologies. C-MAX Hybrid is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North America in 2012. The other vehicles include:

Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe; charge time in four hours with the available 240-volt charging station, nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Coming this fall; better electric-mode MPGe than Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and better overall range than any plug-in hybrid
All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47 mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world

Customers interested in C-MAX Hybrid should visit here. A video featuring C-MAX can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ford Delivers Record Number of 40-MPG+ Vehicles, Industry’s Freshest Full-Line Product Portfolio in U.S.

• Ford further grows customers’ power of choice, offering eight U.S. vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or more – double its number versus 2011 and more than any other full-line automaker


• The company is tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013, growing its range to six vehicles; all-new C-MAX Hybrid expected to achieve 47 mpg certification – at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology


• Ford grows annual EcoBoost® production to nearly 1.6 million engines globally by 2013 – almost 100,000 engines above its original target; new Taurus with 2.0-liter EcoBoost is EPA-certified at best-in-class 32 mpg and Ford confirms 1.0-liter EcoBoost for U.S. small car next year


• Ford further accelerates global platform consolidation plans, delivering the industry’s freshest full-line product portfolio in the U.S. this year and beyond; globally, Ford plans to have the youngest portfolio of passenger vehicles for the next five consecutive years

DEARBORN, Mich., June 26, 2012 – Ford is delivering more fuel-efficient vehicle choices in 2012 than ever before and a fresher new vehicle lineup than any full-line automaker in the U.S.

“Customers are starting to see the true benefits of our One Ford plan,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “With more new vehicle options and an even broader range of fuel-efficient cars, utilities and trucks, Ford is delivering real power of choice for millions of consumers who are paying more attention than ever to what happens at the pump – no matter what the price.”
Ford is offering eight vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better by year-end – double its number versus 2011 and more than any other full-line automaker. In fact, Ford’s eight-vehicle tally is more than the number of 40-mpg-or-better vehicles Toyota and General Motors offer combined.

Ford also is tripling its electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013, growing its electrified vehicle lineup to six models – including the all-new C-MAX Hybrid. The compact hybrid utility vehicle, which arrives this fall, is expected to achieve 47 mpg, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology.

Ford plans for 10 to 25 percent of its global sales to be electrified vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles) by 2020, and continues to find ways to make more affordable, high-volume, internal-combustion engines even more fuel efficient.

Ford has invested record amounts in its powertrains and new vehicles since launching its Blueprint for Sustainability. Since 2007, the company has improved fuel economy in its vehicles in all key segments, including:

Small cars: Focus has improved its highway fuel economy 21 percent between 2007 and the 2012 model’s 40 mpg
Midsize cars: The gas-engine-powered all-new Fusion is projected to be 28 percent more fuel efficient than its 2007 counterpart when it goes on sale this fall
Full-size cars: The new 2.0-liter EcoBoost® Taurus, now EPA-certified at 32 mpg highway, is 27 percent more fuel efficient than the 2007 Ford Five Hundred
Sports cars: Mustang maintains its unbeaten balance of power and fuel economy with a 24 percent fuel economy improvement
Utilities: The new EcoBoost-powered Escape delivers a 32 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous V6 Escape, while Explorer has reinvented modern full-size SUVs, fueled largely by its 40-percent fuel economy improvement to 28 mpg highway for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost compared to the previous model’s V6
Trucks: F-150 improves 21 percent versus five years ago to 23 mpg city
Fuel-efficient EcoBoost powertrains are now a mainstay in Ford’s lineup. In fact, Ford’s annual EcoBoost production grows to nearly 1.6 million engines globally by 2013 – surpassing the company’s original target for that time frame.

A 1.0-liter EcoBoost – Ford’s smallest, quietest engine ever – arrives in one of Ford’s U.S. small cars next year. Already on sale in the European Focus, the 1.0-liter engine was named the 2012 International Engine of the Year this month.

Additional 1.6-, 2.0- and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines are already available on Escape, Explorer, Edge, F-150, Flex, Focus ST, Fusion, Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicles, and Taurus.

While EcoBoost offers up to a 15 percent reduction in CO2 versus larger-displacement, non-turbocharged engines, this technology can also save customers money on fuel. During a 7.5-year ownership period, for instance:

All-new Ford Escape 2.0-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $2,245, the equivalent of 6.1 months of fuel, compared to Toyota RAV4 V6
2013 Ford Taurus 3.5-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $2,090, the equivalent of 10 months of eating out for an average family, compared to the Chrysler 300C
All-new Ford Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost buyers could save $1,650, the equivalent of more than three months of groceries, compared to a Toyota Camry four-cylinder owner’s fuel use
“Whether you are talking about new technologies, engines or vehicles themselves, customers increasingly are looking for good value,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers are telling us Ford is delivering what they truly want – including the newest vehicles to choose from in America.”

Ford has the freshest new lineup of passenger and commercial vehicles in the U.S. industry – surpassing Honda, Toyota and Hyundai, according to the recent 2012 Bank of America Merrill Lynch “Car Wars” study.

This is just the beginning, Nair said. Globally, Ford plans to have the youngest portfolio of passenger vehicles for the next five consecutive years.

Ford’s move to truly global platforms enables the company to create more new models for customers more quickly.

In 2011, the company had 22 distinct vehicle platforms in use around the world. That number drops to 10 by 2017, ahead of One Ford plan goals. Five of these will be manufactured in at least more than one region.

By 2016, 80 percent of Ford’s planned 8 million vehicles will be based on the five global platforms.

“Even better new vehicles, faster – that is what we are committed to deliver for our customers,” Nair said.

Focus Electric’s Dedicated App – MyFord Mobile – Now Available; Controls Faster Charging Technologies, Route Planning While Mobile

Owners of the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric can now download the MyFord® Mobile iPhone app – which can help recharge the car in half the time of Nissan Leaf – from the iTunes app store or http://www.myfordmobile.com/ website.

MyFord Mobile includes value charging powered by Microsoft, trip planning and public charger location database thanks to MapQuest, and a cellular connection to the Focus Electric via an AT&T embedded cellular modem.

MyFord Mobile app and website offers “Guest Mode” to learn about its features.

DEARBORN, Mich., June 13, 2012 – With the first retail customers now taking delivery of America’s most energy-efficient compact car, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the MyFord® Mobile iPhone app and http://www.myfordmobile.com/ are available to help owners locate charging stations and recharge their cars in half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

MyFord Mobile allows Focus Electric drivers to link up with their cars via an embedded AT&T wireless module that provides for remote communication with the car to maximize utility and minimize operating costs. Drivers can log in at any time to check the current state of charge of the advanced lithium-ion battery pack and enable the exclusive value charging mode.

Focus Electric drivers also will be able to share, learn and teach smart driving by participating in forums on the MyFord Mobile website – with features such as leader boards, unique achievements and social networking – when the car becomes available through dealers in the first half of 2012. In the process, users will be able to seamlessly upload driving achievements and statistics to popular social platforms like Facebook and Twitter.



“The Focus Electric is a fun car to drive and helps save customers money at the pump; with MyFord Mobile, the enjoyment and savings continue after the vehicle is parked and charging,” said Bill Frykman, Business and Product Development manager. “This innovative app also offers new ways of sharing your driving experiences to create a “cool” factor while educating new Focus Electric drivers on the perks that come with an electric vehicle lifestyle.”

While away from the car, customers can monitor the battery display for the current charge level and for how long the car will need to be plugged in to get a full charge or reach a desired range. The MapQuest-powered trip planner built into both the app and Web portal enables users to find available public charging stations and plan efficient multi-destination routes. Users can select their next destination and send it directly to the car from either the app or the portal for hassle-free voice guidance.

Only MyFord Mobile includes industry-first value charging technology co-developed with Microsoft that can help customers charge the car at the lowest possible cost. Electricity rates can vary widely depending on location, season and time of day. The national average is about 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, but local rates can vary from less than 5 cents at night to more than 37 cents during peak times in areas such as Hawaii.

When the Focus Electric is plugged in at home, value charging harnesses the power of Microsoft’s cloud computing platform to check local utility rates and then automatically starts charging after the prices drop. With value charging, Focus Electric users get reduced operating costs and use power when there is less strain on the electrical grid. An added benefit is owners don’t have to go searching for energy pricing data.

Owners can also use MyFord Mobile to program their driving schedule with GO Times and set a desired cabin temperature. Do you want a warm car on that cold morning? Using GO Times will heat it up without using battery power. Are you leaving in the middle of the night? GO Times will ensure you use as much of that value charge as possible and still ensure you have a full battery.

Of course the battery can only be charged if the Focus Electric is plugged in. The combination of MyFord Mobile and the embedded wireless connection enables the car to send a text message alert to the owner if someone unplugs the Focus before the battery is fully charged or the owner forgets to plug in at night.

MyFord Mobile can also help drivers learn to be more energy efficient by automatically uploading and processing vehicle data from each trip. After arriving at a destination, drivers can check the trip and charge log to see how far they drove, how much energy was consumed and how much braking energy was recaptured. They can also get overall driving scores.

“The MyFord Mobile app and the Focus Electric work together to coach drivers to be more efficient and maximize the benefits of the electric vehicle experience,” said Joe Rork, MyFord Mobile product manager. “We wanted to help drivers get more miles out of every charge and have some fun along the way.”

Focus Electric drivers can register an account now at http://www.myfordmobile.com/ and download the iPhone app from the iTunes App Store. Drivers who are curious about making the jump to gasoline-free driving can check out the site and the app as a guest. MyFord Mobile will also work with the upcoming C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids.

Voting Now Open to Determine Final Design of First-Ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women

DEARBORN, Mich., May 24, 2012 – Voting is now open to help select the final concept for the first-ever SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. To vote now through June 3, the public is invited to visit: http://www.hotrod.com/all-female-mustang-build-ford-sweepstakes/ to view three different design concepts and vote on the one they would like to see used for the build. Voters will be entered into drawings to win several prizes.

Announced earlier this week, the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Led by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), a 2013 Mustang GT donated by Ford will be completely modified using the winning design from start to finish by women.

Beginning with three concepts developed by women designers and concluding with women volunteers performing the hands-on modifications, the project is meant to shine light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

The three concepts are:

High Gear: Designed by SBN Member, Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Company, High Gear –a luxury Mustang concept – is inspired by international products in categories such as jewelry, couture clothing and architecture. Designed to stimulate the senses by fusing luxury and power, the results are fresh and exciting, propelling Mustang into a whole new arena

Chromatic: Designed by SBN Member, Jennifer Seely of Ford Motor Company, the ultimate pop culture edition Mustang takes a futuristic design approach drawing inspiration from such pop culture elements as street art and products for an exciting color palette that is free of all boundaries and disciplines. The anthracite-colored chrome body as a base exemplifies the neon colors bringing this Mustang to life. Design details include anthracite-colored chrome exterior, bright cyan wheels and white leather racing interior coupled with an aggressive track suspension and V8 roar

Fast Metal: Designed by SBN Member, Theresa Contreras from L&G Enterprises. Theresa takes the American muscle car to a whole other level using tone-on-tone dark metallic finishes and red accents for a dramatic design that underscores Mustang’s DNA, raw speed and power
Source Interlink Media (SIM), a partner in the project, posted the three concepts on several of its websites so the public can vote for the design that will ultimately be selected. The concept with the most votes will be used for the build, which will take place at SIM headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.

“Women play a significant role when it comes to customizing a vehicle,” said Bryan Harrison, senior manager of councils for SEMA and project manager on the build. “From purchasing the vehicle and determining what modifications to make, to executing the actual modifications and driving the customized vehicle, women are key players in the entire process. The SEMA Mustang Build demonstrates just how integral women are to customizing today’s cars and trucks.”

The completed vehicle will debut at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The modified Mustang will then be auctioned off on eBay, with money raised to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket leaders and innovators by awarding cash scholarships to winning applicants.

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.automobilemag.com, www.HotRod.com, www.mustangmonthly.com or www.MuscleMustangFastFords.com; or contact Bryan Harrison at bryanh@sema.org or 909.978.6691

A Taurus SHO on the big screen

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith take on a third partner in the soon-to-be-released Men in Black 3. A new Ford Taurus SHO – in black, of course – features prominently in the storyline. Click here for a sneak peak, then look for it in theaters nationwide May 25.

Statement on Ford Investment Grade Rating by Moody’s Investors Service

DEARBORN, Mich., May 22, 2012 –The following statement can be attributed to Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company:

“The Ford Blue Oval is back where it belongs with the Ford family of 166,000 employees around the world. This is a great day for us and is the result of several years of hard work and progress by everyone associated with Ford.

“When we pledged the Ford Blue Oval as part of the loan package, we were not just pledging an asset. We pledged our heritage. The Ford Blue Oval is one of the most recognized symbols in the world, and it is a source of great pride and passion, both inside and outside our company. Getting the Ford Blue Oval back feels amazing, and it is one of the best days that I can remember.”

The following statement can be attributed to Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company:

“We are so proud of today’s decision by Moody’s and the resulting release of all collateral – particularly the Ford Blue Oval. This is an important milestone and further proof that, by staying laser-focused on our One Ford plan, the Ford team can deliver great products, build a strong business and contribute to a better world even through the most challenging external environment.

“Moving forward, we will continue to focus on driving profitable growth for all of our stakeholders. We are confident that, by staying focused on our plan and working together, we will maintain strong investment grade ratings through all economic cycles.”

Background
December 2006: Raised $23.5 billion in liquidity, consisting of $18.5 billion of senior secured debt and credit facilities, secured by substantially all of our domestic assets, including the Ford Blue Oval, F-150 and Mustang trademarks, and $5 billion of unsecured convertible debt.

November 2007: Together with the UAW, Ford negotiated a transformational labor agreement, with a lower wage structure for new employees and flexible work rules

March 2009: Reached ground breaking UAW agreement that helped the company achieve parity with transplant automakers, resulting in incremental annual savings and efficiencies

October 2009: Reported first quarterly pre-tax operating profit since Q1 2008

Year-end 2009: Achieved a full-year operating profit and net income of $2.7 billion – an improvement of $17.5 billion from the losses of 2008

Year-end 2011: Reported third year in a row of improved annual operating profits and reduced debt by more than $20 billion compared with year-end 2009

September 2011: Completely paid back the loan

March 2012: First dividend payment in almost six years

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com/.

Stealthy SHO takes to the track at Grattan RacewayThe gap between racetrack and family has finally been filled. The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO with Performa

The gap between racetrack and family has finally been filled. The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO with Performance Package is the ride of choice for anyone looking to burn rubber after work in the same car she uses to drive to parent-teacher conferences. Click here for a special video on the sleeper SHO in action at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich., and hear what engineers have to say about this fast and functional Taurus.

4 Million and Rising: Ford Mustang Continues to Gain Fans on Facebook

• Ford Mustang’s Facebook page has reached a milestone – more than 4 million fans on Facebook, which is the most fans of any vehicle nameplate on the world’s largest social network


• Ford has used a blend of highly engaging content such as integrating the Mustang Customizer application into Facebook, in addition to utilizing live chats with various subject matter experts


• A robust mix of awareness advertising through first-in-industry Facebook paid media advertising video units, coupled with strong content and affinity for an iconic brand all contribute to reaching approximately 1.6 million people per week.
  


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  DEARBORN, Mich., May 21, 2012 – Ford Mustang has reached another iconic milestone, but this time it’s a virtual one – surpassing 4 million fans on Facebook, making it the most popular nameplate vehicle on the world’s largest social network.
  
  Growing at a rate of approximately 14,000 fans a day, Ford head of social media Scott Monty attributes Mustang’s meteoric rise to the legacy of a brand with almost 50 years of content. “We are very fortunate to have such a passionate fan base,” said Monty. “Every fan, owner and enthusiast – regardless of age – feels a connection with Mustang, and that affinity is reciprocated through the online content we share with them.”
  
  A balanced approach of paid, owned and earned media
  While passionate fans make up the majority of the Facebook page’s success, Ford also uses paid digital media to continue to grow the Mustang tribe. For example, leveraging the times Facebook users log out, Ford – in partnership with Facebook – created a unique digital video ad unit that played the popular 2013 Mustang commercial that debuted during the Daytona 500. The video was viewed more than 1 million times during the lifetime of the ad on Facebook. This resulted in more than 80,000 “likes,” which significantly increased ad recall and attitudinal measures.
  
  Additional engagement tactics include integration of the Mustang Customizer into Facebook, as well as a 2013 Mustang reveal application that used fan “likes” to release images prior to the car’s debut at the Los Angeles auto show last year. The greater the affinity fans showed the Mustang page, the more images were provided.
  
  Ford also uses the power of hosted Facebook chats to connect its Mustang fans with a range of subject matter experts. SVT Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi and Chief Marketing Officer and Mustang enthusiast Jim Farley have hosted chats. Industry icons such as the late Carroll Shelby was Ford’s special guest last November, interacting with hundreds of fans on the Mustang Facebook page.
  
  Ford Digital Marketing Manager Thomais Zaremba sums it up best: “Facebook is a social network that exceeds 750 million users. We know there are more Mustang fans out there, and we look forward to inviting them to our Facebook community.
  
  “We’ll see everyone at 5 million,” she adds.
  

Ford Begins Taking Orders for C-MAX Hybrid – America’s Most Affordable, Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Utility Vehicle

• Ford dealers are now taking orders for the Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which will be more affordable than Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy.


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  Class-exclusive technologies include hands-free liftgate, active park assist for easier parallel parking and next-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide to help customers increase their fuel economy.


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  C-MAX will launch this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013.
  
  DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2012 – Ford dealers are starting to place orders for America’s most affordable and fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle – the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid – with innovative technologies such as a hands-free liftgate, spaciousness for five passengers and cargo as well as the fun-to-drive character shared with well-handling cars including Ford Focus.
  
  The C-MAX is a compact hybrid utility vehicle and the company’s first dedicated line of hybrids. The 2013 C-MAX Hybrid will be available this fall with a base price of $25,995 – approximately $500 lower than the Toyota Prius v’s base price.
  
  The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will follow later this year with better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.
  
  “C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”
  
  The C-MAX Hybrid blends fuel economy with performance, with projected best-in-class horsepower and torque along with Ford’s third-generation powersplit technology that allows for higher speed while in electric mode than Toyota Prius v.
  
  C-MAX Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within.
  
  That means that along with SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, drivers get class-exclusive features like hands-free liftgate (offering hands-free cargo access with a simple kicking motion), SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, regenerative braking and an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery pack that is being used for the first time in a Ford hybrid.
  
  C-MAX Hybrid – being built on Ford’s global C-segment platform – also benefits from a proven design and nameplate with more than 156,000 units of the gasoline version sold in Europe since its 2010 launch.
  
  Room to move
  C-MAX Hybrid is a compact hybrid utility vehicle jam-packed with features and room for five people and cargo.
  
  The vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs. 39.6/38.6 inches).
  
  For cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats that easily fold flat with 54.3 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind the second row.
  
  Tech-savvy
  C-MAX Hybrid features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, allowing for quick and easy access to the cargo area without messing with 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 close the liftgate.
  
  The vehicle also features the newest version of MyFord Touch to help inform, enlighten, engage and empower drivers. MyFord Touch 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.
  
  C-MAX Hybrid also offers the next generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. Designed to help drivers get the most from the C-MAX Hybrid, 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.
  
  The left cluster also shows Brake Coach, a feature that helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.
  
  
  Quality and ingenuity
  The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is new, but its software and hardware technology have been evolving for nearly two decades.
  
  C-MAX Hybrid is powered through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses 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 motor of the C-MAX Hybrid is powered by an advanced li-ion battery system 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.
  
  C-MAX Hybrid also offers 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 can recapture 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.
  
  Made in U.S.A.
  C-MAX Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be found online here.
  
  It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North America in 2012. In addition to C-MAX Energi, the other vehicles include Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. More information about Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup can also be found online here.
  
  Customers interested in C-MAX Hybrid should visit here. A video featuring C-MAX can be viewed online by clicking here