Ford to release C-Max Hybrid and Plug-in Electric by 2013

Ford says that both hybrid and plug-in electric versions is likely to be built at their factory in Valencia, Spain, which will receive up to US$410 million in investment from the company over the next three years. Ford will also use the Valencia plant to produce a new Grand C-Max model for North America by late 2011.

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

The Ford C-Max Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle will be the latest additions to Ford's range of environmentally-friendly vehicles, which includes the fully battery-electric Ford Transit Connect and battery-electric version of the next Ford Focus that will be released in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Ford has plans to introduce another unnamed hybrid-electric model at a later date.

The next generation Ford C-Max, and its seven-seater sibling the Grand C-Max, is expected to go on sale across Europe by the end of this year, while the North American Grand C-Max will be sold from the end of 2011.