Posts Tagged ‘Ford C-Max hybrid’

Ford’s new C-Max hybrid above average but still only a B

The best compact utility vehicle?

Particularly in terms of Ford’s overall hybrid effort

The upcoming Ford C-Max hybrid is easily Ford’s best hybrid offering, and I believe, one of the best overall new vehicles coming on the market. Akin to the Toyota Prius V, the C-Max utility hybrid promises a better and more powerful driving experience, better fuel economy and a lower price compared to V. Perfect, right? Yes.

But the V isn’t driving Toyota’s stellar hybrid sales, the conventional Prius still is, and the conventional Prius — or at least the Prius family — is the metric, the benchmark, the standard. Thus, this ‘we’re better than Toyota’ angle, unfortunately, feels a little contrived and begs a few questions. Read more…

Ford C-Max hybrid: Two hybrid steps forward, but one backward

C-Max: Two hybrid steps forward?

C-Max hybrid versus the Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid

For many years now, Ford has done quite a bit of hybrid talking, but Ford’s hybrid results have never matched up to the rhetoric. Even when the Ford Fusion hybrid topped Toyota Camry hybrid fuel economy, the buzz fell short. Not only did the Fusion hybrid cost a good chunk more for this extra fuel economy compared to the Camry hybrid, but real world testing often found little difference in fuel economy between these two hybrid rivals, making the extra costs even harder to swallow

And while Ford’s next big hybrid move, the C-Max, seems like a great hybrid step forward, the fact that Ford is discontinuing the Escape hybrid is a bit of, I hate to say it, a step backward. Read more…

Some Energi needed for a Ford dividend

Exactly the kind of Energi Ford needs today

Plugging into better Consumer Report’s ratings

Boy, last week the news regarding Ford was how close the company was moving towards investment grade and the near term possibility of a dividend. Even CNBC Fast Money’s Joe Terranova had become a long term Ford bull.

Then today, Ford dropped 10 spots in reliability according to Consumer Reports. But, at least the Ford Fusion hybrid was a bright spot according to CR.

So, maybe a bit more hybrid Energi is just what Ford needs? Read more…

Best new hybrids and plug-ins of 2012

Despite its mild hybrid credentials, the Malibu eAssist could electrify 2012

With the help of Fortune

Fortune Magazine has offered up its Most Anticipated Cars of 2012 list which includes a number of hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles, including the Ford C-Max, Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, as well as the BMW 3 and the Chevy Malibu — both of which will include a new hybrid versions.

And almost all of these new vehicles offers a pretty interesting 2012 story. Read more…

C-Max hybrid: Time for Ford to take a stand

Shelve the C-Max if its not a legitimate Prius-contender

Ford’s hybrid program has been too much talk not enough walk

Over the years Ford has made quite a few big promises regarding its green intentions and desire to become a leader in hybrid cars. Of course most of this hype predates current CEO Alan Mulally. Under Mulally, fuel economy has still been a focus, but instead of hybrid technology, Mulally has focused on Ecoboost and small cars.

But the new C-Max hybrid promises to change that, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Read more…

Is Ford having some hybrid doubts?

A non-hybrid prototype of the C-Max hybrid

Is hybrid enough for C-Max?

When it comes to hybrid cars, Ford has up to now talked a better game than it has played. However, since CEO Alan Mulally took the reigns at Ford, hybrid hyped has been tempered.

Recently, Ford announced that the new C-Max will be Ford’s first hybrid-only brand, at least in the US, including an eventual plug-in version.

So, why is Ford testing a non-hybrid prototype in the US? Read more…

Prius-fighting: Is Ford’s C-Max hybrid up to the task?

Will Ford's Prius-fighter be up to the task?

C-Maximizing Ford’s hybrid sales

By 2013 Ford hopes to triple its hybrid sales to 100,000 units per year with the upcoming C-Max hybrid leading the way.

“This is our Prius fighter,” recently stated Ford Marketing Chief Jim Farley.

But do the numbers add up? Read more…

Ford’s first hybrid-only model to be a minivan in 2012, plug optional

C-Max to be a hybrid-only model in the US

Taking on the Prius V

Later this year Toyota will launch the Prius V, a larger minivan-like Prius. Next year, Ford will launch its own minivan-like hybrid, the C-Max, and it will be Ford’s first hybrid-only model, at least in the US.

Currently, Ford offers the C-Max in Europe and planned to offer a 7-passenger version of the gasoline powered C-Max in the US. Ford has since decided to focus on a hybrid-only version instead for the US market. Read more…

C-Maxing Ford’s battery-powered solutions

The Ford C-Max hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid

Ford’s C-Max hybrid and C-Max Energi Plug-in hybrid

When it comes to the next few decades of the auto industry, one thing is quite clear. No one powertrain is going to dominate the auto industry, especially in terms of the ICE alternative space, and Ford seems to clearly understand this reality.

Consequently, Ford’s new C-Max hybrid and C-Max Energi Plug-in hybrid help fill in the missing pieces of Ford’s battery powered playbook. Read more…