Ford has said that its Valencia plant in Spain will build hybrid models for European customers with two advanced technology derivatives of the new five-seat Ford C-MAX compact multi-activity model to be launched in 2013 – a full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
As part of the company’s global sourcing strategy, the Valencia Plant also will produce the seven-seat version of the C-MAX for export to North America beginning in late 2011.
Total investment in the new Ford C-MAX program in Spain over the next three years, including the hybrid models, is almost $410m. Investment in the hybrid programs is expected to be up to $36m.
The Spanish government and Valencia regional administration are providing grant support in line with European Union requirements.
The program supports the Spanish government and Valencia regional administration’s goal of establishing Spain and the Valencia region as important centers for advanced research and development in environmental engineering.
The recent development marks Ford’s commitment to extend its global electrified vehicles strategy and introduce five Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid models in Europe by 2013.
The C-MAX HEV and PHEV models will join the full battery-electric Ford Transit Connect and a battery-electric derivative of Ford Focus, due in 2012. The fifth vehicle will also be a hybrid-electric model and will be announced at a later time.
The new five-seat Ford C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX models are the first of at least ten new models or derivatives that the company will launch around the world based on its new global C-segment platform – Ford’s One Ford platform.
Ford’s C-segment vehicles will be sold in more than 120 markets and will account for more than two million units annually. The C-segment accounts for one-in-four cars sold worldwide today and, in conjunction with the B-segment, is expected to rise to 50% of all cars sold globally by 2013.
The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models go on sale across Europe during the second half of 2010, while the seven-seat version of the C-MAX model for North America will go into production in Valencia in late 2011.
John Fleming, chairman and CEO of Ford, Europe, said: “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.
”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.”