Autoblog

Ford cancels seven-passenger C-Max for U.S., focuses solely on Hybrid and Energi models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Ford, Electric

2012 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turns out Americans won't be getting another crack at a Euro-style mini minivan. Ford has officially canceled plans for its seven-passenger C-Max for the United States. Fans of small-in-stature MPVs may still be able to find what they are looking for in the Mazda5, but definitely not in Ford dealerships.

The retraction of the seven-seater means the U.S. market will be left with the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi electric vehicle. These vehicles eschew the minivan-spec sliding side doors in favor of four regularly hinged portals and a rear hatchback. The Hybrid is expected to boast better than 41 miles per gallon on the highway, while the plug-in Energi promises to boast 500 miles of driving range from its battery and gasoline engine combined, along with better fuel efficiency than the Chevrolet Volt. We look forward to verifying those claims.

Ford is keen to point out that the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi (yep, spelled with an 'i') models will be built alongside its 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. Why is that important? Assuming all goes to plan, Wayne will be the first plant in the world to produce gasoline-powered vehicles, full-electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids under the same roof.

If you'd like, you're free to peruse the official press release after the break, which is not surprisingly focused much more on the two promised green-mobile five-seaters than on the death of the seven-seater. Now, if you'll excuse us for a moment, we're going to don our solid-black Sunday Bests and mourn the passing of Ford's planned seven-seater. Poor thing never even had a chance...

Continue reading Ford cancels seven-passenger C-Max for U.S., focuses solely on Hybrid and Energi models

Ford cancels seven-passenger C-Max for U.S., focuses solely on Hybrid and Energi models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Videos, Crossover, Ford, Design/Style

2012 Ford Grand C-Max: Disappearing middle seat - Click above to watch video after the jump

We recently spent some time with the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max and came away with mixed feelings about it. It's an excellent compact minivan, but that's a low-volume segment and we're unsure of how well the Grand C-Max will sell here. One particular feature we do know people will be impressed by is the disappearing middle seat found in the second row.

Ford engineers designed the Grand C-Max so that the second-row middle seat folds out of sight into a compartment under the adjacent seat cushion. Doing so opens up a clear passageway to the third row seating. Also, both rear seating rows fold flat to accommodate sizable cargo loads. To see it all in action, check out the video after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Ford via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat

Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max

Chris Paukert — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Ford, First Drives

The Blue Oval Boys Bet Big By Going Small

2012 Ford Grand C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Historically speaking, the Ford Motor Company has been successful at a great many things, but building minivans hasn't been one of them. Perpetually mired in the shadow of offerings from Chrysler and Japan's automakers, the Blue Oval folded up its sliding-door tent and went home years ago, killing off its undersized Mercury Villager in 2002 and then extinguishing the Windstar-turned-Freestar (and its short-lived Mercury Monterey counterpart) in 2007. Brand supporters will doubtlessly note that the family-ferrying segment was in decline for some years before Dearborn walked away from it, but the truth is that Ford never managed to crack the market's top ranks despite more than 15 years of trying.

So why, then, is red-hot Ford risking a return to the segment in 2012 with the Grand C-Max shown here - a vehicle that's conspicuously smaller and less powerful than the segment norm? Do they know something that we don't? We hopped a puddle jumper to Nice, France after covering last week's Paris Motor Show in an attempt to find out.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max

First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll]

Chris Paukert — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Following the second press day at the Paris Motor Show at a drive event in Southern France, Ford's global vice president of marketing, Jim Farley, let slip to Autoblog that Dearborn decisionmakers are mulling over whether to import the C-Max to the U.S. As you'll recall, Ford has already committed to bringing over the C-Max's larger line mate, the seven-seat Grand C-Max, a vehicle that Farley tells us won't hit American soil until early in calendar 2012 (likely as a 2013 model).

Unlike its bigger brother, the C-Max has conventional front-hinged rear doors (the Grand has a pair of sliders) along with a more aggressive roofline and rear graphic to complement its shorter wheelbase. Think of it as more of a pent-roof Focus wagon and less of a smallish minivan in the mold of the Mazda5 and you've got it.

Interestingly, Farley maintains that Ford won't necessarily wait until the Grand C-Max goes on sale in the U.S. to determine whether or not to bring the model to America, and it will actively solicit feedback from both journalists and consumers to see if there's a business case to be made. While such language is common among PR folks looking to assuage media members always clamoring for the importation of forbidden automotive fruit, Farley sounded quite optimistic. Further, he reminded us that there was "absolutely no plan" initially to market the next-gen five-door Focus in the States, but that all changed after the 2007 Verve concept was met with an enthusiastic response from media members and show goers. A few years ago, we probably would have discounted such talk, but with CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak pushing the One Ford agenda globally, who knows? It might just make it Stateside after all.

If Ford does decide to bring the C-Max to America, it may have a minor naming conundrum to deal with. At the moment, the Grand C-Max moniker is expected to be shortened to just 'C-Max' when it goes on sale in the U.S., or the MPV might take on the name 'Focus C-Max,' though a final decision has not yet been made. As the Blue Oval won't sell both models with the same name, the five-door model would ostensibly need a different name.

Do you think the short-wheelbase C-Max would sell? Check out our high-resolution galleries of both models and then be sure to vote in our poll below. We'll have firsthand drive impressions of the European-spec C-Max range to share with you next week, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Ford C-Max

Gallery: 2011 Ford Grand C-Max

View Poll

Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retooled Ford Wayne assembly plant to be company's most flexible

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Workers building pre-production 2012 Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is crowing that its freshly retooled Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI is now the most flexible final assembly factory in its global network. The Wayne plant used to assemble the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full-size SUVs but is now building pre-production examples of the 2012 Focus. One of the features touted by Ford for its new global C-segment platform is that it is driving down development cost by building 10 different bodystyles on the architecture using many of the same mechanical components.

At launch, the Wayne plant will build both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback variants, but those are expected to be joined by a new Lincoln compact and possibly variants like the Grand C-Max. Ford will also be building versions of these vehicles with conventional, hybrid and full battery electric powertrains. Over 80 percent of the equipment in the body shop is programmable and can run different body styles almost with the flip of a switch. Ford says this new flexibility will also allow it to quickly adjust its product mix to shifting market conditions.

Gallery: Ford Michigan Assembly Plant

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Retooled Ford Wayne assembly plant to be company's most flexible

Retooled Ford Wayne assembly plant to be company's most flexible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Ford announces new turbo'd 203-hp 2.0-liter for Mondeo

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Ford

Ford C-Max at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the more than 100 reveals at next month's Geneva Motor Show will be the new Ford C-Max and Grand C-Max. Referred to as "Multi-Activity Vehicles" by The Blue Oval, the two C-cars offer a five-seater in the C-Max and a seven-seater in its Grand sibling, that latter also providing twin sliding doors. Ford's Human Interface System bows as well, with new interactivity and operated through two five-way toggles on the steering wheel.

Beside those two debutantes will be a Ford Kuga with a new powertrain, getting a more powerful 163-horsepower, 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel, and an optional Powershift gearbox that emits less CO2. The Mondeo is another recipient of a heart transplant, benefiting from an all-new 203-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost SCTi gas engine. Follow the jump for all the information from Ford, and get your pre-Geneva high-res peek in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Ford C-Max at the Geneva Motor Show

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Ford announces new turbo'd 203-hp 2.0-liter for Mondeo

Geneva Preview: Ford announces new turbo'd 203-hp 2.0-liter for Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 10 Ford Focus variants coming to the U.S.

Chris Shunk — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:39:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford

Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the first-generation Ford Focus certainly had its faults, it was also ahead of its time, with engaging driving dynamics and a ton of different variations. You could get a Focus sedan, a three- or five-door hatch and even a wagon. For a few years there was even a high-revving SVT Focus (those were the days). While the current Focus is relegated to only sedan and coupe variants, the 2011 Focus will reportedly have a lot more options from which to choose.

Car and Driver recently sat down with Ford marketing chief Jim Farley, and when the subject of the Blue Oval's long awaited next-gen global Focus came up, Black Sheep's first cousin came up with the number 10. That's 10 as in the number of Focus variants we might expect here in the U.S. While Farley didn't go too far into which Focus variants will be available here, the list isn't difficult to guess.

One vehicle that we know has been given the green light for sale here in the U.S. is the Focus C-Max and Grand C-Max minivan, which will come in five- and seven-seat variations. Then there's the sedan and coupe, three- and five-door hatch, the promised Electric Focus, the Kuga crossover and possibly Lincoln and Mercury versions that will utilize Ford's global C-Segment platform. The next couple of years will be pretty interesting for Ford as it finally gets serious about small cars here in the U.S. With 10 Focus-based vehicles and an excellent new Fiesta, customers will finally have some solid small car choices from which to choose. The new Focus we've all been waiting for should make its global debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ford C-Max

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: 10 Ford Focus variants coming to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Ford C-Max debuts, Grand C-Max bound for American shores

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Minivan/Van, Ford

2010 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Among the many cars available here in Europe that we pine for Stateside, you may be surprised that Ford minivans rank among them. We got a ride in the Galaxy-based S-Max on our way back from driving the new Fiesta in Tuscany and were thoroughly impressed, and from what we hear its Focus-based kid brother C-Max isn't half bad either. But today Ford unveiled a new C-Max, and we need pine no more, for the compact MPV is headed our way. At least, the seven-seat Grand C-Max version is, anyway.

Echoing Chrysler's minivans, the new C-Max is available in two formats: standard wheelbase and long-wheelbase Grand C-Max. The five-seater (green at right) has a sportier appearance with conventional rear doors, while the seven-seater (above in silver) gets sliding doors and a plane ticket across the Atlantic. Both are based on Ford's new global C-segment platform that will underpin the next-generation Focus and offer clever packaging with a compelling adaptation of the Blue Oval's kinetic design language. See for yourself in the high-res gallery of live shots below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ford C-Max

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Ford C-Max debuts, Grand C-Max bound for American shores originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Ford Grand C-Max coming to North America in late 2011 [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:01:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Minivan/Van, Ford

Ford Grand C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Ford announced last year that it would build new global C-Segment cars in North America, it mentioned that a compact MPV would join our more traditional Focus models. With the introduction of the new seven-seat Grand C-Max at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Dearborn automaker has confirmed that this larger model will be the first addition to the North American lineup. Ford didn't rule out eventually adding the smaller five-seater, but wouldn't commit to that right now.

The Grand C-Max marks something of a return to the minivan space for Ford after the spectacular commercial failure of the Freestar a few years back. This time around, the Grand C-Max is just slightly larger than the current Mazda 5, which should make it about the same as the original short-wheelbase Chrysler minivans of the Eighties.

The Grand C-Max gets a novel middle row seat with a center section can fold down and collapse into a bundle that slides under the right hand section. This allows it to be transformed from a seven- to a six-seater, giving easy access to the third row. Of course, that third row will only be suitable for small kids and most owners are more likely to simply fold them flat and take advantage of the extra cargo space.

We expect the Grand C-Max to arrive on U.S. shores in late 2011, possibly carrying the "Focus Grand C-Max" title - a moniker which the Blue Oval used in Europe before truncating the name to "C-Max" after the vehicle gained consumer awareness. Check out the high-res image gallery above as well as a couple of videos and the official press release after the jump.

Check out the latest edition of the Autoblog Podcast as Ford's Mark Schirmer and Mark Kaufman join us to discuss the new C-Max, EcoBoost and the rest of the C-Segment vehicles.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Grand C-Max

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Ford Grand C-Max coming to North America in late 2011 [w/VIDEO]

Frankfurt 2009: Ford Grand C-Max coming to North America in late 2011 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Family Style: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max hits web ahead of Frankfurt rollout

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

2010 Ford Grand C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week, we gave you a sneak peek at Ford of Europe's new 2011 C-Max people mover. That Iosis Max-inspired "compact multi-activity vehicle" will officially debut in a few days at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the company's new global C-platform architecture that will underpin the next Ford Focus, the 2011 Ford C-Max will be powered by a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Beyond that we don't know much else about this tall hatch. What we do know is that it will be joined at the Messe by a bigger brother.

This morning, word (and official images) leaked out about the seven-seat, sliding door, extended version seen here - the 2010 Ford Grand C-Max. Looking a lot like its little sibling, the Grand C-Max is based on the same platform, with an extended wheelbase to house its three rows of seats. The greenhouse also gets tweaked in the taffy-pulling exercise, as does the roof. The biggest change is the use of the sliding rear doors, which make this Grand C-Max more like the Mazda5. We'll have further information as it's released and plenty of live pictures from Frankfurt when it is officially unveiled. Until then, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Grand C-Max

[Source: Ford via WorldCarFans]

Family Style: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max hits web ahead of Frankfurt rollout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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