STERLING HEIGHTS (AP) – Ford is making a minivan that will become its first U.S. vehicle sold only as a hybrid.

Ford sells hybrid versions of some gas-powered cars, but it’s got nothing like the Toyota Prius, which is only sold as a hybrid.
Ford’s minivan is based on a five-passenger van, the C-Max, which is already sold in Europe but runs on gasoline.

Ford had planned to introduce a seven-passenger, gas-powered C-Max in the U.S. next year. But it’s scrapping that so it can build more hybrid-only C-Maxes. The van goes on sale next year.

The minivan will get more than 41 miles per gallon. A plug-in version will also be sold. It will be similar to the Chevrolet Volt, which can drive in all-electric mode but has a backup gas engine.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.