Ford C-Max Is Fastest-Selling Hybrid Ever at Launch

DEARBORN -- Ford's new C-Max has become the fastest-selling hybrid ever at launch, with 8,030 sales in its first two full months on the market in October and November.

This significantly outpaces Toyota Camry Hybrid's 7,300 sales in its first two full months in May and June 2006.

C-Max hybrids also are selling three times faster than the combined sales for the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight when launched in 2000.

Ford sold 8,999 C-Max hybrids through November, a figure projected to surpass by 40 percent through December the combined Prius and Insight launch sales of 9,350 in 2000. C-Max sales would represent four months compared to the initial combined 18 months of Prius and Insight sales.

"Dealers are seeing an overwhelmingly positive response to C-Max hybrids and are excited to finally take on Prius, with some offering comparison test drives right on their lots," says C.J. O'Donnell, group marketing manager, electrification. "Our customers also are excited to have a fresh hybrid option, with leading fuel economy that does not sacrifice driving fun, performance and technology -- choices typically not offered with hybrids."

Ford achieved its best electrified vehicle sales month ever in November with a total of 7,157 sales, with C-Max hybrids acting as the driving force behind the milestone. Ford is projecting an all-time record quarter for hybrid sales at December close. More than half of Ford's hybrid sales this year are expected to come in the final quarter of the year as the company continues to ramp up production of Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

C-Max hybrid sales totaled 4,848 in November, up 52 percent month-over-month. November marked the first month both C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid were available on dealer lots.

New vehicle buyers across the industry rate good fuel economy as the No. 1 purchase reason according to Ford research conducted by Maritz.

Consumer adoption of hybrid technologies has slowly grown over the last several years, but research shows 60 percent of today's buyers are considering hybrid vehicles. And, for the first time ever, electrified vehicle sales captured nearly 4 percent of the total industry in November.

"Fuel economy has become the No. 1 purchase consideration as customers try to save money at the pump," says O'Donnell. "C-Max hybrids highlight Ford's commitment to offer customers the power to choose leading fuel economy across our lineup."

With the highest conquest rate in the Ford lineup at 64 percent, C-Max hybrids continue to draw new customers to the Ford brand. Toyota Prius is the No. 1 competitive trade-in, followed by Honda CR-V -- demonstrating early appeal with both hybrid buyers as well as more mainstream customers.

C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid comprise Ford's first-ever dedicated hybrid range. C-Max hybrids headline Ford's transformed lineup, which features eight models with 40 mpg or more, building on the company's commitment to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the power of choice.

More information about C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi can be found at www.ford.com/cars/cmax/.