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Underscoring its commitment to fuel economy leadership, Ford Motor Company
(NYSE: F) today said it is upgrading the 2014 Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which will go
on sale in December. The company also is changing the way it tests and labels
the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid for fuel economy to better match performance and improve
customer satisfaction.
The upgrades build on powertrain software updates Ford announced last month
for the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid. The 2014 C-MAX also will benefit from several
hardware changes, including:
o Gearing changes that result in a more efficient transmission drive ratio
o New hood seal, front and rear tire deflectors, A-pillar moldings and the
addition of rear lift gate deflectors to improve vehicle aerodynamics
o New engine oil with reduced friction
The enhancements to the 2014 C-MAX Hybrid are expected to improve customers'
on-road fuel economy, especially at highway speeds.
"Ford is absolutely committed to being a leader in the hybrid market and to
top fuel efficiency across our lineup," said Raj Nair, group vice president,
global product development. "We are taking actions with our popular C-MAX
Hybrid so that customers are even more satisfied with the vehicle's on-road
fuel efficiency performance."
The variability of on-road fuel economy is greater for hybrids than for
conventional vehicles. Relatively small differences in driver behavior and
driving conditions can have a significant effect on the degree to which a
hybrid's gasoline engine is used for propulsion, which affects fuel
efficiency.
Changes to C-MAX Hybrid fuel economy labeling process
In addition to improving the vehicle itself, Ford is changing the way it
generates the miles-per-gallon label for C-MAX Hybrid going forward.
Previously – and consistent with EPA's General Label rules – testing of the
Fusion Hybrid was used to generate fuel economy labels for a family of
vehicles, including both Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid. The result was the
same fuel economy label values for both vehicles.
While the company could continue to use EPA's General Label for C-MAX Hybrid,
Ford voluntarily has decided to test and label C-MAX Hybrid separately going
forward. The result will be a lower miles-per-gallon label for the 2013 C-MAX
Hybrid. Testing to generate a label for the 2014 C-MAX Hybrid is not yet
complete.
The revised 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid label will carry a class-leading EPA
combined fuel economy value of 43 mpg – topping the combined label value of 42
mpg for the Toyota Prius v.
Because this voluntary step results in miles-per-gallon values different from
the original C-MAX Hybrid label, Ford also is making a goodwill payment to
current C-MAX Hybrid owners for the estimated average fuel cost of the
difference between the two labels. Customers who purchased their vehicle will
receive a check from Ford for $550. Customers who leased their vehicle will
receive a check for $325.
Existing customers will be notified by mail, and Ford is working with dealers
to re-label vehicles on dealer lots. Customers with questions can contact the
Ford Customer Relationship Center at
http://corporate.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/contact-ford, or
+1-800-392-3673.
Strong C-MAX customer reaction
Customer response to Ford C-MAX is strong. In fact, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX
Energi plug-in hybrid are driving record U.S. electrified vehicle sales. Ford
sold 53,014 electrified vehicles through July – 392 percent higher than a year
ago. Two-thirds of buyers are coming from imports.
In addition, the latest J.D. Power APEAL study shows C-MAX Hybrid is scoring
high with customers. Engine responsiveness, smoothness, passing
power/acceleration, interior quietness and visibility all rank significantly
higher than the segment average. Customers also report C-MAX is "more
luxurious" and "more innovative," as well as more environmentally friendly.
Ford's electrified vehicle market share through the first seven months of this
year is 15.4 percent – a 12-point increase compared with the same period last
year.
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