Ford C-Max: North American Bound?
The Ford C-Max is a five passenger multi-purpose vehicle that is built and sold in Europe. The second generation model will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show with an announcement that the vehicle is heading to North America pending.
In advance of its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the next generation Ford C-Max is generating a lot of buzz for Ford. Based on the same platform powering the all new Ford Focus, the C-Max is a compact multi-purpose vehicle, smaller than any crossover currently in Ford’s North American fleet.
Six European Models Heading Stateside
When the Ford Motor Company announced in 2008 that it would bring as many as six European designed vehicles to the American market, we quickly learned that the Transit Connect, Fiesta and Focus would be part of the first wave. The tiny Ka was mentioned by some automotive analysts as well as the Kuga, a midsize MPV.
But Ford has several other models which could come to North America, including the C-Max. Yesterday, word began to seep out online that the C-Max will head to our shores, an announcement Ford has yet to publicly confirm. Auto Trends believes that the C-Max announcement will either coincide with the Frankfurt unveiling or be handled separately in advance of the show.
Yet Another Thrifty Ford
No matter, if rumors about the C-Max are true, then Ford will have yet another thrifty, but roomy passenger vehicle available for sale. Sporting a steeply raked windshield, the C-Max offers seating for up to five passengers and is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine. However, for the American market, expect Ford to put a slightly larger 2.0L I4 engine underneath the hood, perhaps pairing it with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Interestingly, the Ford C-Max could end up being one of the first Ford models to be paired with Ford’s upcoming 2.0L EcoBoost I4 engine, which would give the MPV V6 power while retaining I4 fuel economy. That engine will likely find its way under the hood of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan first, with the C-Max and perhaps the Focus also offering that option.
Currently built in Germany, will the North American introduction of the Ford C-Max coincide with building the car in Mexico? If so, the Focus, Fiesta and C-Max would all be built in Mexico for export to the United States and Canada.
Photo Courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.
Another good example of how Ford is on the move and making great product decisions. And just think, this wasn’t one of Obama’s ideas either.
Thankfully it appears that Ford will survive this latest downturn without Government “help”. Probably because of no government help.
Bob, no doubt that when it comes to it, Ford is doing a much better job than General Motors or Chrysler in building cars that people really want. And, thanks in no small part to avoiding government takeover, Ford has the freedom to do basically what they want to do with the political set in DC dictating terms.