Can Ford C-MAX Hybrid Beat Toyota Prius v?
According to Ford Motor Company, its new C-MAX Hybrid will come with projected fuel economy of 47 mpg city – beating the Toyota Prius v by 3 mpg, plus a $1,300-lower base price. It was announced today, July 5.
The segment for small hybrids such as the C-MAX Hybrid and Prius accounts for 65 percent of all hybrid sales, says Ford. It expects about half of C-MAX buyers to be conquest customers trading in competitive models.
Ford says it has simultaneously increased hybrid efficiency and performance while reducing cost. The result is an expected payback period of two years for the hybrid technology premium compared with leading small crossovers, it claims.
This is about half of the four-year period Ford research shows could trigger more mainstream hybrid sales.
[ Also Read: How to Drive Digital and Social Cars ]Meanwhile Toyota recently launched the marketing campaign for the Prius c, the new member of the Prius Family.
“The Game of Life with Prius c” demonstrates key vehicle attributes in a fun and approachable way that aims to appeal to first-time car buyers looking for a fuel-efficient and tech-savvy solution to their transportation needs, says the company. (Read: Toyota Debuts Digital Campaign for New Prius c)
“The C-MAX Hybrid builds on Ford’s 20 years of hybrid innovation and fuel-efficient offerings to take on Prius v with better city fuel economy at 47 mpg and at better value – a great chance for us to shake up the hybrid market,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development for Ford.
[ Also Read: Ford to Woo Young Families with C-MAX ]Ford says its research highlights other ways in which hybrids could become more mainstream. The gap in average income between hybrid and conventional vehicle buyers has decreased by half – from about $30,000 to $15,000 – in the past few years.
The company says C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v.
C-MAX Hybrid is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles and currently available for order at select dealerships.
Photo courtesy: Ford Motor Company
