F Ford Motor Company

MIAMI, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford has tripled to more than 200 the number of dealers certified to sell plug-in electrified vehicles, including C-MAX Energi – Ford's first-ever plug-in hybrid
• More than 900 dealers are either certified or enrolled for certification, far outpacing Ford's original estimates for 350 total, with 25 percent of buyers placing plug-in hybrids on their shopping lists
• Ford plans certified dealers in all 50 states by early 2013 when the new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid arrives, adding to one of the industry's most fuel-efficient lineups that beats Toyota in fuel economy in every segment where both compete
• 2013 C-MAX Energi is America's most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid – certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer the equivalent of 105 miles per gallon (MPGe) combined – 5 MPGe more than Prius Plug-in

Ford has tripled to more than 200 the number of dealers certified to sell its lineup of plug-in electrified vehicles, including the new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid that is on sale now and delivers the equivalent of 105 mpg combined in electric mode, beating the Toyota Prius Plug-in by 5 MPGe.

Ford's plug-in electrified vehicle dealer growth comes as the number of new vehicle shoppers considering plug-in hybrids has grown to 25 percent. In total, 900 dealers are either certified or enrolled for certification, nearly triple Ford's initial plans for about 350 certified dealers by early 2013.

Ford vehicles now deliver better fuel economy than Toyota in every segment in which the two companies compete with the launches of the new Escape, Fusion and C-MAX hybrids.

"Ford's strategy to deliver the power of choice for leading fuel economy across our lineup seems very well timed as our customers and dealers are showing significant interest in vehicles such as the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid," says C.J. O'Donnell, Ford Electrified Vehicle Marketing manager. "C-MAX Energi joins C-MAX Hybrid to help Ford take on Prius for the first time, with great early signs as the hybrid outsold Prius v in its first full month of sales in October."

The first 67 certified dealers were in California, New York and New Jersey and have been selling the Focus Electric since spring. By early 2013, Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi will be joined by Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – expected to be the world's most fuel-efficient sedan by achieving more than 100 MPGe in electric mode – and available at certified dealers nationwide.

Greener dealers selling greener vehicles

Certification means the dealerships have met the automaker's guidelines for dealers selling electric vehicles – including installation of at least two onsite charging stations and participation in highly specialized training in the field of electric vehicles.

"The amount of hard work and resources dealers put into becoming certified really is a testament to how excited they are, how excited customers are, and how excited we are about C-MAX Energi," said Paul Russell, Ford's field operations manager.

To become certified to sell America's most fuel-efficient and affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, dealers first had to satisfy a list of other requirements, including:

• One of the two required charging stations at the dealership must be in the customer area and the other must be in the service area
• At least one Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi must be available at all times for demonstrations and events
• Of the sales consultant, sales manager, service advisor and service manager jobs at each location, 80 percent must meet specific electric vehicle training certification requirements that cover topics including advanced knowledge of electrification
• Each showroom will have point-of-purchase display materials including digital assets and window signage
• Participation in a Ford Go Green Dealer Onsite Facility Assessment to identify energy- and cost-saving opportunities with a goal of facilitating energy efficiency, lower operating expenses and carbon footprint reduction

Fuel efficiency for all

By early 2013, Ford will be the first automaker to sell three plug-in electrified vehicles when the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid arrives. In total, Ford is launching five new electrified vehicles, including:

• C-MAX Hybrid: The country's most fuel-efficient and affordable hybrid utility vehicle is now the best-selling hybrid utility vehicle after outselling Prius v, 3,182 units to 2,769 units, in just its first full month of sales in October. C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city, highway and combined – up to 7 mpg better than Prius v – plus 50 more horsepower and 15 exclusive technologies
• C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: America's most fuel-efficient and affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle, Ford's first production plug-in hybrid delivers a class-leading 108 MPGe city EPA rating, 21 miles of all-electric range that's more than triple Prius plug-in's six miles, and 620 miles of overall range on a tank of gas. The vehicle's "real car" performance includes 195 horsepower (versus Prius plug-in's 134 horsepower), engaging driving dynamics and a quiet interior – all with a leading EV-only speed of 85 mph, 20 mph above the Prius plug-in
• Fusion Hybrid: EPA-rated 47 mpg city, highway and combined, up to 6 mpg better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid combined
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid (will begin production by the end of this year): Aims to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world with more than 100 MPGe
• Focus Electric: America's most fuel-efficient five-passenger car, with an EPA-certified 110 MPGe city rating and 105 MPGe combined, beating Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe while offering more motor power and more standard features

Production of the C-MAX Energi began in October 2012 at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. More information about MAP – the only plant in the world to produce five vehicles each with its own unique fuel-efficient powertrain – can be found here. More information about Ford's electrified vehicle lineup can be found online here.

Ford fuel economy leaders

Ford beats Toyota in every segment where both compete, including:

Cars and electrified vehicles

• C-MAX Hybrid at 47 mpg combined beats Prius v by 7 mpg in the compact hybrid utility segment
• C-MAX Energi at 100 MPGe combined beats Prius plug-in by 5 MPGe in the plug-in hybrid market
• Fiesta SFE at 40 mpg highway beats Toyota Yaris by 3 mpg in the subcompact segment
• Focus SFE at 40 mpg highway beats Corolla by 6 mpg in the compact segment
• Focus Electric at 110 MPGe city does not have a Toyota competitor
• Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost^® at 37 mpg highway beats Camry by 2 mpg in the midsize sedan segment
• Fusion Hybrid at 47 mpg highway beats Camry Hybrid by 9 mpg in the midsize hybrid sedan segment
• Taurus 2.0-liter EcoBoost at 32 mpg highway beats Avalon by 4 mpg in the full-size sedan segment

Crossovers, trucks and SUVs

• Escape 1.6-liter EcoBoost at 33 mpg highway beats RAV4 by 5 mpg in the small crossover segment
• Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost at 28 mpg highway beats Highlander by 3 mpg in the midsize crossover segment (Note: Flex 3.5-liter EcoBoost ties Highlander)
• Expedition at 20 mpg highway beats Sequoia by 2 mpg in the full-size SUV segment
• Edge 2.0-liter EcoBoost at 30 mpg highway beats Venza by 4 mpg in the midsize crossover segment
• F-150 3.5-liter EcoBoost at 22 mpg highway beats Tundra by 2 mpg in the full-size pickup segment

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company