Ford Motor Co.'s C-MAX Hybrid is expected  to get 47 mpg city, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology - all at a $1,300-lower base price. The C-MAX, which is due out this fall,  is Ford’s first entry in the largest hybrid segment and is expected to attract a large percentage of conquest and mainstream buyers with the segment’s lowest payback period of two years compared with leading small crossovers
The segment for small hybrids such as the C-MAX Hybrid and Prius accounts for 65 percent of all hybrid sales. Ford expects about half of C-MAX buyers to be conquest customers trading in competitive models.
Ford 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. This is about half of the four-year period Ford research shows could trigger more mainstream hybrid sales.
“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. “C-MAX Hybrid delivers 3 mpg more than Prius v with 50 more horsepower and exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate - and the $1,300-lower base price means the payback period will be the smallest in the segment,”  he said. By Joseph Szczesny