Ford Motor to introduce two new hybrid models

Ford Motor Co. is planning to take on Toyota Motor Corp. by adding two new hybrid models of its own next year. The U.S.-based automaker said its C-MAX hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will outperform similar Toyota models in fuel economy. Ford says the C-MAX hybrid, a wagon-like hatchback, will achieve better combined fuel economy than the similarly sized Prius v hybrid wagon, now on sale, which is rated to go 42 miles on a gallon of gas in combined highway and city driving. Ford also says its C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid will achieve higher mileage than the 87 miles per gallon equivalent that Toyota is advertising for its plug-in version of the Prius. The price of the new models have not yet been disclosed. Ford will begin selling the C-MAX hybrid sometime after June 2012, followed by the C-MAX Energi later in the year. (December 15, 2011)