Ford Motor has started production of the new C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicle at its Michigan assembly plant (MAF) in the US.
By the end of 2012, the automaker intends to deliver eight vehicles for US customers which are claimed to deliver 40 mpg or more.
Of the total eight vehicles, four will be built at the Michigan assembly plant which include C-MAX Energi, C-MAX Hybrid, Focus Electric and Focus SE with super fuel economy (SFE).
C-MAX Energi has a horsepower of 195 and EV-only speed of 85 mph, compared to Prius plug-in's 134 horsepower and EV-only speed of 65 mph.
C-MAX Hybrid delivers 7 mpg better compared to the Toyota Prius v on the highway for a 47 mpg combined rating.
Focus Electric is a zero-emission battery electric vehicle and will provide 105 MPGe combined, compared to Nissan Leaf's 6 MPGe.
Ford vice president of North America manufacturing Jim Tetreault said, "Michigan Assembly Plant is setting a new global standard for flexible manufacturing, and is a central part of Ford's important milestone, sweeping Toyota across the board for fuel economy leadership."
In May 2009, Ford had revealed that it will invest $550m to overhaul the Michigan Assembly Plant, which manufactured the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full-size SUVs.
