Ford C-Max Sales Decline Post-Fuel Economy Revision

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Sales of the Ford C-Max have down as of late, with lowered fuel economy figures cited as the reason.

Autoblog reports sales of the hybrid from January through march 2014 were 42.5 percent from the previous year as 5,566 — 2,295 of which were sold in March alone — have left the lot.

After a number of lawsuits alleged the C-Max couldn’t meet the initial fuel economy numbers in the real world, Ford lowered the numbers to 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 43 mpg combined, down from the 47 mpg throughout the range originally proclaimed.

Ford Americas chief Joe Hinrichs is aware of the decline in sales, and says his company needs to “reinvest in the product because [the C-Max] is a great car,” while Ford itself believed sales would remain strong despite the controversy surrounding the fuel economy figures.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Mnm4ever Mnm4ever on Apr 23, 2014

    I think the problem is that it's ugly. It has the odd proportions of a tall wagon and those never sold well outside the granola crowd.

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    • Bball40dtw Bball40dtw on Apr 24, 2014

      @EMedPA More cargo room than the Focus, less than the Escape. The C-Max has basically the same cargo space as the Cherokee.

  • Kyree Kyree on Apr 23, 2014

    Those are still great numbers for a vehicle with this kind of interior volume. I don't know why people have such kneejerk reactions in these situations. And I would say that it's fairly-priced, too. That said, I do wish they'd have gone with the original plan to import the (prettier-looking) Grand C-Max.

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    • Nguyenvuminh Nguyenvuminh on Apr 24, 2014

      Kyree, yeah, I was really disappointed when Ford changed their mind about selling the Grand C-Max in the US. My key decision factors were the sliding door and flexible 3 row seating. I got excited about hybrid engine, then Ford changed their mind.

  • Ion Ion on Apr 23, 2014

    I feel like the C-max is due for a refresh. Didn't it come out before or during the current Focus' debut.

  • Eslz6 Eslz6 on Apr 24, 2014

    I've had my C-max since 12/2012 and it has been reliable & great fun to drive. My summer mileage is in the 46-47 range & in winter weather in Maine, with snow tires, it gets about 38-39. The electronics had a few wonky problems in the beginning, but that has straightened out. All in all, it has been a comfortable car with a lot of intuitive features built in. And I love he headroom & fittings!

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