Ford Delivers Best Hybrid Sales Quarter Ever as Fusion and C-MAX Hybrids Attract New Customers to Brand

DEARBORN, Mich., April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford's hybrid sales in the first quarter of the year totaled 21,080 vehicles, marking the first time Ford has sold more than 20,000 hybrids in a quarter; first-quarter hybrid sales increased by 324 percent
• First-quarter growth even higher in key markets; Fusion Hybrid sales up 518 percent in New York, 478 percent in Los Angeles and 325 percent in San Francisco
• Beyond fuel economy, design and technology are among the top reasons customers are choosing Fusion Hybrid over the competition, according to early buyer data from J.D. Power
• Fusion Hybrid is attracting the youngest buyer of any mid-size hybrid in the market today with 29 percent of customers under the age of 36

Ford delivered its best hybrid sales quarter ever in the first quarter of 2013 with sales totaling 21,080 vehicles – marking the first time Ford has sold more than 20,000 hybrids in a quarter. Ford's hybrid sales were up 324 percent nationally over 2012, achieving 16 percent share of the electrified vehicle market – up from 4 percent last year.

This was the first quarter in which Ford offered all four of its new hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, including Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi. Ford's first hybrid offerings went on sale in October 2004, nearly a decade ago. 

This record sales quarter was driven by the success of the C-MAX hybrids and Fusion hybrids. The all-new design, fuel efficiency and smart technology the company's new hybrids offer is attracting an entirely new group of customers to Ford showrooms.

Three out of four customers in key hybrid markets are coming from other brands. In addition to fueling a surge in sales of Ford's latest electrified vehicles, these customers are equipping their new rides with some of the most advanced technology on the market.

Ford hybrids attracting new buyers to the brand

One quarter of electrified vehicles sold in the United States in 2012 were purchased in California – more than any other state – and increasingly these customers are opting for a Ford-brand vehicle. Since the new 2013 Fusion Hybrid went on sale last fall, 73 percent of the car's customers in the Los Angeles area are new to the Ford brand. In the San Francisco area, 77 percent of Fusion Hybrid customers are coming from another brand.

Four months ago Los Angeles-based Eddie Sasaki replaced his Jeep Wrangler with a Fusion Hybrid after checking out the Chevrolet Volt and Kia Optima Hybrid. "I love the look of the Fusion," says Sasaki. "Fusion's overall appearance and value are what sold me." So far Sasaki is averaging about 42 mpg on his 40-mile daily commute.

Toyota remains the top conquest brand for both Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX hybrids. Initial sales data show C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi are also bringing new customers to Ford, with conquest rates remaining above 60 percent since the vehicles hit the market in 2012.

Even among consumers who are still car shopping, Ford hybrids have gained ground on the longtime market leader. According to data from consumer research site Edmunds.com, Ford's all-new Fusion Hybrid is already taking the lead over Toyota Camry Hybrid in purchase consideration. Meanwhile C-MAX hybrids – Ford's newest nameplate and first dedicated hybrid lineup – are showing consideration equal to Toyota Prius and purchase intent near equal to Prius, all while offering lower incentives than Toyota for both Camry Hybrid and Prius. The Prius and Honda CR-V remain the top two competitive trade-ins for C-MAX Hybrid.

Fusion hybrids are also attracting the youngest wave of customers in the midsize segment. More than one in five buyers of Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi are under 36 years old.

Ford's electrified vehicles are also attracting customers in areas that have traditionally shied away from hybrids, including Texas, Florida and the central region. One-third of all C-MAX sales are in the Midwest, where hybrid sales have historically been lower.

Hybrid customers want technology under the hood and in the cabin

Early buyer data from industry analytics firm J.D. Power indicate design and technology are among the top reasons customers are choosing Fusion Hybrid over the competition. Fusion's stunning new design grabs attention at first glance, while technologies including SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide, Lane-Keeping System, Driver Alert, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®) and SYNC^® with MyFord^® Touch help to close the deal.

Technology features highly sought after in Fusion Hybrid include:

• 70 percent of all Fusion Hybrids are equipped with the MyFord Touch package compared to just 50 percent on the conventional Fusion
• BLIS and Lane-Keeping System are installed on 31 percent of hybrids, double the rate of the conventional Fusion
• 12 percent of hybrid customers select active park assist, compared to 7 percent for the conventional Fusion

C-MAX Hybrid customers are also far more likely to load up their vehicles:

• Vehicles equipped with technology packages on C-MAX Hybrid move off dealer lots three times faster than those without
• 27 percent of C-MAX customers get the panoramic fixed-glass roof
• More than three out of four customers choose the hands-free liftgate

Ford's electrified vehicles

Already Ford's most fuel-efficient sedan, the all-new Fusion Energi has an EPA-rated total range of up to 620 miles and the ability to drive up to 21 miles in electric-only mode, nearly triple the electric-only range of plug-in hybrids from Toyota and Honda – along with EPA-rated fuel economy of 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined.

Fusion Hybrid is America's most fuel-efficient midsize hybrid sedan with an EPA-estimated rating of 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway (best-in-class) and 47 mpg combined.

Also available are Focus Electric, C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid. Focus Electric is one of America's most fuel-efficient compact cars with an EPA-rated 110 MPGe city, 99 MPGe highway and 105 MPGe combined. C-MAX Energi is EPA-rated at 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined. C-MAX Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined.

More about Ford's electrified vehicles can be found here.

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 171,000 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