Ford’s top-selling MPVs in Europe go semigreen
Ford in North America is reducing its regular passenger cars in favor of larger and more popular SUVs, trucks, and crossovers. However, Ford Europe continues to offer products. Ford Europe made significant investments in Valencia Spain’s production facilities to meet their long-term goals. Their best-sellers, Galaxy, and SMax, were refreshed and hybrid models introduced. Europeans have always loved station wagons and MPVs. This is why the Ford Galaxy and S-Max are so popular. The Ford Galaxy is the first MPV ford to be introduced outside the USA in 1995. The S-Max joined it in 2006. Both MPVs are MPVs. The S-Max is a hybrid between a sedan, full-blown MPV, and an awkward station wagon.
Two new assembly lines were created by the investment. They will produce the batteries that power the new Kuga hybrids and S-Max hybrids. Production is expected to start in September 2020. Ford’s hybrid MPVs will offer a great alternative for their diesel-powered counterparts, while still offering the same flexibility and creature comforts. This money has allowed Ford to produce these hybrid vehicles along with the new battery assembly lines. This will allow the carmaker to get closer towards its goal of 14 electrified vehicles by 2020.
The 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, an electric motor, generator and a lithium-ion battery will power the Galaxy and S-Max hybrids. The goal is to achieve at least 197 horsepower, 155 pound-feet torque and a 3,300 pound towing capability. Stuart Rowley, president of Ford Europe, stated that electrification is rapidly becoming mainstream. He added that Ford has increased its investment in Valencia to offer more electrified models as well as powertrain options for customers. We expect that by 2022, the majority of our passenger car sales will be electrified. This is because we have made it easier than ever before to convert to an electrified vehicle.