Ford's mini-MPV - the C-MAX - will be the company's first European car to be fitted with a hybrid electric drivetrain. Both the forthcoming C-MAX and the larger Grand C-MAX (scheduled for launch later this year) will get the technology and Ford plans to make a hybrid electric and a plug-in hybrid version, both due for release in 2013.
The hybrid electric plans will cost the company up to $36million and the company's Valencia plant has been given the go ahead to build the first cars.
America will get a seven-seat version of the C-MAX in late 2011 as part of Ford's 'Global Sourcing Strategy' and the company also claims that there will be a total of five hybrid and electric models by 2013.