Ford is taking aim at two of its biggest competitors with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid based on the C-Max model it sells in Europe. The two cars roll into showrooms next year as part of the automaker's aggressive plan to triple production of hybrid and electric vehicles by 2013.

The second-largest U.S. automaker has said one in four cars it sells by 2020 will have an electric motor and a big battery of some sort. To reach that goal, Ford will ramp up production of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles to 100,000 within two years. It is investing $135 million and adding 220 jobs at three Michigan factories to hit that goal, which includes rolling out models to compete with the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt.

"This is really a big deal for us because we're seeing a growing appetite for fuel-efficient and green vehicles," said Jim Farley, group vice president of marketing, sales and service. "May was our biggest month for small cars in decades. Customers are really prioritizing fuel economy."

The hybrid and plug-in are based on the C-Max sold in Europe. Ford has sold more than 100,000 of the compact cars since introducing it last year. It planned to bring the C-Max, including a seven-passenger version, over here but decided to offer only gas-electric five-passenger models.

"This is a much better opportunity than introducing the seven-passenger gasoline model," Farley said.

The C-Max Hybrid (pictured) will join the excellent Fusion Hybrid in chipping away at the market dominance of the Toyota Prius. The C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, meanwhile, appears aimed at the Chevrolet Volt and forthcoming Prius plug-in hybrid.

Both will use the same platform as the Ford Focus, meaning they will share suspension components and other hardware. Ford didn't offer any specs but promised the C-Max Hybrid will deliver better fuel economy than the 41 mpg city and 36 highway of the Fusion Hybrid. The Energi will offer a combined gas-electric range of 500 miles.

Technically speaking, the cars are similar to the Fusion Hybrid. The drivetrain features two motors, one to drive the wheels and the other to recharge the battery. Both will use Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engines and lithium-ion batteries designed and built in Michigan.

"We have redesigned every component to increase efficiency," said Sharif Marakby, chief hybrid and electric vehicle engineer. "The efficiency of every component in the system is 90 percent or better."

Marakby said Ford has spent four years developing the vehicles and racked up more than 400,000 testing prototypes.

"This is one of the most complex vehicles we have ever built," he said of the C-Max Energi.

The C-Max hybrids join the Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ hybrids in Ford's gas-electric lineup. Another new hybrid model is expected next year. Ford introduces the Focus Electric later this year; it will join the Transit Connect Electric van.

Photo: Ford

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