---
title: "The Ford C-Max Is Dead in the U.S."
description: "C-Ya later, C-Max."
date: "2017-11-19"
modified: "2017-11-20"
authors:
  - name: "Eric Brandt"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/eric-brandt.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/16236/the-ford-c-max-is-dead-in-the-u-s"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "c-max"
  - "c-max energi"
  - "Discontinued"
  - "Electric"
  - "Ford"
  - "hybrid"
  - "plug-in"
  - "production"
---

# The Ford C-Max Is Dead in the U.S.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/11/17-cmax_hybrid_se_34frntdrvrmotn_mj.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Ford’s humble hybrid compact and worst-selling model in the U.S. is finished in its home market according to [*Automotive News*](<https://www.autonews.com/article/20171118/RETAIL01/171129977/ford-dropping-c-max-in-u-s>). The [C-Max Energi](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) plug-in hybrid ended in September and the regular hybrid version of the [C-Max](<https://thestore.thedrive.com/>) will wrap up production in mid-2018. In Europe, Ford sells gas and diesel versions of the C-Max and will continue to do so for an undetermined amount of time.

The Ford C-Max in the U.S. was basically a hybrid Focus hatchback. That’s a good idea in theory and it isn’t necessarily a bad car, but it’s not a very good hybrid considering its underwhelming fuel economy numbers. It originally promised a fuel economy rating of 47 highway/47 city/47 combined mpg which would be pretty impressive if it were the reality. The actual EPA numbers for the non-plug-in C-Max ended up being 42 city/38 highway/40 combined mpg which isn’t terrible, but not good enough to be competitive in the hybrid market.

The Michigan Assembly Plant that currently builds the C-Max and Focus is being retooled to build the [Ranger pickup](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/16146/awesome-ford-ranger-raptor-renderings-show-off-kickass-color-choices.md>) and [Bronco SUV](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/6927/ford-bronco-construction-details-revealed.md>) starting at some point in 2018. We’ve known for a while that production of the fourth-gen Focus would [move to China](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/11684/ford-to-import-new-focus-from-china-invest-in-kentucky-plant.md>), but the fate of the C-Max was up in the air until now.

Killing its only hybrid-only model doesn’t mean Ford isn’t committed to hybrids and electrification. Ford is forming [“Team Edison”](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/14820/ford-creates-team-edison-to-fast-track-development-of-electric-cars.md>) with the goal of fast-tracking electric car development by [partnering with other companies](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/15920/ford-partners-with-zotye-to-build-electric-cars-in-china.md>) and suppliers. Ford’s plan is to spend $4.5 billion by 2020 on new electric models so the absence of the C-Max won’t leave a gap in Ford’s lineup for very long.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/brandt004>)

## More

- [Ford Sedans Are Dead in the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20415/ford-sedans-are-dead-in-the-u-s.md>)
- [Ford Settles Claims of Inflated Truck Payload Numbers, False MPG](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-settles-claims-of-inflated-truck-payload-numbers-false-mpg.md>)
- [Here’s What We Know About the Ford Focus Active That’s Headed for the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20429/heres-what-we-know-about-the-ford-focus-active-thats-headed-for-the-u-s.md>)
- [Toyota Axes the Prius V in the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/16242/toyota-axes-the-prius-v-in-the-u-s.md>)
- [1.0-Liter Three-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Being Dropped from Ford Fiesta in the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14735/1-0-liter-three-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-being-dropped-from-ford-fiesta-in-the-u-s.md>)
- [New China-Only Ford Territory Crossover Might Be a Glimpse at the Future of Ford SUVs](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22737/the-new-china-only-ford-territory-crossover-might-be-glimpse-at-the-future-of-ford-suvs.md>)
- [2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD First Drive Review: Just What the Cheap Truck Needed](<https://www.thedrive.com/car-reviews/2025-ford-maverick-hybrid-awd-first-drive-review.md>)
- [Ford to Replace More Than 75 Percent of Current Product Portfolio by 2020](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/19297/ford-to-replace-more-than-75-percent-of-current-product-portfolio-by-2020.md>)