News

COLOGNE , Germany, Aug. 23, 2013 – The new Ford B-MAX was the best-selling small multi-activity vehicle in Europe for the first half of 2013 , based on Ford’s analysis of Polk registration data.*

The Ford B-MAX seized a 15.8 per cent share* of small multi-activity vehicle sales in Europe for the first six months of the year, selling 38,000 vehicles across Ford’s traditional 19 European markets. Production of the B-MAX started mid-2012, with full market availability from November.

B-MAX outsold Citroen C3 Picasso, Fiat 500L, Honda Jazz and Opel/Vauxhall Meriva in the first half of 2013. Accelerating sales saw the B-MAX take over as segment leader in the major markets of Germany and UK for the second quarter. It also was the number one seller in Belgium/Luxembourg, Netherlands and Norway over the first half of the year.

Advanced technologies are a key factor in B-MAX success, with more than 80 per cent of European customers specifying the Ford SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, which features the Euro NCAP Advanced Reward-winning Emergency Assistance feature that can alert local emergency services operators to an accident in 26 languages, spoken in 40 European regions.

Ford’s 1.0‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine – 2012 and 2013 International Engine of the Year – was chosen by 43 per cent of B-MAX buyers; 22 per cent of B-MAX customers have opted for Euro NCAP Advanced Reward-winning Active City Stop, which monitors traffic ahead and automatically applies the brakes if it detects a collision with a vehicle in front is imminent; and 12 per cent have selected Rear View Camera.

“We knew we had a very special car on our hands with the new B-MAX, particularly with the Ford Easy Access Door System that customers are finding new ways to take advantage of every day,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “As the sales figures demonstrate, B-MAX’s unique blend of ingenious design and smart technology has really changed what customers can expect from a small car.”

The B-MAX features the Ford Easy Access Door System that provides unrivalled access for passengers and luggage through hinged front doors and sliding rear doors – with integrated pillars. B-MAX was awarded a maximum five-star rating from independent crash test authority Euro NCAP . The car offers the industry-first Ford MyKey technology, which enables parents to place restrictions on younger drivers to promote safety.

The B-MAX won the international “AUTOBEST 2013” award last year, and also was awarded the Autonis Award for the “Most Beautiful Minivan of 2012” by readers of the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

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* Results for the 19 European markets tracked by Ford and as per Ford vehicle segmentation. Industry data provided by R L Polk & Co.; with latest data available for first half 2013.