One-Third Of All U.S. Ford Dealers To Be Certified To Sell New EVs By Spring; Ford Delivers January Hybrid Sales Record

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• More than 900 Ford dealers will soon be certified to sell plug-in electrified vehicles, up from 200 in November; Ford expects to have EV Certified Ford dealers in all 50 states by spring
• The surge in EV Certified Ford dealers reflects increased demand for the company's electrified vehicles – Ford's market share increased from less than 3 percent in April 2012 to nearly 16 percent in December 2012, second behind only Toyota
• Greater customer access to vehicles such as Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi is a necessity as electrified vehicles go mainstream – research shows the number of customers considering plug-in hybrids has grown to 25 percent

Strong demand for Ford's three new plug-in vehicles has Ford certifying hundreds more dealers to sell them than expected – including 900 to be certified by spring and make Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi available in all 50 states for the first time.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130206/DE55048-INFO )

The 900 dealers represents about one-third of all Ford dealers in the U.S., triples Ford projections for the time frame and are an increase of 200 from November 2012, the second full month C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid were available.

Sales show these hybrids are resonating with customers, further strengthening the case for dealerships to certify. Ford delivered a record January hybrid sales month, following a record-breaking electrified vehicle sales quarter in the fourth quarter of 2012. Ford expects to announce today record January sales for Fusion Hybrid.

Certification allows dealers to sell Focus Electric, C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. Certification isn't necessary for a Ford dealer to sell C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid. Ford announced the certified dealer program in February 2011.

Video: Ford dealers discuss EV-certification http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NLJqbek6RU&feature=youtu.be  

Certification also means greater geographic convenience for customers throughout the U.S. for vehicles such as Fusion Energi – Ford's second production plug-in hybrid that delivers an EPA-estimated gas plus electric range of up to 620 miles (21 in all-electric mode) and fuel economy of EPA-estimated rating of 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined. Fusion Energi – Ford's most fuel-efficient sedan – recently began shipping to dealers.

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