Car Insurance News
Ford launches new mid-sized vehicle
11 July 2012
UK manufacturer Ford has launched a new mid-sized car aimed at combining sustainability and convenience for a new generation of consumers more interested in saving cash and reducing their carbon impact.
The new B-Max is to hit UK outlets in September and is to slot into the small multi-activity vehicle market, a segment Ford claims is becoming increasingly important to savvy urban consumers.
This market is to grow by 17 per cent in the next six years, according to the company, as more people become aware of the importance of reducing their fuel use.
Ford estimates that 40 per cent of Europe's large car users are planning to downsize in the coming years, while 20 per cent of those who drive smaller vehicles feel they could do with more storage space.
With this in mind, the B-Max is an attempt to combine the best of both worlds by offering compact dimensions in conjunction with the ability to carry loads of up to 2.3 m in length.
Furthermore, the car's patented Easy Door Access System will also allow side access of roughly 1.5 m, ensuring that consumers who decide to downsize will not need to compromise on roominess.
This could appeal to the growing demographic of "citysumers", according to Henry Mason of global trend experts trendwatching.com.
"With many consumers in Europe facing financial pressures, the status symbol of owning the most expensive, biggest or fastest car is taking a back seat to being a smart, savvy or sustainable consumer," he argued.
A new "mature, urban and sophisticated" generation are moving towards smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles as part of this trend, concluded the analyst.
B-Max project leader Klaus-Peter Tamm described Ford's new offering as being "unique" to the market and stressed its ability to perform a number of different roles.
Ford recently revealed a 3.6 per cent jump in UK sales over the first half of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.
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