Ford is cutting production on the C-Max. It has a 122-day supply of the car: double the ideal number.
Ford Motor Co. continues working to balance its global business by implementing its first significant production cuts in more than a year while pushing plans to open a new market for Ford-made taxi cabs in southern China.
Ford officials said the automaker will temporarily stop producing the Focus and C-Max at the Michigan Assembly plant for two weeks this fall to reduce growing inventories. The assembly plant will be idle for the weeks of Oct. 28 and Dec. 16.
Inventory of the C-Max, which has been hurt by challenges to its fuel-economy rating, has crept up to a 122-day supply, which is double what most automakers consider as a desirable. With the government shutdown unfolding, Focus started October with a 71-day supply.
“We expect to take approximately two weeks of downtime at our Michigan Assembly Plant starting this month, as we continue to match production with demand,” said Ford spokeswoman Kristina Adamski in a statement.
Separately, Ford also announced it was adding Hong Kong to the list of global cities served by its Transit Connect Taxi, building on the vehicle’s popularity among taxi operators in New York City, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.
“Ford Transit Connect Taxi has proven itself in taxi fleets across the U.S.,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, global product development. “Now, we are building on that success, offering the vehicle for sale in even more markets, including global cities like Hong Kong.”
The Transit taxi Ford unveiled in Hong Kong comes equipped with a Ford-engineered, clean-burning liquefied petroleum gas fuel system. It is designed to run on Hong Kong’s well-established LPG infrastructure, providing dependability, low maintenance and long-range travel.
On sale since 2010, it already serves passengers in markets across the United States, including Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Boston. Overall, Ford has about 60% of the U.S. taxi market though the its dominance is being challenged by rivals such as Nissan.
The 2014 Transit Connect Taxi comes with a new powertrain – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new, fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission – providing drivers with quick response as well as durability, low-rpm cruising and an expected best-in-class highway fuel economy rating.
In addition, Transit Connect will be the only taxi in America offered with a compressed natural gas and LPG engine prep package. Conversion to CNG and LPG is supported by Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers, enabling significant fuel cost savings.
(Ford trims C-Max mileage rating, offers goodwill cash to owners. For more, Click Here.)
Ford’s second-generation Transit features a lower vehicle height, providing improved roof clearance for taxicab companies to place advertising on the cabin roof. A new interior hood release gives drivers easy access to check fluid levels prior to starting a shift.
The new taxi also is longer, offering seating for five and increased cargo capacity. It has an expected best-in-class 60.5 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row. The vehicle can accommodate a compressed gas tank, while still leaving ample room for luggage.
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The Transit Connect Taxi floor has been lowered for improved access to the cabin, and it can be modified for wheelchair accessibility through Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier program.
In addition, Ford said the C-Max hybrid is being adopted by taxi operators right from dealer lots. Taxi operators like the vehicle’s utility, maneuverable size and class-leading U.S. EPA combined fuel economy of 43 mpg. C-Max Hybrid taxis are on the road in San Francisco and New York.