Ford Cancels 7-Seat C-Max For U.S.

Ford was all set to bring its small seven-seat minivan dubbed the C-Max to the U.S. at the Detroit auto show this past January. That was when we got a good look at this small people-mover that is similar to the Mazda5. Ford said today it no longer plans to sell the seven-seat C-Max in the U.S.

The C-Max offers minivan seating capacity without the size and price tag of traditional minivans, along with better gas mileage. The Mazda5 is seeing an uptick in sales, too. Year-to-date sales of the redesigned Mazda5 are up 22%, outpacing the rest of the company’s lineup.

However, the volume remains quite low for the Mazda5, and that might be why Ford nixed the C-Max. A smaller version that seats five will go on sale in the U.S. as an electric and hybrid vehicle with no standard gasoline option.

It seems that Ford thinks it has the pulse of American consumers who are still snapping up the new Explorer despite $4 gas prices. Of course, they’re also buying a lot of Fiestas and Focuses, Focii … well, the other small Ford.

There doesn’t seem to be any other automaker stepping up to the plate in the small people-mover space, either. GM has decided not to sell the Orlando — a similar vehicle — in the U.S., and Kia discontinued its Rondo last year. Perhaps Mazda can make some noise out of this news for its Mazda5. It’s a nice vehicle that now resides in a niche of one.

Comments

Truly a sad day for those looking for a fuel-efficient 7 seater. Come on Toyota, show us your not Prius V 7 seat MPV!

I've been loving all of Ford's moves lately but I guess they can't all be gems. That's pretty disappointing news but maybe the death of the Rondo suggests there isn't as much of a market for this type of vehicle as I've always thought. $4.00 obviously ain't the magic number. I guess we'll have to try $4.50 on for size.

@WPF,

The magic # here is "7" (or at least "7"), not "6."

You can squeeze 6 people in a 5 seater, and having "1" more person over a 5 seater is not like "oh heck, we need that!'

The other important news is that C-Max will be sold in 2 versions

Hybrid
Plugin

And this will compete with Prius & Prius Plugin respectively.

higher gas prices?? "Auto Insurance Clearance" is one very cool site! who would've known that browsing for auto insurance companies here in California would be this fast and easy? great concept and i got quotes with just a few clicks of my mouse!

Very disapointing... If it worked as well as the reviews I planned on making this my next vehicle. I don't see what Ford would have to lose since they were going to import for the first year anyways.

As an owner of both a 5 and a Rondo, I think alot of car companies are missing out on offering such a unique automobile. That said,maybe VW can start building its Sharan in Chattanooga, since it's the same platform used in the Passat. That might move this from niche to mainstream...

Idiots. I was going to get the c-max 7 passenger for sure! Now I have no choice but to get the 6 passenger Mazda 5. Ford dropped the ball in my opinion.

Idiots.
Mazda 5 can seat 4 with some cargo or 6 and no cargo.
Kia Rondo can seat 5 with plenty of cargo.
Ford C-Max with flexible seating configuration was way more practical than Rondo or Mazda 5.
What should I buy now?

Our Mazda5 seats 5 with "some" cargo - we fold down one of the 3rd row seats. Granted, 3 of our 5 are very young kids and we travel light. We've got the roof rack and a luggage basket for big trips. We're pretty happy with the Mazda5, especially the manual transmission, but would like to see more options in the small minivan class.

need a high mpg 7seater!

I think that is a wrong move I
was thinking at looking at one but I need 6 seats and not squeezed.

I bought a 2012 Mazda in January to replace my old truck with something that would accommodate my newborn third child but would still make sense to commute in. It's a great car! It's a bit cramped in the third row with a stroller loaded in the back, but other than that I love it. I'm surprised no one but Mazda is attacking this niche.