Sporty to look at and drive while maximising space and flexibility – welcome to the new Ford S-MAX

COLOGNE, Germany, January 10, 2006 – Ford of Europe has named officially the production version of its acclaimed SAV Concept vehicle. It will be called the Ford S-MAX to indicate that it matches sports style and exquisite driving pleasure with flexible and spacious accommodation.

The Ford S-MAX is a new model in the Ford of Europe vehicle portfolio, building on the successful Focus C-MAX multi-activity vehicle and positioned between the Ford Mondeo Wagon and the seven-seat Ford Galaxy MPV. It will be built alongside the new Ford Galaxy and the Mondeo, at Ford's production facility in Genk, Belgium. Prices will be announced around the time the S-MAX goes on sale in the middle of this year.

Further details and technical specifications will be released to coincide with the car's public debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in March.

A new name for a new type of vehicle

The Ford S-MAX demonstrates the potential within the large car market for a non-traditional three-seat-row vehicle with the profile, proportions and appearance that reflect an active lifestyle. It also indicates the potential for even more diversity in the heart of the Ford family car range, taking Ford into a new segment of the market. S-MAX customers will be able to specify the vehicle with either a two or three seat row version of the new Ford Fold Flat System (FFS) providing a 5-seat, or 5+2 seating configuration. This takes the flexible accommodation offered by Ford's other MAX vehicle, the Ford Focus C-MAX, one step further, while its S designation indicates that maximum space is provided in a sporty profile, and without sacrificing driving pleasure or style.

Ford design and engineering

With the Ford S-MAX and the new Ford Galaxy, Ford is expanding its presence significantly in the large car market. To do this the company has executed the programme completely in-house, in contrast with the joint venture that produced the highly successful, previous Ford Galaxy model. The S-MAX is the first production model from the company to feature elements of the kinetic design direction first shown on the iosis concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.

This has been made possible by Ford’s shared technology approach, which has the potential to create more diverse body styles and vehicle formats.

Production in Belgium

The Ford S-MAX is being produced in Genk, Belgium, home of the Ford Mondeo, where a 715 million Euro investment programme is currently being implemented, primarily in a new flexible manufacturing system.

More than 12 million vehicles have been built at Ford's Genk plant since it opened in 1964. The Belgian facility is one of the most modern vehicle assembly plants in Europe and a cornerstone of Ford of Europe's lean manufacturing strategy. Genk will also produce the next generation Mondeo from 2007.

The plant is currently working in two shifts and employs 4,946 employees. Last year 207,163 vehicles were produced at Genk.