Ford will add full hybrid versions of its S-Max and Galaxy minivans after investing in battery pack production at its plant in Valencia, Spain, where both models are built.
The fuel efficient, low CO2-emitting hybrid drivetrain could give the minivans a new lease of life when they go on sale next year. Currently most S-Max and Galaxy models are sold with diesel engines.
The gasoline-electric hybrid models will pair a 2.5-liter engine with a lithium ion battery to cut emissions to 140 grams per km on the WLTP emissions cycle, a big improvement on the 170 g/km emitted by the S-Max's 1.5-liter conventional gasoline engine.
Europe's minivan market is in decline as more automakers shift their focus to meeting customers' increasing demand for SUVs.
Ford axed its B-Max small minivan in 2018 and the C-Max compact model in 2019 but has continued to offer the the S-Max and Galaxy as sales hold up relatively well.
Sales of the S-Max were up 0.6 percent to 23,702 in 2019, according to figures from JATO Dynamics. Galaxy sales increased 12 percent to 13,200.
Valencia investment
Ford said it will spend 42 million euros ($47 million) to construct on battery pack production at the Valencia plant.
The facility will also build packs for a hybrid version of the new Ford Kuga compact SUV, which will launch later this year with the same 2.5-liter drivetrain.
Ford builds the Kuga, S-Max, Galaxy and Mondeo midsize car at Valencia. A hybrid version of the Mondeo is also built at Valencia based around a 2-0-liter engine.
The hybrid S-Max will be sold as a five-seater or a seven-seater, while the hybrid Galaxy will be offered as a seven-seater only.
Ford said that the five-seat hybrid S-Max and the seven-seat Galaxy would retain their existing load-capacity.
Ford expects both hybrid models to be rated at 197 hp, compared to 163 hp for the 1.5-liter gasoline model.
The automaker said it expected the hybrids to out-perform the diesel models on acceleration, without giving figures. It also did not mention prices.
