[CCF mod]

I noticed that noone mentioned the start of production of S-Max in China which started this year. The appearance of the car is identical to European version. The only difference are Chinese letters on the back.
I wonder how will Chinese market accept it as in Europe it's quite a hit and selling well.
Does anyone one what is the quality of Chinese-built Fords and other foreign cars made there under licence (such as BMW 5-series, VW, Toyota,...)? You can notice that red S-Max already lost the cover of headlight washing system.

http://img.autohome.com.cn/upload/spec/2862/u_286258745649.jpg

http://img.autohome.com.cn/upload/spec/2862/u_2862248837947.jpg

http://img.autohome.com.cn/upload/spec/2862/u_2862275255477.jpg

http://img.autohome.com.cn/upload/spec/2862/u_2862774444780.jpg


pics at:
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series/498.html

 

[mrgq]

lol maybe cuz its a very ugly car...
or ppl are anti ford

 

[chinacartimes]

Its a very nice car - I wasnt too sure about the hand brake though.

The dealer kept trying to push me from the smax, which is a baby Galaxy, towards the much more expensive, imported Maverick.

Smax, great looking car, but not for me. Did not notice the quality to be low, it seemed pretty good to be honest. But why is there no GPS unit on a car that costs this much?

 

[kret]

the s-max is a sport version of galaxy..probably gps is in option..it was car of the year in europe

 

[CCF mod]

Some more pictures:

 

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[ash]

i dont like this, i only like ford fusion c ar

 

[CCF mod]

Changan Ford will launch 2008 S-MAX with among other things panoramic sunroof:
http://auto.tom.com/2008-02-21/0D5B/30038372.html

 

[CCF mod]

Ford will introduce 5 seat variant of S-Max.

Ford introduced the S-MAX in 2007, a Sport Activity Vehicle with three rows of seats for 7 people. At the upcoming 2008 Auto China Ford will release the Ford S-MAX Trend, a five-seat variant of Europe's 2007 Car of the Year.

Nigel Harris, General Manager of Changan Ford Sales Company: “The S-MAX is spacious, safe and convenient but not everyone needs seven seats. Introducing a five-seat variant to the S-MAX range makes perfect sense and illustrates Ford's ability to provide Chinese customers with cars and features they want."

The Ford S-MAX Trend there for seats only five people but buyers do end up with 185 liters of extra cargo space. Power comes from a 2.3 liter, all-aluminum engine which produces 117 kW at 6,500 rpm and 205 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

At the upcoming 2008 Beijing auto show, Ford will release the Ford S-MAX Trend, a five-seat variant of Europe's 2007 Car of the Year. Ford introduced the S-MAX in 2007, a Sport Activity Vehicle with three rows of seats for seven people. Now the two rear seats are removed to make larger room for cargo. And the vehicle's price will be reduced.

After its roll-out last year, Ford's S-MAX model was well received for its spaciousness, safety, and convenience. But not every consumer likes to have seven seats in it. "Introducing a five-seat variant to the S-MAX range makes perfect sense and illustrates Ford's ability to provide Chinese customers with cars and features they want," said Nigel Harris, General Manager of Changan Ford Sales Company.

Although the Ford S-MAX Trend has seats only for five people, the buyer / owner is provided with 185 liters more of rear cargo space. Power comes from a 2.3 liter, all-aluminum engine which produces 117 kW at 6,500 rpm and 205 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

For many Chinese customers who need a vehicle made for middle-class family use and for ample personalized features, the five-seat Ford S-MAX Trend is expected to be one of their best choices.

source: worldcarfans.com and Gasgoo

 

[CCF mod]

5-seats S-Max:
http://picture.auto.sohu.com/@picture_f1224732.html#slide

 

[CCF mod]

Changan Ford to sell 5-seat S-MAX Trend in July.

May 16, 2008 - Changan Ford announced on May 15 the launch of its five-seat version Ford S-Max. Starting in late June or early July, the car will be available in the Chinese auto market at 194,800 yuan ($27,900). The Chinese joint venture of Ford expects to sell 600-700 Ford S-Max Trend cars each month in the second half of 2008.

Ford debuted the new five-seat S-MAX Trend at the 2008 Beijing auto show last month alongside the seven-seat S-MAX Flagship. "The S-MAX is spacious, safe and convenient but not everyone needs seven seats. Introducing a five-seat variant to the S-MAX range makes perfect sense and illustrates Ford's ability to provide Chinese customers with cars and features they want," said Nigel Harris, General Manager of Changan Ford Sales Company, at the Beijing show.

The five-seat S-MAX Trend is a new variant tailored to meet market demand. It has two rows of seating in line with requests of some S-MAX customers who desire more cargo space. With the absence of a third-row of seats, the five-seat S-MAX Trend offers 185 liters more of rear cargo space. The eliminated seating will also make the crossover lighter.

Power comes from a 2.3 liter, all-aluminum engine which produces 117 kW at 6,500 rpm and 205 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear parking sensors and footlights are now standard features on all 2008 S-MAX models.

The five-seat Ford S-MAX Trend is economical to run. Repair costs and maintenance costs for the five-seat S-MAX Trend are equal with the associated cost of a traditional family sedan.

A sales executive of Changan Ford said the 2008 Ford S-MAX range of four models will be all available in China to meet the mid- and high-end demands of Chinese customers.

source: Gasgoo.com

 

[CCF mod]

Ford S-Max 5 seater goes on the market for 190,000rmb

July 23, 2008 - The Ford S-Max 5 seater has gone on the market complete with a bigger trunk, and 5 seats instead of 7.

Seven seater MPV’s arent too popular in China, due to 7 seaters having to pay a higher road tax fee when compared to 5 seat sedans and SUV’s. The 7 seater S-Max was not too popular, and Ford did not sell too many of them. Ford came back with the 5 seater S-Max in hopes of having a better attempt at the MPV market, but with their market price of 190,000rmb it could be that the VW Touran continues to outsell it. The VW Touran 5 seater, with a 2.0l automatic gear box starts at 150,000rmb, a 40,000rmb saving over the S-Max.

Changes to the 5 seater S-Max are not as many as you might think, the CD player has turned into a single CD unit, as opposed to the previous multi-CD playing unit, the MP3 connection equipment has also been dropped.

source: China Car Times

 

[CCF mod]

2008 S-Max 2.3 with 5 seats:

 

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more:
http://car.autohome.com.cn/pic/series-s4118/498.html?pvareaid=100635

 

[CCF mod]

Ford S-Max finally given a name

January 7th, 2009 - The Ford S-Max was launched into China in 2007, except it wasnt given a Chinese name until now. The lack of a Chinese name was highly unusual for a car launched in China that came with an English name, Ford listened to its consumers and held a competition to give the S-Max a Chinese name, with the lucky winner taking home a new 5 seater S-Max.

The chosen name was actually very simple, 麦柯斯, (Mai Ke Si) which is essentially a phonetic translation of ‘Max’.

Ford apparently had 61357 people enter a grand total of 61006 possible Chinese names for the S-Max.

source: China Car Times