Ford returns to minivans with compact C-Max

Ford is getting back into the minivan game with a seven-passenger vehicle called C-Max and is releasing photos of the North American version for the first time today.

Ford abandoned the minivan business in the U.S. in 2006 as sales of the practical family haulers began to sink and Ford's Freestar failed to measure up to its competitors.

Now, Ford is betting that millennials -- the generation that grew up taking family vacations in minivans during the 1980s -- are looking for a smaller, more fuel-efficient alternative to today's super-sized minivans.

"C-Max provides young families with an aspirational alternative ... one that is affordable and highly fuel efficient," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development.
Ford's timing might be good: After years of declines, minivan sales are up 9.3% this year, about the same as 2010 industry sales.

Ford isn't saying how much the C-Max will cost, but will display it at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

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