The car, called the C-Max, Ford's first hybrid-only model in North America, in the same way that the Toyota Prius, a hybrid is offered.
In addition, Ford said that the intention to triple its production capacity for hybrid and electric cars in North America so that the more than 100,000 of them annually in 2013 could build. The increase will add 220 jobs in Michigan, said Ford.
James d. Farley Jr., Ford's group vice president for global marketing, sales and service, said that the automaker was planning for a future in which fuel efficiency remained a high priority for the consumer.
"Customers have really changed in the last 120 days," Mr. Farley told reporters on a transmission company North of Detroit. "People are so focused on fuel economy."
Ford officials said the C-Max hatchback presented a stronger business case than the gasoline-powered, seven-passenger Grand C-Max that the intention to import from Europe. Ford C-Max hatchbacks and minivans in Europe, in petrol and diesel varieties, now sells and said demand for the five-passenger version there was this year doubled.
The C-Max now scheduled to go on sale in the United States will be built in suburban Detroit, next to the similarly sized Focus compact car, which is now available with a traditional engine and a battery-powered car to start later this year will be sold.
Instead of fighting for a share of the small but somewhat resurgent minivan market, Ford is using the C-Max to take aim at Prius and the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid built by General Motors.
Aaron Bragman, an analyst with the research firm IHS Automotive, said automakers more emphasis on hybrids were forced by more stringent federal mileage, known as Corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE.
"These engines must be ubiquitous in order to meet the new CAFE regulations become," said Mr. Bragman.
Ford declined to provide detailed specifications about the C-Max, but Mr Bragman said he expected the plug-in version, called the Energi, conveniently compare with the Volt, which G.M. late last year. The C-Max Energi will operate in a similar way as the Volt by allowing users to connect to a power outlet or high-voltage charging station. It will run first solely on battery power before you petrol.
Mr. Farley said the C-Max Energi would be "fully competitive" with the volts and 500 miles on a full charge and tank of gas would travel. The Volt has a combined range of about 379 miles, including 35 km on battery alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency label.
Mr. Farley wouldn't give a range only-battery for the C-Max, that space for three passengers in the back seat. The Volt will fit only two passengers because the battery sticks out where the middle seat would be.
Mr Bragman said that was probably the Ford C-Max for significantly less than the Volt sell because the use of a lot of common parts. The Volt is a sticker price of about $ 41,000, before a federal tax credit of $ 7,500.
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