Yes, we would be more excited if the Ford C-max Energi plug-in hybrid was now available to order, but we are glad to head the C-max Hybrid can now be ordered – it means Ford is one step closer to the C-max Energi being available.

The Ford C-max Energi and C-max Hybrid is Ford’s answer to the Toyota Prius mania that has recently swept the world of hybrid and green cars. Between the Prius V wagon, the Prius Plug-in electric and the Prius C city car, Toyota has sold double the number of Prii it did at this time last year.

Ford is pitching the C-max Hybrid as being cheaper and more fuel efficient than the Toyota Prius V. The CMax Hybrid will start as a base price of $29,995 which is about $500 cheaper than the Prius V base model. The EPA hasn’t provided specific mileage specs for the Ford C-max Hybrid yet, but Ford is claiming the C-max Hybrid will beat the Prius V that is rated at 42mpg combined by the EPA.

The press release from Ford doesn’t give a link to visit to place an order, nor does the Ford C-max page have any info about ordering. The press release merely states that Ford Dealers have started to place orders on the 2013 Ford C-max Hybrid vehicle and that the C-max Hybrid will be available by sometime this fall.

The Ford C-max Energi plug-in hybrid will follow the C-max Hybrid will follow later this year with better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. The Ford C-max also has more passenger and cargo space than the Toyota Prius – if only they’d kept the sliding door, this ?crossover? would be a hit with young families.