(June 16, 2013) BRENTWOOD, Essex, UK — Ford fans from TV, film and sport wheeled out their award-winning “MAX” models this past week to mark the cars’ UK sales success. Ford’s versatile and stylish B-MAX, as driven by TV’s Vicki Butler-Henderson, is celebrating taking leadership of the small car MAV market within only six months of going on volume sale. 

Last month one in four small Multi-Activity Vehicles sold in the UK was a Ford B-MAX and it picked up the accolade of “Design of the Year” at the Fleet World Honors awards.

Fifth Gear presenter Vicki, pictured at right, who has a two-year-old daughter, has driven 8,000 miles in her Ford B-MAX in combining the roles of mum, journalist and racing driver.

“I've tested the nippy new Ford B-MAX with sliding rear doors, which have proved a godsend to me when parking in the slimmest of spots,” said Vicki, for whom loading her daughter in and out of her car seat is made easy by the car’s unrestricted 1.5-meter wide side opening. “And as an avid Radio Five Live listener, the DAB radio is another great feature.”

The film industry’s Winston Ellis and Gurinder Chadha have driven five- and seven-seat versions of the C-MAX respectively.  So far this year the Ford C-MAX range, which was named most popular MAV at last month’s Honest John awards, has taken 21 per cent of medium car MAV sales. 

Actor Winston Ellis, of The Dark Knight and Pirates of the Caribbean, has driven a variety of Ford models in setting up Project Postcode, which utilizes film, media and music to inform teenagers on modern-day issues such as knife crime, drugs and alcohol — prioritizing the most vulnerable post code areas.

Winston, whose most recent Ford was a five-seat C-MAX, said:  “My charitable commitments keep me on the road, covering many motorway miles.  Ford’s SYNC connectivity system on my C-MAX links to my phone, downloading its contacts and playlists for hands-free calls and Bluetooth music streaming.”

Gurinder Chadha OBE, is a British film director who has explored mixed cultures through films, including Bride and Prejudice and Bend it like Beckham.  Gurinder has been driving the seven-seat Ford C-MAX Grand for the past two years and Ford S-MAX for four years before.  Gurinder said: “As a family we love the compact seven seater which is very handy for play dates with our twins’ friends, so we can carry five kids and two adults.”

Wheelchair athlete Jason Richards, pictured above, chooses a Ford S-MAX to transport his family, colleagues and sports equipment.  Also a father of twins, Jason, whose short and long distance achievements include British championship wins in the 100, 200, 400, 800 meters, said:  “You’d think that two bikes, two car seats, a racing wheelchair, an everyday wheelchair and three people would fill any car, but not my S-MAX.  It is perfect for our needs and is also extremely comfortable.  After a race where I have felt every tiny bump in the road, I appreciate the smooth drive home in my S-MAX, I can tell you!”