Put away the Benadryl and tissues – the new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX have been awarded TÜV Allergy Tested Certification.

The C-MAX has been allergy-tested and approved for over 100 materials used in its production. Ford took out materials like latex, chrome and nickel – all of which have been known to cause allergic reactions. Surfaces such as the steering wheel and seat covers have been dermatologically tested, so you can now breathe a big sigh of relief that your hands aren’t going to be touching anything harmful (unless, of course, you don’t clean your car).

“We want to give our customers the best vehicle design, performance and quality, and the best passenger environment,” said Caspar Dirk Hohage, Ford Europe’s engineering director. “That is why we are doing all we can to avoid or reduce to the absolute minimum all materials and substances that may pose an allergic risk.”

And for all you hay fever sufferers, you’ll be happy to learn that all Ford vehicles are fitted with a high-performance pollen filter.

Other cars that have the TÜV Allergy Tested Certification include the Fiesta, outgoing Focus, S-MAX, Galaxy, Mondeo and Kuga. To all of us here in North America with itchy eyes and runny noses, the C-Max will be available to us this year.

[Source: Autoblog UK]

Ford is reportedly working on a four-door coupe for the European market and it’s not unthinkable that this stylish sedan could make its way to the U.S.

Based on the Mondeo mid-size sedan, this new model would help build brand image – something Ford of Europe is starting to do more of as it becomes more profitable. The model will be released alongside sedan and wagon versions of the next Mondeo when it debuts in 2012.

Apparently the new Mondeo will be more of a world-car platform, much like the upcoming Focus and Fiesta, both of which will hit U.S. shores soon.

Currently the car would only have one competitor in the U.S. marketplace, the Volkswagen CC, but as brands like Acura see the potential in the four-door coupe, perhaps by 2012 Ford will have several reasons to bring over its four-door coupe Mondeo.

And even if limited sales in North America prohibited building the car here, there is still a possibility that it could be assembled in Europe and shipped to North America. The added price would then be passed on to the consumer by badging the car as a Lincoln.

[Source: CAR]