The new Ford C-Max and Ford Grand C-Max 2010. The European C-Max will be available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid in 2013.

Ford announced yesterday that it will build a conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid version of its C-Max vehicle for European customers. The two hybrid variants of the C-Max—a kind of small versatile family wagon—will be built in Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain. The hybrids are due in 2013, while the redesigned conventional C-Max and Grand C-Max models go on sale across Europe during the second half of 2010.

There are no announced plans for the C-Max hybrids to the United States, although Ford will produce a seven-seat gas version in Valencia that will head to North America in late 2011.

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Ford has proven that consumers don’t just want a car anymore; they want a mobile computer capable of connecting with their various devices that so many of us have come to depend on every day. The partnership with Microsoft is so far paying off; Ford has sold over two million Sync-equipped cars to date. This year the system gets revamped into the advanced Ford MyTouch interface.

Seeing Ford’s success, Chevy seems ready for a computer partnership of its own. GM has had its OnStar system installed on many cars for years, and now it’s getting upgraded with mobile phone connectivity. This includes a potential partnership with Google to use its Android operating system to power the Chevy Volt. How cool is that!

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Tesla has beaten every major automaker and electric car startup to market by years with the first truly successful electric vehicle. Well over 1,000 Tesla Roadsters have been built and bought, and while there is some uncertainty about the brand’s next car, the Model S, Tesla has become synonymous with electric vehicles. So now, the race is on to be number two to market. Will it be the Nissan Leaf? The Chevy Volt? The Ford Transit Connect Electric?

It could be none of the above. Start up company Wheego plans to build their first batch of their “Whip Life” electric cars this summer, if the financing comes through. So what the hell is the Wheego Whip Life?

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