Ford supporting the valuable work of Irish Guide Dogs with S-MAX Full Hybrid

John Manning, Henry Ford & Son Ltd. (standing), with the S-MAX FHEV and the Irish Guide Dogs team, including ‘Puppies in Training’ Elton (Black Labrador) and Vogue (Golden Labrador); and human team members Eoin Slattery, Technical Training Manager and Allyce Keogh, Guide Dog Trainer.

Henry Ford & Son Ltd. is providing a new S-MAX FHEV (Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind to help with the charity’s work across the country. 

With its National Training Centre in Cork, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is dedicated to assisting people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism. They are committed to improving the mobility and independence of individuals through their world-class dog training and ancillary services.

Handing over the keys of the new S-MAX FHEV to the charity, Market Lead for Ford in Ireland, John Manning, said: “The Irish Guide Dogs team do wonderful work that impacts hugely on the lives of their clients right across Ireland. We are delighted to be able to support that great work with the long-term loan of the new S-MAX FHEV. 

“The new S-MAX FHEV is the ideal vehicle for the Irish Guide Dogs team with 7-seat flexibility and, thanks to the easy-to-use fold flat seat capability, there is ample space to safely and securely transport dogs, large, medium or puppy-size! 

“S-MAX is the original sports activity vehicle and the new FHEV version brings even more appeal for a new generation of customers with pure-electric driving capability.”

Tim O’Mahony, Chief Executive of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind said: “We are indebted to John Manning and the Henry Ford & Son Ltd. team for providing us with the use of this beautiful Ford S-MAX FHEV. Driving a vehicle with pure-electric capability really chimes with the values of our team members and our organisation”.

The Ford S-MAX Hybrid sports activity vehicle uses innovative engineering to incorporate a fuel-efficient, petrol-electric powertrain into the sleek and versatile S-MAX body without compromising space, flexibility or the uniquely sporty driving experience. 

Offering seven-seat versatility alongside the refinement, efficiency and convenience of hybrid power, S‑MAX FHEV can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 10% versus a comparable diesel powertrain. 

More detail on the Ford S-MAX FHEV is available here.

Manning concluded: ‘We wish the Guide Dogs team many safe kilometres as they carry out their valuable work with the help of the S-MAX FHEV’.