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Low End Sedans (under $16k)
3871 messages, Last post on Dec 30, 2011 at 10:54 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum.What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio, Nissan Sentra, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Kia Spectra, Suzuki Forenza, Sedan
#2064 of 3871 Speaking of companies extending a helping hand to other companies to by iluvmysephia1
Nov 28, 2002 (9:23 am)
save them: the Kia America CEO cringes when people say Kia is *a division of Hyundai*. Kia is not a division of Hyundai. Kia is Kia. Hyundai is Hyundai. Hyundai OWNS 51% of Kia Motors and stepped up to the plate when Kia was flirting with bankruptcy. They operate independently from each other but, and it's a significant but, they see the need for cost sharing like all car companies these days so they platform and bin part share-that's a given. The 2003 Kia Rio's front end looks like it's morphing back to the Hyundai Accent of last year in a way.
#2065 of 3871 backy, nippon only by newcar31
Nov 28, 2002 (11:07 am)
Yeah, I work in the US Trust building. I used to work in Lasalle Plaza."The new platform for Focus and Protege will come from Europe, which begs the question: with Japanese powertrains, European design, and American components being built in large part in Mexico (at least for Focus), what on earth is the nationality of the next Focus and protege?"
The next Protege is still supposed to be built in Japan which would mean that they are most likely still going to be using Japanese suppliers. European design is nothing new to the Protege. The current generation Protege was designed in Germany, Japan, and California. You can see the German influence in the exterior design and the handling behavior.
#2066 of 3871 "Low-End Cars of the World"? by backy
Nov 28, 2002 (12:44 pm)
>>> ...we are driving world cars." <<< I think that sums it up nicely. With all the cross-breeding in the auto industry, who knows what the origin of a car is nowdays. For some cars, like the Aerio, Elantra, and Rio, it's still pretty clear what their heritage is, but it's getting murky for others e.g. the Focus and Protege.#2067 of 3871 Ford and Mazda... by browntrout
Dec 04, 2002 (9:18 pm)
I think with the 33% that Ford owns of Mazda, they are the biggest shareholder. I'm not the biggest investment guru here but shareholders do get a say in how the company is run (you get little cards in the mail to vote for certain things). I'm not sure how it is done in Japan, but in North America that's how it's done. Anyways, if you're like me (i.e. not a big institutional investor), your 500 or 600 shares basically don't mean jack. Most people don't bother to vote so that 33% that Ford owns is probably much closer to 50 or 60 when it comes down to voting.Anyways, Mazda is it's own entity enough to differentiate it from Ford. Any product that has been more Mazda than Ford always does alot better (quality wise). I think that the Focus and Protege being on the same Platform (along with the small Volvo sedan) in the future may be a very good thing. The focus platform is an excellent design, it's just the stuff attached to it (engine, transmission, brakes, etc) are not attached so well. Basically it's a quality control thing. For me, as long as the drivetrain is out of Japan, then these cars will be tough to beat.
#2068 of 3871 Mazda Drivetrains by mazdany
Dec 05, 2002 (8:47 am)
Re: 2067Well said. Focus platform is an excellent platform and it is rally proven, they came ahead of Subaru this year in the WRC. The 2.3L I4 that Mazda is putting out (in the Mazda6)is the first of the 4 cylinder engines that Mazda is making for FoMoCo as a whole. When the 2004 Focus/Protege comes out I am sure a 2.0L I4 designed by Mazda will be in the engine compartment. Has anyone heard any details on either vehicle?
#2069 of 3871 Yeah by newcar31
Dec 05, 2002 (8:52 am)
Expect a Mazda 225 hp turbo 4cyl to be available in the performance models of the next gen cars. This is according to Motor Trend.#2070 of 3871 Low-end dealers improving by backy
Dec 06, 2002 (5:06 pm)
Dealers of low-end cars came out pretty well in the latest JD Powers survey of dealer satisfaction, with six companies that sell low-end cars in the top ten:1. Lexus
2. Toyota
3. Saturn
4. BMW
(tie) 5. Honda
(tie) 5. Hyundai
7. Acura
8. Volvo
9. Mitsubishi
10. Kia
Interesting that Honda placed higher than its premium cousin Acura. Toyota's and Honda's programs to improve dealer satisfaction over the past year must be working. Also the rankings of the two Korean makes is noteworthy.
#2071 of 3871 way to go by nippononly
Dec 07, 2002 (12:43 am)
Toyota!I am most surprised to see Saturn at third - are they slipping? If I am not mistaken (and you know, sometimes I am!!), they are usually number one...
#2072 of 3871 WAIT! by coolguyky7
Dec 07, 2002 (10:30 am)
Are some people thinking that that ranking is of CUSTOMER SATISFACTION with the dealer? It's not. That study is about the DEALER SATISFACTION with the manufacturer.#2073 of 3871 You are right!!! by backy
Dec 07, 2002 (11:47 am)
That begs the question, why would J.D. Powers go to the trouble of publishing a study with such a narrow audience? I mean, why does the general public give a flip about how satisfied their dealers are with the manufacturers?To POST a message, please
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