You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8691 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 1:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, smart fortwo, MINI Cooper

#8388 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [nippononly] by ateixeira Apr 29, 2009 (10:53 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Apr 28, 2009 7:32 am) I guess so.   They definitely have to kill the $14,990 pricing on those bare-bones Rabbits, though.   Drop the base model entirely and have those start at $18k, then offer the Polo for $15k.   I'm still not convinced they'll do significantly more volume than the current Rabbit does now, though.   Bring that cool little super-turbo 1.4l engine and offer a model with that for $18k or so. Then they could earn the bang-for-the-buck crown. That could create a halo for other Polo models.   I still wonder if they can produce them cheaply enough. Maybe assemble them in Mexico. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 29, 2009 10:57 am) nippononly (Apr 29, 2009 3:17 pm)
#8389 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by kyfdx HOST Apr 29, 2009 (10:57 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) I bet the Polo never happens for the US...
#8390 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by nippononly Apr 29, 2009 (3:17 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) Well there's no doubt in my mind that all VWs under $25K including Polo will be built in Mexico (or points south) from now on. If they ever manage to get the new plant built in the U.S., I am sure it will build Passats and one of the crossovers.   I hope the Polo DOES make it here.
#8391 of 8691 VW Golf and Polo by igozoomzoom Apr 29, 2009 (3:22 pm)
The argument that the Polo and Golf are too close in price (and size) doesn't seem logical to me. There were quite a few folks who said the same thing about the Honda Fit being to similar to the Civic. Yet the Fit has been a runaway hit and Civic sales have remained very healthy, too.   A lot of people tend to look at the Jetta as being more upscale than the Golf/Rabbit. In reality, they're the same basic car. The Jetta is offered in more trim levels with more features than the Rabbit/Golf, but the Polo would allow the Golf to move upmarket. The Rabbit 3-door was a loss-leader for VW, priced $2000 lower than the 5-door.   There's room (and demand) for a Golf comparable to the Jetta SE and/or SEL. The Mazda3 5-door is proof that there's a market for premium compacts well in to the $24k+ range. A $15k Polo and $18k-up Golf would co-exist quite well, IMO. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 30, 2009 8:24 am)
#8392 of 8691 How long would you wait? by steve_ HOST Apr 29, 2009 (5:00 pm)
Tata Nano So Popular It Could Take Years for Customers To Get Cars (Straightline)
#8393 of 8691 I don't see... by iluvmysephia1 Apr 29, 2009 (8:42 pm)
nothin' wrong with that Tata Nano subcompact. Or is it a kei-car? Sub-subcompact? Tiny little car being maufactured by an Indian carmaker and selling for around $4,995, give or take a whisker or a hair. Replies to this message: plekto (Apr 29, 2009 9:52 pm) nippononly (Apr 30, 2009 6:13 am) fintail (Apr 30, 2009 6:17 am) and 1 more...
#8394 of 8691 Re: I don't see... [iluvmysephia1] by plekto Apr 29, 2009 (9:52 pm)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Apr 29, 2009 8:42 pm) Actually, it's about $2500 USD. Think basic motorcycle cheap. Replies to this message: nippononly (Apr 30, 2009 6:13 am) fintail (Apr 30, 2009 6:17 am) ateixeira (Apr 30, 2009 8:26 am)
#8395 of 8691 Re: I don't see... [plekto] by nippononly Apr 30, 2009 (6:13 am)
Replying to: plekto (Apr 29, 2009 9:52 pm) Yes, but the Nano Europa that will be smog- and safety-compliant (and have a larger engine) for Europe and the U.S. is projected to cost around $4995. As such, I think they will sell a million of them here as long as they have 3/36 and 5/60 warranties like all the other automakers.   And iluv: I think this one is as big as what we consider to be subcompact. Replies to this message: fintail (Apr 30, 2009 6:17 am) ateixeira (Apr 30, 2009 8:26 am)
#8396 of 8691 Re: I don't see... [nippononly] by fintail Apr 30, 2009 (6:17 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Apr 30, 2009 6:13 am) The globalized transportation pod nightmares are made of.   It would be better with a low-speed low-range electric system. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 30, 2009 8:26 am)
#8397 of 8691 Re: VW Golf and Polo [igozoomzoom] by ateixeira Apr 30, 2009 (8:24 am)
Replying to: igozoomzoom (Apr 29, 2009 3:22 pm) Allow me to clarify my earlier point - the current Polo is made in Europe (I think?), and what I said was VW could not sell it here any cheaper than the $15995 they want for the Rabbit now.   Moving production to Mexico and moving the Golf upscale would change that scenario. I think both of those things would have to happen first.

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