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Article Comments - 2009 Ford Fiesta First Drive and Full Test

91 messages,  Last post on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:28 PM

You are in the Ford Fiesta Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Ford Fiesta, Future Vehicle, Hatchback

First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta - First Impressions: Small European cars haven't made much of an impression in America before, but the Fiesta might be different.(more)
 
2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium Full Test and Video - Bottom Line: We're crossing our fingers (and toes) that Ford doesn't stray too far from this winning combination of style, performance and efficiency when the 2011 Ford Fiesta finally arrives in 2010. (more)


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#66 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [homerkc] by dodgeman07
Sep 12, 2009 (11:36 am)
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Replying to: homerkc (Sep 12, 2009 6:17 am)

I hope you're right. The U.S. market has never received an "upper tier" sub-compact. We get econo-boxes. Nothing wrong with offering econo-boxes, but I believe a market has long existed (in the $20K-$23K range) for an upper-level sub-compact.
 
Times are certainly a changin' and a high-end, 100cu.ft. vehicle has buyers and profit potential at $22K. I hope Detroit can deliver because the Asians and Europeans will be.....
 
 
#67 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [dodgeman07] by jeffyscott
Sep 12, 2009 (12:16 pm)
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Replying to: dodgeman07 (Sep 12, 2009 11:36 am)

It seems to me there are some "upper tier" subcompacts, at least based on the EPA definition:
 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byEPAclass.htm
 
But I don't expect that to be the Fiesta target. I don't think there really is much of a market for $22K subcompacts in the US.
#68 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [jeffyscott] by dodgeman07
Sep 13, 2009 (12:44 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Sep 12, 2009 12:16 pm)

Times are quickly changing. Within 5 years we'll have millions of subcompacts on U.S. roads and a lot of them will be purchased for $20K plus.
 
CAFE will force this to occur and dozens are currently in the works.
#69 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [dodgeman07] by jeffyscott
Sep 13, 2009 (9:58 am)
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Replying to: dodgeman07 (Sep 13, 2009 12:44 am)

Perhaps, but I doubt it. I notice that you've already dropped you price target by 10% to $20K .
 
CAFE does not force anyone to buy and certainly does not force anyone to pay premium prices for subcompacts. In fact, it has caused manufacturers to sell small cars at a loss in the past. The new CAFE is structured differently, I believe, but I'm not really familiar with the details.
#70 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [jeffyscott] by dodgeman07
Sep 13, 2009 (11:30 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Sep 13, 2009 9:58 am)

I notice that you've already dropped you price target by 10% to $20K
 
==================================================
 
$20K plus. Some over $25K. They're on the way now and with passenger vehicle fleets required by law to average 39mpg within 6 years AND maintain future safety requirements, many will be high-end subcompact models topping out over $30K.
 
It's not a maybe. It's the next generation of U.S. passenger vehicles that are on the way now.
#71 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [dodgeman07] by jeffyscott
Sep 13, 2009 (4:57 pm)
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Replying to: dodgeman07 (Sep 13, 2009 11:30 am)

I don't think the new CAFE standards do what you think they do.
 
First of all CAFE mpg is not the same as EPA mpg. I think the new standard is 35 mpg, not 39, and 35 mpg as measured for CAFE purposes is maybe equivalent to 27 or 28 mpg as measured by EPA.
 
Secondly, my understanding was that the new standards actually vary depending on the size of the vehicle. As indicated here: http://jalopnik.com/5265996/ballyhoed-new-cafe-standards-riddled-with-hummer+siz- ed-loopholes
 
 "the actual MPG or CO2 "standard" for every manufacturer will vary depending on what they build. Footprint-based means the amount of CO2 emitted and the level of fuel economy will vary depending on the vehicles wheelbase multiplied by its track width."
#72 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [jeffyscott] by dodgeman07
Sep 13, 2009 (5:28 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Sep 13, 2009 4:57 pm)

You are correct that CAFE mpg vs EPA mpg are two different animals. Current passenger car fleets now average 27mpg per 2009 CAFE. Combined passenger car AND light truck fleets are to average 35mpg by 2016. 39mpg is for passenger cars only.
 
Yes there are loopholes, but tentative requirements are for a 5% per year efficiency increase through 2016. President Obama has barely touched this issue to date. 2010 will be different.
 
The CAFE standards will have a dramatic impact on New vehicles sold in U.S. very soon. The days of the V8 powered passenger car are nearly over.
#73 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [jeffyscott] by puffin1
Sep 14, 2009 (4:19 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Sep 12, 2009 12:16 pm)

Jeff, although I find you quite knowlegeabe,I have to disagree.
  We are, or will become a huge consumer of small cars. I think subcompacts, and compacts. I just checked out the Scion XD 1.8 liter and it was tricked out cold air intakeTRD shifter,performance pkg, etc; for $ 22k and if had a sunroof, it would of been my Home Depot car.(base price $15080.00) Don't forget gas is cheap now, but not for long.
   Also, cheaper and more cargo capacity for heated seat$ 800.00.
    So I'm talkin $22,800 and a comparable Mini is $24,800.00
            If you can fine me a 2 door HB with all the bells and whistles for 23k I'd appreciate it. Maybe a V Dub, cause I don't see any American car company doing it. Thanks and keep up the research.
#74 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [puffin1] by jeffyscott
Sep 14, 2009 (5:54 am)
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Replying to: puffin1 (Sep 14, 2009 4:19 am)

Of course you can push the price to $22K+. Apparently one can even get the MSRP of a Hyundai Accent to $18-19K, that does not mean that most or many people are going there.
 
All I am saying is that most buyers have not been interested in a subcompact at that price level and I do not see that changing, I guess we will have to wait and see if it does.
 
$20 or 22K is certainly currently far above what the typical buyer of these small cars has been paying for them.
 
This article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-05-28-small-car-prices-SUVs_N.htm
reports that subcompacts were selling for an average $14,217 as of about 1.5 years ago.
  
To get back to the topic, I will predict that the Fiesta will feature a base price of no more than $13,xxx and I will be very surprised if it starts above $15K, let alone above $16K as Edmunds has predicted.
#75 of 91
Re: two tiers of "B" cars [jeffyscott] by dodgeman07
Sep 14, 2009 (12:57 pm)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Sep 14, 2009 5:54 am)

Yes - back to the Fiesta. I'm looking forward to driving one next year and the 5-door hatch looks good in photos. The sedan not so much.
 
As for pricing I'd guess Ford will bring in a "low tier" base model under $15K. Probably $14,XXX plus destination so they can offer a $14,900 entry price.
 
Then again I thought Honda would keep the Insight under $19K and I missed on that one. Honda went too high, too soon on the Insight but the exchange rates also forced their hand somewhat.

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