From MotorAuthority.com: 2011 Ford Fiesta U.S. features revealed
The Big Three Detroit carmakers are struggling right now, but their plans for the future are still bright – perhaps all the brighter thanks to the focusing nature of the current crisis. As part of the Blue Oval’s future, the Fiesta small car will finally be making its way back to the U.S. as a 2011 model in 2010, and now Ford has revealed the key features of the car via the Fiesta’s minisite.
This car would sell like hotcakes if Ford had it now. Unfortunately for Ford, it won’t arrive here until 2010 as a 2011 model. GM and Ford actually make widely acclaimed small cars for the European market and haven’t offered them to U.S. customers.
According to this NY Times article, Fast-Tracking Some Good Cars, it’s the differences between American and European safety and emission standards and the recertification that’s necessary that’s causing a delay in the introduction of these cars to the U.S. market. The writer suggests the suspension of U.S. requirements and accepting European standards for the next few years to allow American auto manufacturers to fast track the small cars into the U.S. market.
Related article:
MotorTrend.com: Gotta Have Cars: 2010 Ford Fiesta
9 Comments
way too big. needs to be small and cheap, with no bells and whistles…
Chevy Metro / Suzuki Swift both made at the same plant in Canada were discontinued after 2001 (last model year). These cars easily got well over 40 mpg highway. Problem was, they compared too favorably with the pricey hybrids and SUVs so they were killed in the U.S. market.
That doesn’t make sense in regards to the hybrids. Neither Chevy nor Suzuki had a hybrid at the time. The Prius was released worldwide until 2001. I just think people were buying SUV’s and not small cars at the time. Remember, gas in 2001 was around 1.40 a gallon.
Yes MT. Good point about the hybrid void at some showrooms. But I’m not convinced the SUV craze was consumer driven. Now, its back to the future. Civic is perfect example. Its weight demensions, horsepower all increased each model year until it is now bigger than the Accord was and no longer a “compact.” Honda has had to introduce the new “Fit” model to fill this. Likewise, they’re all scrambling to have a Metro/Swift-like compact in their line ups. And since you mention Preious, go ahead and compare hwy mpg of pricey Prious with the new Swift coming to America next year.
I personally would not opt for the complexity of a prius or any other hybrid to “go green.” Especially if comparable gas savings could be realized with the availability of a conventional combustion compact like the 2011 Ford Fiesta. I’ll be Ford’s first customer when they belatedly market this thing in America.
I think part of the reason small cars weren’t selling is that most of the small cars were just cheap and not appealing. I have high hopes for the new generation of small cars that are small, fun, and sporty.
I think hybrid like the Prius are good for people to get used to the idea of electric drivetrains. In the future with Plug-in hybrids, you’re going to get closer to replacing the combustion engine. But, you’re right, a good diesel gets great gas mileage.
Yeah MT, diesel is coming full circle. The VW rabbit had it right, then disappeared. As for small cars in general; why is it that Ford, GM and others have such marketing success of these mini cars in Europe but haven’t offered them here? I never could quite get the appeal of the behemoth 4 wheel drives in sunbelt states where there is little snow? It would seem the agile sporty appeal of a sedan or convertible took back seat to these gas pig SUVs? Why? Was it brilliant marketing or a culture of 6000 pound pieces of metal and synthetic that must surround our derriers? Myself, I have never owned a gas pig and have been frustrated at the relative small consumer choice of compacts.
Personally, I LIKE bells and whistles – even on a miniscule vehicle. “Small” does not necessarily have to translate to “obviously cheap” or “bare bones utilitarian”; some of us enjoy our creature comforts and power amenities – regardless of the size of the package in which they come. I also do NOT aspire to a “thrilling driving experience” wherein a “pocket rocket” mini torpedo harnessing 300 HP of turbo-charged dynamite will convey me around a horseshoe bend in the road on two wheels breathing fire from twin chromium-plated tailpipes. A reasonably comfortable, quiet, miserly fuel efficient, smooth shifting conveyance in which to transport myself, a few groceries and a few changes of clothing upon occasion will be quite sufficient for me, thank you very much.