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Ford planning re-entry into subcompacts

MICHAEL BETTENCOURT

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 5:15 PM EDT 02/04/08

Ford is taking an aggressive stance with its upcoming subcompact car, the Fiesta, which appeared at the recent Detroit and Frankfurt motor shows as the Verve concept ...Read the full article

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  1. Dan Bleichman from Ottawa, Canada writes: I don't understand what Ford is waiting for, the Fiesta/Mazda 2 should had been here 3-4 years ago to give a good fight to the Toyota Eco and Honda Fit. The Fiesta also looks much better (at least in hatchback and have a positive reputation for quality in Europe. One thing Ford can't effort is to have them built in Mexico and start with all reliability issues as they had with the Mexican Focus. Also a diesel version can't hurt though even the gas one is economical.
    And really, a small car has to be a hatchback, hatchback makes much more room using same dimentions, while this isn't important for a large r platform.
  2. Richard Curtis from Kitchener, Canada writes: I wonder if Ford Canada realizes that we are a separate market, not just an extension of the northeasten US. Drive on any road in eastern Canada and count the small cars. The Fiesta hatchback is such an obvious match for the Canadian market that I would have thought that they would already have boatloads on the way. The St. Thomas Crown Victoria/Lincoln Town Car plant was originally built to be a flexible manufacturing plant. Why not build some of Ford's excellent European models there, offer them in Canada and see what happens to Ford's market share? Follow GM's example(Opel/Saturn Astra) and bring in some good European product until plant here is ready. Canada is not the USA and until the (not so) Big Three recognize this their market share will keep on going down here.
  3. Broken Record from Victoria, B.C., Canada writes: The headline is misleading. Ford never stopped building sub-compacts, they just didn't sell them here. It should have read "Ford of North America." The European Ford Ka and Fiesta have been built for many years now but Ford N.A. seems to want us to believe they don't exist.
  4. Late 4 Work from Canada writes: Richard Curtis, actually Ford is doing better in Canada then in the USA.

    I too hope Ford brings some Euro models to North America, and I think they will under the leadership of Mulhally and Farley. The big challenge is trying to convince people who hate unionized labour to drive one.

  5. r alexander from Canada writes: This is a good article to read in conjunction with the one on "shiny new cars". Unfortunately for them, the NA manufacturers figured that buyers in the US would continue to demand large sport-utes and sedans and sportscars. As others have pointed out, Canadians have tended to smaller, more fuel efficient cars, primarily for economic reasons. I can't really agree that the 80s were the golden age of japanese cars. When I consider my family's '84 Accord, '86 Corolla, '97 Civic ,'98 Camry and '05 Sienna, I'd have to say that the cars from the 90s have proven to be far more resistant to rust, got better mileage, and, though some de-contenting was visible, also had some clever features the older cars didn't. Currently, a 2009 Corolla gets almost 50mpg highway and is as big as a Camry from the 80s. I'd call that progress.
  6. r alexander from Canada writes: oops- meant to post my "80s cars" comments in another discussion.
  7. D K from Canada writes: 2010? They have already missed the boat. At least they are selling a hatch. Hopefully they will be putting in better seats than the Focus, they are dreadful.
  8. Late 4 Work from Canada writes: D K, everyone seems to like the seats in the new Focus but you.

    I cannot believe D K "the domestic hater" has even stepped inside a Focus.

    If I ever read one positive comment from you on anything from Detroit I will simply be surprised.
  9. D K from Canada writes: "Late 4 Work from Canada writes: D K, everyone seems to like the seats in the new Focus but you."

    Rented last week so at least i have an INFORMED opinion. The seats are rock hard so I seriously doubt everyone likes them. Might as well have been sitting on a metal bench.
  10. Late 4 Work from Canada writes: D K, so was there anything you liked about the re-designed Ford Focus?

    Also, just curious but why did you rent one?
  11. Hydro Glen from United States writes: At the Indianapolis and North American International Auto Shows (NAIAS), I had a chance to compare the 08 Focus, 08 Civic, and 08 Corolla. I found the Focus and Civic to be about equal in trim; both were a cut above the Corolla.

    I later test drove a Focus (5-spd manual) and had a chance to thrash it around a bit on curvy country roads. The Focus has a stiffer, more European ride and corners noticeably better than Civics I have driven. DK may be noticing the stiffer suspension in the Focus; seating was pretty much the same comfort level between all cars. Supposedly Ford will come back with rear headrests in the 2009 model; that was the only cheap touch in the car.

    As for the Fiesta (Ford Verve at the NAIAS), it looked fast; it was head and shoulders beyond the Fit and Yaris in styling.
  12. Buck Rogers from Canada writes: the only way this thing can grab market share is if its path breaking - a diesel or vegetable oil burner with extremely excellent mileage

    otherwise its destined for the pinto/vega garbage heap

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