Ford Fiesta (why it isn't selling)

[NLPRacing]

Dang, you could buy a speed yellow 2004 Porsche Boxster S with 6 speed manual and 40,000 miles for $18,000-$20,000. And it will go 165mph, corner like a go-cart, has two trunks, and will do 0-60 in about 5.2 seconds. Sorry Fiesta.

 

A 7 year old car with expensive maintenance, no warranty and a 5 year loan with high interest. Yeah, that's much better than a new Fiesta...

[FordBuyer]

A 7 year old car with expensive maintenance, no warranty and a 5 year loan with high interest. Yeah, that's much better than a new Fiesta...

 

You can buy an extended warranty for four years bumper to bumper for about $3,500 bringing price up to about $22,000 about same as loaded SES Hatchback Fiesta. And the Boxster is a convertible that will open and close up to speeds of 40mph. Where else can you can get the thrill and exhileration of a Flat DOHC 6 behind your ear at full song for that price? I should say behind your back as that flat engine sits so low in vehicle for terrificly low center of gravity. I would agree though not being able to see the engine from the top does lead to higher repair bills. A lot easier to check all fluids though. Further, Porsches never get old, they just get better.

[esevans]

Further, Porsches never get old, they just get better.

 

Porsches get old just like Escorts got old. And as much as I hate to say it, after many years lusting after muscle/sports cars, an old car is more or less just an old car to me now. New and improved versions seem to be available on a daily basis. A 6 year old Porsche may be fun to drive, but it wouldn't make sense to have one for everyday transportation. If I had to finance it, and buy a warranty to make myself sleep better, I think I'd rather have the Fiesta. On the other hand, a Boxster would be a cool car for the weekends.

[aneekr]

BTW, can anybody tell me what exactly is a Camry?

It is the Anglicized version of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown." (See here)

[jpd80]

It is the Anglicized version of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown." (See here)

Makes sense as it was the replacement for the Toyota crown, a BOF vehicle btw......

Edited December 12, 2010 by jpd80

[FordBuyer]

The two things that bother me the most about the Fiesta is the hatch costing $2,000 more than the sedan, and those stupid looking Christmas tree lights operating as running lights in place of proper fog lights. It looks like Ford is going to replace all their fog lights with those LED Christmas lights. The Ford engineer that came up with that idea and got it accpeted should move to another auto company.

[dwford]

The whole point of Ford's "One Ford" strategy was to lower development costs by building one car worldwide for each category. I doubt Ford is concerned about the US sales of the Fiesta, considering that the same factory in Mexico supplies Fiestas for all of North and South America. The idea that a car needs to sell 100's of thousands of units solely in the US is outdated. As more and more designs become globalized, looking at only US sales is irrelevant. Also, Ford has lowered its break even point so it is profitable at much lower sales volumes. As long as the Fiesta is selling to willing buyers with minimal factory incentives, Ford will be happy.

[FordBuyer]

The whole point of Ford's "One Ford" strategy was to lower development costs by building one car worldwide for each category. I doubt Ford is concerned about the US sales of the Fiesta, considering that the same factory in Mexico supplies Fiestas for all of North and South America. The idea that a car needs to sell 100's of thousands of units solely in the US is outdated. As more and more designs become globalized, looking at only US sales is irrelevant. Also, Ford has lowered its break even point so it is profitable at much lower sales volumes. As long as the Fiesta is selling to willing buyers with minimal factory incentives, Ford will be happy.

 

How much of Ford's overall profit for year comes from America only? I would say about 80% since Europe right now is losiing money and at best does maybe $1 billion/year, and Ford has to share profit with Chinese company in China. So I would think American and Canadian sales matter a lot to Ford's bottom line and overall financial health. If Ford is picking up market share in North America, Ford is usually healthy or healthier, and conversely unhealthy if it's not. So while good global sales help Ford's bottom line, North America with America in particular is the CORE of Ford's profit and health.

[06mariner]

Exactly - average transaction price for Fiesta > Focus.

 

 

Just opened the newspaper and one dealership has a 11 Focus SE with a sticker of $18,810 going for $169/month 72 months or on lease for $157/ month for 27 months with $2,500 down for both compared to a Fiesta SE with a sticker of 16,660 at a lease price of 175/ month for 27 months at 2500 down .....Price for Price after rebates the Fiesta is more expensive by about $1,000.

 

Another place has a Focus SEL with a sticker of $21,585 down to $15,499 and a Fiesta at $15,560 down to $14,499 . Leasing both at 139/month 27months w/2500 down. I don't know about anyone else but I would without a doubt pick a loaded Focus to lease/buy over the Fiesta right now....or even better, the same dealership is offering a $119/month lease on Fusions with sunroof and sync for the SAME 27 months and $2500 down. This certainly can't be helping the Fiesta's case.

[akent1936]

Already mentioned, but: Gas is relatively cheap. 2011 Foci are also relatively cheap plus offer financing incentives and special lease rates. Just wait a while.

[akirby]

Already mentioned, but: Gas is relatively cheap.

 

It just hit $3 in Atlanta. I guess relatively cheap is relative.......

[jpd80]

How much of Ford's overall profit for year comes from America only? I would say about 80% since Europe right now is losiing money and at best does maybe $1 billion/year, and Ford has to share profit with Chinese company in China. So I would think American and Canadian sales matter a lot to Ford's bottom line and overall financial health. If Ford is picking up market share in North America, Ford is usually healthy or healthier, and conversely unhealthy if it's not. So while good global sales help Ford's bottom line, North America with America in particular is the CORE of Ford's profit and health.

Swings and roundabouts.

Not so long ago Ford NA was making huge losses the rest of the company had to carry best it could.

USA/Canada is extremely important to Ford and makes up the bulk of their income, when it's sputtering

the whole company suffers but now that they are back on track, other areas of the world can be managed

easier and since all vehicles sold now must make a profit, losses are much better controlled.

 

The losses coming out of Europe are way smaller compared to Ford NA's losses in recent years.

Edited December 12, 2010 by jpd80

[sullynd]

If I had to replace my Escape today it would be between the Focus and Fiesta. I love the Fiesta. Originally planned on getting one when we got the Flex (Decided to replace the family car first).

 

All that said, I'd have a hard time passing up some of the deals going on the Focus (Call me crazy, but I've never minded the current body style).

[timmm55]

The two things that bother me the most about the Fiesta is the hatch costing $2,000 more than the sedan, and those stupid looking Christmas tree lights operating as running lights in place of proper fog lights. It looks like Ford is going to replace all their fog lights with those LED Christmas lights. The Ford engineer that came up with that idea and got it accpeted should move to another auto company.

 

I don't know how well they functionm, but I love the look!

[Anthony]

Just opened the newspaper and one dealership has a 11 Focus SE with a sticker of $18,810 going for $169/month 72 months or on lease for $157/ month for 27 months with $2,500 down for both compared to a Fiesta SE with a sticker of 16,660 at a lease price of 175/ month for 27 months at 2500 down .....Price for Price after rebates the Fiesta is more expensive by about $1,000.

 

Another place has a Focus SEL with a sticker of $21,585 down to $15,499 and a Fiesta at $15,560 down to $14,499 . Leasing both at 139/month 27months w/2500 down. I don't know about anyone else but I would without a doubt pick a loaded Focus to lease/buy over the Fiesta right now....or even better, the same dealership is offering a $119/month lease on Fusions with sunroof and sync for the SAME 27 months and $2500 down. This certainly can't be helping the Fiesta's case.

 

Theres always going to be something cheaper. Ford needs to figure how to advertise why you are paying a premium to buy this car without scaring buyers into a cheaper bigger car.

[twintornados]

Ford has built over 80,000 Mexican Fiestas so far and only about 15,000 or so have been sold in America. Not sure where all the rest are since Canada and South America are much smaller markets. The inventory is just starting to build. The reasons I would give for slow sales is Ford is not putting much cash on the hood and no big lease deals yet, and Focus with all those incentives is a better deal. With fuel prices creeping up, and better deals on Fiesta coming, Fiesta sales should improve significantly over coming months.

....in Metro Detroit

[Michigander]

High price,Mexican made

[aneekr]

....in Metro Detroit

Central Indiana, Chicagoland, and Twin Cities too...

[Deanh]

You can buy an extended warranty for four years bumper to bumper for about $3,500 bringing price up to about $22,000 about same as loaded SES Hatchback Fiesta. And the Boxster is a convertible that will open and close up to speeds of 40mph. Where else can you can get the thrill and exhileration of a Flat DOHC 6 behind your ear at full song for that price? I should say behind your back as that flat engine sits so low in vehicle for terrificly low center of gravity. I would agree though not being able to see the engine from the top does lead to higher repair bills. A lot easier to check all fluids though. Further, Porsches never get old, they just get better.

and yet you could pay a hell of a lot less and park it next to a restored Citrien 2CV and guess which car people would gravitate towards...Porches are like Rolex watches, every A-hole in newport beach has one....and comparing a USED vehicle of any entity to a new one is absolutely absurd.

[FordBuyer]

and yet you could pay a hell of a lot less and park it next to a restored Citrien 2CV and guess which car people would gravitate towards...Porches are like Rolex watches, every A-hole in newport beach has one....and comparing a USED vehicle of any entity to a new one is absolutely absurd.

 

Since Porsche only sells about 4,000 Boxsters/year in North America, I kind of doubt it. Kind of a very low volume vehicle. Now sure you are going to see more Boxsters in CA and FL because they can be driven year around. In MI, they are primarily summer cars only like mine. Mine has never been in salt and never will be unless I sell it and new buyers puts it on salted roads. I don't buy new anymore because when I look at prices of new vehicles, I can't help thinking about what I could buy used with that money. Lots of cherry, top end vehicles out there in $20,000 range and even below. And if you do your homework you can find one you can drive for years with little to no problems. Carfax, and purchase inspections take a lot of worry out of it. I really don't see the new vehicle market ever coming back to its former glory days.

[Deanh]

Since Porsche only sells about 4,000 Boxsters/year in North America, I kind of doubt it. Kind of a very low volume vehicle. Now sure you are going to see more Boxsters in CA and FL because they can be driven year around. In MI, they are primarily summer cars only like mine. Mine has never been in salt and never will be unless I sell it and new buyers puts it on salted roads. I don't buy new anymore because when I look at prices of new vehicles, I can't help thinking about what I could buy used with that money. Lots of cherry, top end vehicles out there in $20,000 range and even below. And if you do your homework you can find one you can drive for years with little to no problems. Carfax, and purchase inspections take a lot of worry out of it. I really don't see the new vehicle market ever coming back to its former glory days.

then, on that note you forfeit all rights to discuss and critisize the pricing of new vehicles. Send your opinions to P.O Box 69, Mission Fails, Ca........lol

[taxman100]

High price,Mexican made

 

Don't forget too small for the amount of money they are asking.

 

Right now you should be buying the types of vehicles that will not be available in a few years - like anything you really want to own.

 

Little crackerbox cars will be available forever, and since that is all Big Brother wants you to drive, you may as well put it off as long as possible.

[silvrsvt]

Don't forget too small for the amount of money they are asking.

 

 

So explain all those Mini's that are selling out there? Ford doesn't need to to have the sales crown in this market, as long as they are making $$$ on the product.

 

 

 

 

 

[Deanh]

So explain all those Mini's that are selling out there? Ford doesn't need to to have the sales crown in this market, as long as they are making $$$ on the product.

Bingo and as far as Im concerned a lost opportunity for For...How about this type of promotion....Before you buy a Mini drive a Fiesta.......and with the $4000 you save drive 40,000 miles free in the meantime........

[Edstock]

Bingo and as far as Im concerned a lost opportunity for For...How about this type of promotion....Before you buy a Mini drive a Fiesta.......and with the $4000 you save drive 40,000 miles free in the meantime........

B-size isn't for everybody. As we see above, the brain-dead think that small cars have to be cheap cars: "Don't forget too small for the amount of money they are asking." So, with that ill-educated mind-set, bigger is better.

 

But, smaller is the future for lots of people, as family demographics change and as cities get more crowded. "Little crackerbox cars" to the brain-dead may be actually very luxurious and relatively expensive. If you own a condo in a built-up urban area, the bloat barge that the brain-dead consider to be a proper, non-crackerbox might not fit in the parking space, for example.