silvrsvt Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Hmmm - I just remarked on this sort of discussion over on one of the threads about the new Dodge Dart, which offers 3 different transmissions. Vive la difference I say. I'm with GTwannabe on this particular issue. I forgot the fact that the Focus only comes with the 2L engine, thus no reason NOT to offer a stick on all trim levels.... Anyways....the deal with the Dodge Dart...I haven't see anything with packaging on it...is the stick going to be limited to lesser and sport models, and the Automatic on lower end cars with a DSG style transmission on upper tier cars? Some times having too much to chose from is as worse as not having any choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Mopar-Fiat has alot of Fiat 500's unsold too, so are small cars "dead" then? point is, quit panicing, and I would say the WSJ is anti Detroit. They want to say "Big 3 cannot make good cars" with any piece of info that they can. Later this year when new Fusion and Escape arrive, all of those attractive incentives will suddenly disappear... About that time, I would expect that Focus and Fiesta will be given good cash incentives and attractive 0% financing, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKNSLS Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Don't hold your breath. He's just trolling. I have enough posts I am not a troll. I don't have any proof of what I am saying about the design - it's just MHO as is the case with others here. However, I just saw a pic of the Fusion, that's a winner! The Fiesta is too Euro looking, again it's MHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Anyways....the deal with the Dodge Dart...I haven't see anything with packaging on it...is the stick going to be limited to lesser and sport models, and the Automatic on lower end cars with a DSG style transmission on upper tier cars? Fiat's C635 six-speed manual transmission will be standard with all three engines (link), and it looks like the 1.4T + dual clutch transmission configuration will be available on all but the R/T model (link). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I don't have any proof of what I am saying about the design Then you should qualify your statement. "I think" is a great way of doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I don't think anyone has used that argument for some months now. Dean uses it quite frequently (And recently). All my local Ford dealers are well stocked though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Dean uses it quite frequently (And recently). All my local Ford dealers are well stocked though. Dean works at a Ford dealership. If he's out of stock and says so, that's worth something. And he never tries to pass of his personal experience as indicative of the national situation. It's generally remarks like, "Well, we've only got 4 SEs and a Titanium on the lot" or "We sold the last of our allocation yesterday." It's never something like, "There's no way Ford is short. We've got sixteen on our lot right now!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 The Fiesta is being rejected for it's design. I have said this as early as 1 month ago on one of these forums......... If it is being "rejected" for any reason it would be size... not design. North America has never been known to be a huge market for cars this size. Ford knew this when they decided to bring the car here, but they figured the additional sales would be worth it since they were developing the car for different parts of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 It's panic time!!!!! Ford has to stop Focus production and bring back the ZX2 and Escort immediately! They need cheap, cheap cars!!!!! And "buyers have rejected Fiesta's design"???? No, I'd say it's the "gas is cheap, honey lets get that SUV now". Then when gas goes back to 4 bucks, the same family will be desparate to trade in the beast for a small car. Cycle of the market. Only thing I agree with is that manual trans should be avail on all trims. For 2013, drop the SEL, and bring back SES, with sport suspension, and unbundle some of the options as stand alone, such as alloys and cruise. And for gosh sakes, kill the manual rear windows! But no huge rebates again, they ruin resale value. Once the new Fusion and Escape are out in summer, then the penny pinchers will go "Oh Honey, the Focus is cheaper, lets get that". Don't you mean the Cortina because of RWD ect... In all seriousness you have made some good points. It is probably a combo of the high transaction price when others are fire selling their cars, cheaper gas, the old Fusion and Escape deals, and the bad rap on the MFT and DCT (in the case of the Focus). These problems should take care of themselves over time and Ford should make sure no MFT or DCT-like problems show up in the future. It's time to move forward, never backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I wonder how many Fiesta sales were "Lost" to the new Focus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 If it is being "rejected" for any reason it would be size... not design. North America has never been known to be a huge market for cars this size. Ford knew this when they decided to bring the car here, but they figured the additional sales would be worth it since they were developing the car for different parts of the world. Competition is just stiffer than it was when the Fiesta launched. New models from Mazda and Nissan, plus redesigns from Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 My two cents: I originally wanted a Focus but I had to wait another year and my 93 Topaz would not make it for another without some money which could have been used for something useful like a down-payment. I wasn't expecting our first child at the time of purchase and the extra space would have been beneficial. Sure I could have and have looked at the Fit and Versa for comparisons sake. The Yaris and Aveo are plain ugly. The competition is plain cheap in looks, materials and design. It sells to a lifestyle of young urban couples because of space utility and urban footprint. It makes a great second car for commuters sure but pretty much anything can do that. Ford has to make money on small cars and made the choice of design and interior content over space in the B segment. The cars are comfortable, quiet, nimble, fuel-efficient, fun to drive and stylish. I can live in this small car over it's competition and that's why I pulled the trigger. I expected a higher interest (6.99%) and Employee pricing over 72 months. I plan to drive the car into the ground so I'm happy, Ford made some cake and I walked in with my eyes open. I agree that you can get a better deal on a Fusion or Current Escape. I prefer Ford sells that off the lots. That won't last forever. My question if the dealers are not getting the stock, why not? Did they make the purchasing choice and not want any Fiesta and Foci for size/styling/reputation? These possible reasons may make dealers wary of ordering them and not been able or willing to sell over the old safeties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyd Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Toyota is about to launch a new assembly plant down south to pump out new Toyota Corollas....not good for our Fiesta and Focus. Toyota will undersell to move them. As we all know, the majority of foreign cars are bought by women and minorities.Trying to change them to buy American is like trying to ask them to vote other than Democratic. ( I apologize to the very small group of women and minorities who still buy American). Competition is just stiffer than it was when the Fiesta launched. New models from Mazda and Nissan, plus redesigns from Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pictor Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Considering the sanctimonious dumb-asses they have to choose from , why would they. ( I am talking about the Republicans, not the cars) Toyota is about to launch a new assembly plant down south to pump out new Toyota Corollas....not good for our Fiesta and Focus. Toyota will undersell to move them. As we all know, the majority of foreign cars are bought by women and minorities.Trying to change them to buy American is like trying to ask them to vote other than Democratic. ( I apologize to the very small group of women and minorities who still buy American). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Please don't start a political argument here. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Dean uses it quite frequently (And recently). All my local Ford dealers are well stocked though. well in my defense my market is So Cal, so trends are pretty interesting here, case in point the flex. As for the compact cars, we are just starting to get a semblence of inventory, sales are steady, but no, not spectacular...but theres several variables at work here. For starters, even if we had 20 or 30 on the lot, buyers have been spoiled for so long with large rebates, 0 % interest and discounts, AND getting the vehicle just the way they want, that theres an interesting "re-boot" happening. Buyers are learning that things are changing, discounts and rebates are NOT as large as they used to be...and thus the "impulsive" sales are literally non-existant now. Usually a sale now is after a customer has been to 3 or 4 dealers only to basically have been told the "new" buying parameters. Casre in point, when the Explorer first came out I had people at my office doors DUMBFOUNDED there wasnt $6000 rebates or 0 %.....always love the "Fine, then I'll wait" comments. I am seeing this with the Focus and Fusions, plus, as dealers WE too are learning what "mix" has been embraced and what hasnt....SE's and SELs seem to be the meat...Titaniums not so much....and I think that is solely because of pricing....will it turn around...perhaps, but that takes time AND people learning the cars are priced that way for a reason AND good word of mouth. ( course, small car sales always get thrown the gas price bone too....we basically sold out when gas hit $4 plus ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Competition is just stiffer than it was when the Fiesta launched. New models from Mazda and Nissan, plus redesigns from Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota. excellent point, and I would lay money on the fact the competitions rebates and incentives are greater than the Fiesta.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHorse Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) Toyota is about to launch a new assembly plant down south to pump out new Toyota Corollas....not good for our Fiesta and Focus. Toyota will undersell to move them. As we all know, the majority of foreign cars are bought by women and minorities.Trying to change them to buy American is like trying to ask them to vote other than Democratic. ( I apologize to the very small group of women and minorities who still buy American). That factory is in Mississippi and it has been turning out Corollas since November of last year. Guess how I know that? And I'm neither a woman nor a minority but you can bet that after my experience with the Focus that I won't be "buying American" again either. I do however vote Republican so I guess your little stereotyping just got blown clean out of the water. Edited January 13, 2012 by BlackHorse 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) Ford said supply was an issue in August and September, and not in October, November and December. I don't think anyone has used that argument for some months now. And why would they? Focus sales have been up the past couple months, as has its market share. :shrug: Ok, maybe Ford hasn't said this. But this has been the defense of many here on BON of recent for the slow/low sales figures. I know even during their initial releases, neither the Focus nor Fiesta have been hot sellers locally. My dealer alone has 33 Focus on their lot collecting dust. Then you should qualify your statement. "I think" is a great way of doing that. Problem is, even if you qualify your statement, you get the same type of response here. Doesn't matter if you state "I think" or IMO", or even provide a link to a reputable source, people here just go on the attack and call said source a rag or Ford basher. Edited January 13, 2012 by V8-X 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) Ok, maybe Ford hasn't said this. But this has been the defense of many here on BON of recent for the slow/low sales figures. I know even during their initial releases, neither the Focus nor Fiesta have been hot sellers locally. My dealer alone has 33 Focus on their lot collecting dust. It is a fact that the initial Focus inventories were constrained. I spent several weeks looking for one in June and ended up ordering one. There were very few on dealer lots. Others have confirmed the same thing at their local dealerships. You can't judge an entire national market based on what YOU see at YOUR dealer. You need to take into account what other people are seeing, especially Dean and other dealer reps. Problem is, even if you qualify your statement, you get the same type of response here. Doesn't matter if you state "I think" or IMO", or even provide a link to a reputable source, people here just go on the attack and call said source a rag or Ford basher. If you say "I think" and state a fact that conflicts with common sense or other known parameters then you're going to get called on it. If someone says "I think the Earth is flat" would you not correct them? Edited January 13, 2012 by akirby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 It is a fact that the initial Focus inventories were constrained. I spent several weeks looking for one in June and ended up ordering one. There were very few on dealer lots. Others have confirmed the same thing at their local dealerships. You can't judge an entire national market based on what YOU see at YOUR dealer. You need to take into account what other people are seeing, especially Dean and other dealer reps. I never stated there wasn't the inventory issue initially. My point being, that even though inventory has stabilized now and is an average of 90+ days, people continue to use this excuse. If you say "I think" and state a fact that conflicts with common sense or other known parameters then you're going to get called on it. If someone says "I think the Earth is flat" would you not correct them? Well, I provided the "I think" statement (based on common sense and knowing my market) about the Explorer, Fiesta and Focus for my region, and it has followed that path. Sure they may be hot sellers in other area's, but my responses typically are in reference to the Rocky Mtn region, and many times more specific to CO. Doesn't mean my statement is true nationwide or worldwide, but it does hold water for what the majority of our local demographic purchase. We'll wait and see if my thoughts hold true for the upcoming Escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I never stated there wasn't the inventory issue initially. My point being, that even though inventory has stabilized now and is an average of 90+ days, people continue to use this excuse. Citation needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Ok, maybe Ford hasn't said this. But this has been the defense of many here on BON of recent for the slow/low sales figures. I know even during their initial releases, neither the Focus nor Fiesta have been hot sellers locally. My dealer alone has 33 Focus on their lot collecting dust. Problem is, even if you qualify your statement, you get the same type of response here. Doesn't matter if you state "I think" or IMO", or even provide a link to a reputable source, people here just go on the attack and call said source a rag or Ford basher. I wonder sometimes why sedans and FWD smaller vehicles alonbg with those with less ground clearence sell better in Sunshine states and why pickups and 4x4 SUVs sell better in snow belt states...for some unbeknownst reason i cant figure it out............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 LOL The smallest Ford car I could buy, would be a Fusion, and that is because you can get AWD. My Mom, who now lives with us, is terrified to drive her Mazda6 in bad weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnostic Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 LOL The smallest Ford car I could buy, would be a Fusion, and that is because you can get AWD. My Mom, who now lives with us, is terrified to drive her Mazda6 in bad weather. You have Bad weather in AZ ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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