BORG Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Automotive News is probably making a mountain out of a mole-hill, but it's still interesting to see a camoed EcoSport running around Dearborn. I'm going to assume this is just a prototype remnant that still needs to be sent off to the crushers. http://www.autoweek....RNEWS/120819889 Edited August 18, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I'd guess you're probably right, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if we were to get it here in the US not too far down the road. As ugly as they are, I see a decent amount of Jukes around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I like it! Give it a manual, keep it inexpensive. It could be a real hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Automotive News is probably making a mountain out of a mole-hill, but it's still interesting to see a camoed EcoSport running around Dearborn. I'm going to assume this is just a prototype remnant that still needs to be sent off to the crushers. http://www.autoweek....RNEWS/120819889 Crash testing for other regions? Edited August 18, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I think it could sell pretty well. Lose the rear spare tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) I think it could sell pretty well. Lose the rear spare tho. They can't, unlike B-Max, the room for the spare is reserved for AWD differential,markets like South America require the AWD option and it was set early in development. Edited August 19, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4d4evr-1 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 it is what I need,if not I guess we will get the Escape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) They can't, unlike B-Max, the room for the spare is reserved for AWD differential, markets like South America require the AWD option and it was set early in development. Then can -- if the Ecosport comes to the U.S. it might not have a spare tire, more and more new cars don't have them; Also it could have a small doughnut spare where the rear mounted is a Full size. http://www.aaa.com/A...Spare-Tires.pdf Edited August 19, 2012 by jasonj80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I think it's cute, I would say bring it over. I know for years Ford NA has not wanted to bring this product to the US because the Brazil factory isn't known for the best quality assembly, but since Ford has been tanking some initial quality surveys as of late, I say bring it on anyways, no one will notice. Buick is bringing the Encore, I would say if that does well, Ford would be smart to reconsider. Lets face it, with the CV, Ranger, TC being dropped, you need product to even maintain the market share Ford currently has. Can't expect/hope incremental sales of each and every vehicle to make up for the lost difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 They can't http://ask.cars.com/2011/02/where-is-the-toyota-rav4-sports-spare-tire-mounted-if-its-not-on-the-rear-hatch.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Lets face it, with the CV, Ranger, TC being dropped, you need product to even maintain the market share Ford currently has. Can't expect/hope incremental sales of each and every vehicle to make up for the lost difference. What's better - slightly lower marketshare and higher profits or the same marketshare with lower profits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Then can -- if the Ecosport comes to the U.S. it might not have a spare tire, more and more new cars don't have them; Also it could have a small doughnut spare where the rear mounted is a Full size. http://www.aaa.com/A...Spare-Tires.pdf By the time you do that, the B-Max begins to look like a better option.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 If Ford intends to enter this market in the US, they will need a different product. The B-Max and EcoSport are not well suited here for a number of reasons. We may see Ford develop something globally depending on how the Buick Encore does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 If Ford intends to enter this market in the US, they will need a different product. The B-Max and EcoSport are not well suited here for a number of reasons. We may see Ford develop something globally depending on how the Buick Encore does. IMHO, B-Max makes better sense in many ways than the Fiesta does. It offers smaller-than-Focus size, with easy access unmatched by anything else that size in the non-premium market, thanks to the sliding B-pillar. IMHO, it could be the Fit's worst nightmare, but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) IMHO, B-Max makes better sense in many ways than the Fiesta does. It offers smaller-than-Focus size, with easy access unmatched by anything else that size in the non-premium market, thanks to the sliding B-pillar. IMHO, it could be the Fit's worst nightmare, but I could be wrong. Could shake up Honda Fit sales, the B-max looks to be just as versatile,maybe better mainstream design, better distribution through more Ford dealerships.. Edited August 20, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) IMHO, B-Max makes better sense in many ways than the Fiesta does. It offers smaller-than-Focus size, with easy access unmatched by anything else that size in the non-premium market, thanks to the sliding B-pillar. IMHO, it could be the Fit's worst nightmare, but I could be wrong. Not going to happen with sliding doors in the US. Not only are they unpopular, particularly with the target demographic, but they are expensive. This is a premium B-segment entry likely to cost more than a Focus. Edited August 20, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 If Ford intends to enter this market in the US, they will need a different product. The B-Max and EcoSport are not well suited here for a number of reasons. We may see Ford develop something globally depending on how the Buick Encore does. B-Max aligns with Honda Fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) By the time you do that, the B-Max begins to look like a better option.. Not if they just trash the spare all together, put in an air-compressor and a can of fix a flat. I'm still 50/50 if this is goign to show up here. -- It would be another car that can help the CAFE. Edited August 20, 2012 by jasonj80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Not going to happen with sliding doors in the US. Not only are they unpopular, particularly with the target demographic, but they are expensive. This is a premium B-segment entry likely to cost more than a Focus. Yadda yadda yadda, we don't like hatchbacks either. The B-Max is hardly a traditional minivan. (WAIT, didn't someone say the FLEX had to have sliders to be marketable?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 B-Max aligns with Honda Fit Cool as they are, the doors would make it a non-starter in this market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Yadda yadda yadda, we don't like hatchbacks either. The B-Max is hardly a traditional minivan. (WAIT, didn't someone say the FLEX had to have sliders to be marketable?) Ford's research revealed that customers would be less likely to buy the Flex if it had sliders. I'm sure Ford has already market researched the B-Max for the US and concluded the same. Edited August 20, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Ford's research revealed that customers would be less likely to buy the Flex if it had sliders. I'm sure Ford has already market researched the B-Max for the US and concluded the same. Flex is a different segment, what works or doesn't work there is not entirely transportable to a subcompact utility. the efficient use of sliders in this situation is different to the stigma often associated with minivans Whichever vehicle is chosen will be incremental product increase for Fiesta's production line. Edited August 20, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 That would be a cute marketing campaign, the new Ford Ecosport with the Ecoboost engine...and yes it would help boost CAFE for Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) That would be a cute marketing campaign, the new Ford Ecosport with the Ecoboost engine...and yes it would help boost CAFE for Ford. On the truck and SUV side... Edited August 20, 2012 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Ford's research revealed that customers would be less likely to buy the Flex if it had sliders. I'm sure Ford has already market researched the B-Max for the US and concluded the same. Have you seen the market study? I don't think so, it's a different technology/application............like the hatchback Fiesta/Focus. The status quo assumption is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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