Hugh Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Meh...I don't think the B-Max would do that well here...... Although, I wonder if they could make a hybrid out of it. Seeing as there were reports of doing a hybrid minibrand right? It would fit in below the C-Max and be a Prius C competitor. I feel the B-Max could get a better reception vice the EcoSport. Now does it make a business case in NA? Probably not. As for it part of the Hybrid/Energi family? It'd might have a better chance. I know some of us (myself too) bemoan the lack of a Grand C-Max here. However, I see the case for a C-max in the current lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I still wonder if the B-Max interior would need much modification to fit in the Ecosport... I do not see the B-Max selling well here. It's got the minivan curse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I still wonder if the B-Max interior would need much modification to fit in the Ecosport... I do not see the B-Max selling well here. It's got the minivan curse. The interior trim is something that's relatively easy to change but exemplifies the origin of Ecosport design, the basic intention to serve those specific markets. I was surprised that ord didn't account for those changing needs across non-traditional Ecosport markets. One of the big changes required for Everest was to replace the down market tupperware interior with something more suited to buyer expecting higher quality trim on the interior. I would expect Ecoport needs no less of a rework to appeal to people outside BRIC countries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I do not see the B-Max selling well here. It's got the minivan curse. Worse--it looks like a minivan but it lacks the space of a minivan. It might sell as a taxi, but it really has nothing to recommend it over a sedan or CUV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnV Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 (edited) Worse--it looks like a minivan but it lacks the space of a minivan. It might sell as a taxi, but it really has nothing to recommend it over a sedan or CUV. I think the B-Max would sell better here than the Fiesta does but I don't see that segment as being a priority for Ford. I have a hard time understanding how big it is. When I look at videos on YouTube, it almost looks the size of the C-max. I like the size of the C-max but I don't like that it doesn't come in a gasoline version. As for the curse of the minivan, I think those that point that out are correct. Look at sales of the Mazda 5. It has never sold that well but it really looks quite practical. Edited January 22, 2015 by LincolnV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think a B-Max with four swing doors would sell better than the fiesta - The Fit is very MPV like IMHO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 My bestfriend has a Mazda5 and she loves it. It's a 2006 and it's a rattle trap with horrible NVH but thats typical of Mazda's. She loves it no matter what and how much fun we make of it. She likes the fact it's small and very tossable, but we are able to get 6-7 people in there easily. Tight squeeze on the 3rd row, but we aren't by any means fat people, cept for my long legs which I do well in the 2nd row. She was excited to venture into a new Ford Grand C-Max but Ford tabled that idea. With a good 30HP, and a few extra gears in the transmission with better NVH is really all the car needs. I think Mazdas issue is the small dealer network, mediocre service depts, and barely any advertising on a vehicle approaching 9 year mark. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Worse--it looks like a minivan but it lacks the space of a minivan. It might sell as a taxi, but it really has nothing to recommend it over a sedan or CUV. You have no idea how small the B-max is. it the size of the Fiesta hatchback. /= a Minivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Dimensions of Fiesta, B-Max, C-Max & EcoSport 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Millimeters????????? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 (edited) Millimeters????????? Lots of 'em, it seems . . . Check out this article on the original RAV4, which was apparently a B-size. http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/my-first-car-the-birth-of-a-class-1680988786 Edited January 22, 2015 by Edstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 One m, two ms - only makes a slight difference (3 orders of magnitude). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Just my 2 cents: Versa and Fit were lauded for the interior space in this segment. They were wagons and they fleeced the buying public as far as I'm concerned by selling them as hatchbacks. B-Max has the higher roofline and space to compete in B segment. Fiesta took the conventional route as a classic hatchback and was panned for it. Remember that cars have gotten bigger and the space inside the B segment is equivalent to what compacts were considered 10 years ago. Now folks may be standoffish at the B-Max because of it's unconventional door setup but that could possibly be amended. With gas prices dropping, the compact market may take a hit. However, FE is not the only reason for getting a compact. The overall footprint and utility make a city dwellers life easier. It is also a great segment for second car/commuter. Concerning Grand C-Max, it made sense to not have it here when there's Transit Connect. I feel the Wagon version is not getting enough coverage in advertising and the feature availible could use some beefing up and some standardization with the rest of the lineup. I noticed in B&P I can't get the EB16? WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 How can you "fleece" a buyer when they can plainly see exactly what they're buying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 (edited) I think a B-Max with four swing doors would sell better than the fiesta - The Fit is very MPV like IMHO. I think it will sell reasonably well. The B-segment in the US market is entering a period of diffusion with cars like Kia Soul finding a lot of success seemingly at the expense of more conventional styled hatchback. But it's not all about body style... the product has to be compelling and value proposition has to be there. Case in point, a B-Max like car with 4 swing out door will resemble Nissan Cube... a colossal failure in the US market because of poor packing (CVT and anemic power) and poor valuation proposition (imported from Japan with high costs vs. dirt cheap Mexican Versa in the same showroom). Edited January 22, 2015 by bzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think it will sell reasonably well. The B-segment in the US market is entering a period of diffusion with cars like Kia Soul finding a lot of success seemingly at the expense of more conventional styled hatchback. But it's not all about body style... the product has to be compelling and value proposition has to be there. Case in point, a B-Max like car with 4 swing out door will resemble Nissan Cube... a colossal failure in the US market because of poor packing (CVT and anemic power) and poor valuation proposition (imported from Japan with high costs vs. dirt cheap Mexican Versa in the same showroom). Well, it doesn't help the Cube was hideous on top of all that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Well, it doesn't help the Cube was hideous on top of all that... unless you are a hipster or a middle age woman in the middle of a mid-life crisis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 for perspective on the EU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 How can you "fleece" a buyer when they can plainly see exactly what they're buying? Purely anecdotal of course, I have not have a Fit or Versa owner admit they were owning in respects a wagon. A 'Tall' Hatchback yes. It's rose coloured glasses for the faithful and it's eaten up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Purely anecdotal of course, I have not have a Fit or Versa owner admit they were owning in respects a wagon. A 'Tall' Hatchback yes. It's rose coloured glasses for the faithful and it's eaten up. I guess you have a different definition of fleeced. I interpret that as taken advantage of financially. If you're saying they were deluded into calling it a hatchback instead of a wagon then I can agree with that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I guess you have a different definition of fleeced. I interpret that as taken advantage of financially. If you're saying they were deluded into calling it a hatchback instead of a wagon then I can agree with that. Fair enough, I was a little too much with the hyperbole. In a sense you could say that money was taken on what some would say is savy marketing and salesmanship. I had an ex looking at replacing the civic and the dealer told her that the Versa suspension was the same used in an Infinti. Which is savy or an attempt at fleecing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Fair enough, I was a little too much with the hyperbole. In a sense you could say that money was taken on what some would say is savy marketing and salesmanship. I had an ex looking at replacing the civic and the dealer told her that the Versa suspension was the same used in an Infinti. Which is savy or an attempt at fleecing? I could call that fleecing because it's a lie and there is no way for the average customer to know the difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 When ever I see a white Nissan Cube on the road, my first thought is of toilet or portapotty on wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 When ever I see a white Nissan Cube on the road, my first thought is of toilet or portapotty on wheels. Oh come on now......that's insulting to portapotties. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Oh come on now......that's insulting to portapotties. The portapotties are the green or blue Cubes 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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