RichardJensen Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Exactly. They're not just Diesel fans, they're German vehicle fans. They might buy a Ford, but they have in all likelihood so thoroughly accepted the German vehicle branding messages that they'll be vaguely dissatisfied with their choice, regardless of its objective competence. Where they happily accepted no end of service visits on their German diesels, and persistent electronic glitches, they will be driven to distraction by, say, a single unpleasant service department waiting experience at their nearby Ford dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt in blue Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I know some people buy the marketing hook, line, and sinker but I know even more people who are frustrated with the poor experience on their luxury import vehicles. My sister has had it with the rude BMW service department - and they included maintenance for the first five years at no charge, so she interacts with them a decent amount. She bought the status of buying a luxury import (BMW x3) but will openly admit that the Escape is a better car. Configured with the same or better options as hers, it would be at least $20k cheaper as well. She is considering trading it in and I can say with confidence she won't be buying another one. Among coworkers with foreign luxury cars, most have zero brand loyalty and a number of them are constantly complaining about the rude, slow, and expensive service departments. Ford won't win the whole market segment, but I definitely think there's an opening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgts Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 The diesel Cruze was available in an handful of states, still over 10000 cars were sold. A national rollout and an additional bodystyle will generate greater sales fot the diesel model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt in blue Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 The diesel Cruze is also expensive. Spec wise, it's very similar to the Jetta but the diesel premium for the Cruze is about $7k and it's $4k for the Jetta. The Cruze is 22/35 MPG in gas, 27/46 in diesel. The Jetta is 25/34 (base) or 25/37 (sport) in gas and 31/46 in diesel. Diesel Cruze starts $4k above diesel Jetta. I am no VW fan but given the choice between a VW or a GM, I'd lean VW. I definitely wouldn't pay more for a Chevy than an equivalent VW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 At cocktail parties, people love to brag about their German imports, even if made in South Carolina. They will put up with dealer visits, just to have the bragging rights, and get the 'uuuu's and ahhhs' at parties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHorse Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 About time they offered the hatch. What are you talking about? Americans won't buy hatchbacks. I know they won't because a bunch of "experts" on this very forum said they wouldn't. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 What are you talking about? Americans won't buy hatchbacks. I know they won't because a bunch of "experts" on this very forum said they wouldn't. lol Stop following everyone around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHorse Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Stop following everyone around. It's a vicious circle. I can't tell who's following who now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 On a side note - I finally saw a rear picture of the Cruze - I found the Corvette inspired piece - the taillights because they have 4 white parts within the red taillights. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedingtones Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I am curious how a Cruze hatch will look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Here's what the last one looked like (obviously never sold in the US) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) I am curious how a Cruze hatch will look like. Visualize the rear 1/4 of the new 2016 Volt with the new 2016 Cruze front 3/4 Edited July 7, 2015 by bzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I think diesel would be more effective in Utilities where the torque and efficiency are more in evidence. The international versions of Escape, C-Max, Transit Connect and Edge would be logical to consider.. The big question as always is take rate Vs premium charged Vs added complexity to production plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt in blue Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I would trade in my 2013 Escape that I intended to keep for 15 years in a heartbeat for a diesel version, assuming a $2-4k premium over gas and a good improvement in MPG. Even better if it's a manual. Of course, I will openly admit to being a member of the manual diesel wagon mafia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I would trade in my 2013 Escape that I intended to keep for 15 years in a heartbeat for a diesel version, assuming a $2-4k premium over gas and a good improvement in MPG. Even better if it's a manual. Of course, I will openly admit to being a member of the manual diesel wagon mafia. Will all the members of the diesel wagon mafia fit in a diesel wagon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Will all the members of the diesel wagon mafia fit in a diesel wagon? The manual diesel wagon mafia? Most definitely! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 The manual diesel wagon mafia? Most definitely! As long as they sell 2,000 a month, they'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Will all the members of the diesel wagon mafia fit in a diesel wagon? Only if it is brown. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I am curious how a Cruze hatch will look like. I thought it was already posted here. Maybe I saw it somewhere else, but it did look good as a hatch and I think it will sell well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt in blue Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 It will be interesting to see if the Focus hatch rate declines as more hatches enter the market. I think the American market is becoming more friendly to hatches (and I hope a return to wagons in the future) but it's hard to tell if a particular model is selling well as a hatch because the competitors aren't offering many hatches or if it's selling well completely on its own merits. I will say that among my friends who drive vehicles that are available as both a sedan and a hatch, the younger they are, the more likely they are to own the hatch version. All my friends who have vehicles available both ways at time of purchase and are younger than me have the hatch. Most who are older than me have the sedan. While I own a Mazda 3 sedan, I bought it used as a second vehicle and would have preferred a hatch still. The hatch generally was commanding a $1000 premium on the used market. I paid $3500 so that's a huge difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Nissan will be the only mainstream car company in the US to not offer at least 1 C-segment 5 door hatchback in 2016 model year so I think it's clear to most car companies that younger buyers have a preference for hatchback and they all want to be on the consideration list. Ford: Focus GM: Cruze (2016), Volt Toyoya: Scion iM (2016), Scion xB, Prius, Lexus CT Honda: Civic (2016) Nissan: nada Hyundai: Elantra GT Kia: Forte5 Subaru: Impreza, XV Mazda: 3 VW: Golf, Audi A3 (2016) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt in blue Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Toyota also has the Scion tC. They market it as a coupe, but it's a 3 door hatch with a surprisingly large hauling capacity for its small size. Toyoya: Scion iM (2016), Scion xB, Prius, Lexus CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGR Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Nissan will be the only mainstream car company in the US to not offer at least 1 C-segment 5 door hatchback in 2016 model year so I think it's clear to most car companies that younger buyers have a preference for hatchback and they all want to be on the consideration list. Ford: Focus GM: Cruze (2016), Volt Toyoya: Scion iM (2016), Scion xB, Prius, Lexus CT Honda: Civic (2016) Nissan: nada Hyundai: Elantra GT Kia: Forte5 Subaru: Impreza, XV Mazda: 3 VW: Golf, Audi A3 (2016) FCA doesn't have a C-segment hatch either, nor does Mitsubishi(not sure if you consider Mitsu to be mainstream...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 FCA doesn't have a C-segment hatch either, nor does Mitsubishi(not sure if you consider Mitsu to be mainstream...) I forgot FCA but it does offer a C-segment hatch with Jeep Compass. Mitsubishi is not mainstream. It barely exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 FCA doesn't have a C-segment hatch either Well, it HAD one ready to launch... one if the 1st victims of Sergio's "investment re-allotment." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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