Ford to Release 65mpg Car, but NOT in America - GoFuckYourself.com

dav3 · 09-15-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have
Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic gets an astonishing 65 mpg, but the carmaker can't afford to sell it in the U.S.

by David Kiley

If ever there was a car made for the times, this would seem to be it: a sporty subcompact that seats five, offers a navigation system, and gets a whopping 65 miles to the gallon. Oh yes, and the car is made by Ford Motor (F), known widely for lumbering gas hogs.

Ford's 2009 Fiesta ECOnetic goes on sale in November. But here's the catch: Despite the car's potential to transform Ford's image and help it compete with Toyota Motor (TM) and Honda Motor (HMC) in its home market, the company will sell the little fuel sipper only in Europe. "We know it's an awesome vehicle," says Ford America President Mark Fields. "But there are business reasons why we can't sell it in the U.S." The main one: The Fiesta ECOnetic runs on diesel.

Automakers such as Volkswagen (VLKAY) and Mercedes-Benz (DAI) have predicted for years that a technology called "clean diesel" would overcome many Americans' antipathy to a fuel still often thought of as the smelly stuff that powers tractor trailers. Diesel vehicles now hitting the market with pollution-fighting technology are as clean or cleaner than gasoline and at least 30% more fuel-efficient.

Yet while half of all cars sold in Europe last year ran on diesel, the U.S. market remains relatively unfriendly to the fuel. Taxes aimed at commercial trucks mean diesel costs anywhere from 40 cents to $1 more per gallon than gasoline. Add to this the success of the Toyota Prius, and you can see why only 3% of cars in the U.S. use diesel. "Americans see hybrids as the darling," says Global Insight auto analyst Philip Gott, "and diesel as old-tech."

None of this is stopping European and Japanese automakers, which are betting they can jump-start the U.S. market with new diesel models. Mercedes-Benz by next year will have three cars it markets as "BlueTec." Even Nissan (NSANY) and Honda, which long opposed building diesel cars in Europe, plan to introduce them in the U.S. in 2010. But Ford, whose Fiesta ECOnetic compares favorably with European diesels, can't make a business case for bringing the car to the U.S.
TOO PRICEY TO IMPORT

First of all, the engines are built in Britain, so labor costs are high. Plus the pound remains stronger than the greenback. At prevailing exchange rates, the Fiesta ECOnetic would sell for about $25,700 in the U.S. By contrast, the Prius typically goes for about $24,000. A $1,300 tax deduction available to buyers of new diesel cars could bring the price of the Fiesta to around $24,400. But Ford doesn't believe it could charge enough to make money on an imported ECOnetic.

Ford plans to make a gas-powered version of the Fiesta in Mexico for the U.S. So why not manufacture diesel engines there, too? Building a plant would cost at least $350 million at a time when Ford has been burning through more than $1 billion a month in cash reserves. Besides, the automaker would have to produce at least 350,000 engines a year to make such a venture profitable. "We just don't think North and South America would buy that many diesel cars," says Fields.

The question, of course, is whether the U.S. ever will embrace diesel fuel and allow automakers to achieve sufficient scale to make money on such vehicles. California certified VW and Mercedes diesel cars earlier this year, after a four-year ban. James N. Hall, of auto researcher 293 Analysts, says that bellwether state and the Northeast remain "hostile to diesel." But the risk to Ford is that the fuel takes off, and the carmaker finds itself playing catch-up?despite having a serious diesel contender in its arsenal.

dav3 · 09-15-2008, 04:26 PM

And people wonder why Ford and Chevy are getting owned by Toyota and Honda.

born2blog · 09-15-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dav3

And people wonder why Ford and Chevy are getting owned by Toyota and Honda.

Acura is my fav brand of vehicles, which they also own Honda

F-U-Jimmy · 09-15-2008, 04:33 PM

I flew back from Medoc in France last week. All the cars are small Renaults, Ford Fiestas etc some diesel some petrol (gas) most are getting more than 40 mpg. I think there is more to the story than just America does not like Diesel ?

BFT3K · 09-15-2008, 06:10 PM

I wonder why Ford can't manufacture fuel efficient cars for sale here in the US?

I know America is not run by Big Oil in any way, so I just can't figure it out...

dav3 · 09-15-2008, 06:37 PM

I can't believe that I had forgotten to link to the original story.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...9060491065.htm

But yea, once again big business interferes with something that would be a potentially great thing for the American people.

Pornstuck · 09-15-2008, 06:57 PM

The Fords that are released in US and Canada are weak compared to what they release in EU and AU.

Lookit these cars on the Australian website.

www ford com au

Fap · 09-15-2008, 07:11 PM

why do gas efficient cars have to be so ugly..

edit:
except the tesla

dav3 · 09-15-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banthis

why do gas efficient cars have to be so ugly..

edit:
except the tesla

I actually think the body styling of that Ford isn't that bad. And besides that, it's not just 'gas efficient' cars that are ugly:

The Chevy Malibu is terrible looking.

The new Taurus is pretty horrendous as well.

But yea, that Tesla is badass though.

Spunky · 09-15-2008, 07:32 PM

I like those Teslas..sharp looking ride

IllTestYourGirls · 09-15-2008, 07:35 PM

Why cant they make these cars for sale in the USA? Government regulations. Until the left realize that we will continue to get fucked by the big businesses they want to get under control

shwsrvcs · 09-15-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by born2blog

Acura is my fav brand of vehicles, which they also own Honda

Acura is owned by Honda
Infinity is owned by Nissan
Lexus is owned by Toyota
Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM Daewoo, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall, and Wuling is owned by GM
Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury, Volvo of Sweden, Mazda of Japan, Aston Martin of England is owned by Ford Motor Company...

The American companies are too FAT.

DG

Kudles · 09-16-2008, 09:18 PM

Good that thing is ugly

dav3 · 09-16-2008, 09:23 PM

its not about the appeal of it's outer cosmetic layer. the point is that it gets 65mpg and saves you money over the lifespan of the car. but then again, it's a ford so the lifespan is quite limited.

tranza · 09-17-2008, 07:02 AM

Pretty nice design!

NikKay · 09-18-2008, 07:42 AM

I'd buy it!

seeandsee · 09-18-2008, 08:20 AM

tesla car is nice!

pornguy · 09-18-2008, 08:39 AM

One of the things that hurts the american car companies in the US market, is the simple fact of the Safety features that are mandatory by law. Adds an ass load of weight, and the mpg goes down.

DWB · 09-18-2008, 10:49 AM

Do you mean to tell me that the USA, the GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD can not have this car?

Ohhhh nos!!!!

09-15-2008, 04:26 PM	#2
dav3 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,348	And people wonder why Ford and Chevy are getting owned by Toyota and Honda. __________________ Webmasters :: Juicy Ads :: ACWM :: Crak Revenue :: Money Tree

09-15-2008, 04:33 PM	#4
F-U-Jimmy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Visiting a city near you soon ! Posts: 6,853	I flew back from Medoc in France last week. All the cars are small Renaults, Ford Fiestas etc some diesel some petrol (gas) most are getting more than 40 mpg. I think there is more to the story than just America does not like Diesel ? __________________ icq. 176240424 44.years as a pornographer !!!!!!!!!!!

09-15-2008, 06:37 PM	#6
dav3 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,348	I can't believe that I had forgotten to link to the original story. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...9060491065.htm But yea, once again big business interferes with something that would be a potentially great thing for the American people. __________________ Webmasters :: Juicy Ads :: ACWM :: Crak Revenue :: Money Tree

09-15-2008, 07:32 PM	#10
Spunky I need a beer Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ♠ Toiletville ♠ Posts: 133,928	I like those Teslas..sharp looking ride __________________ *YOUR INFORMATION HERE*

09-15-2008, 07:35 PM	#11
IllTestYourGirls Ah My Balls Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Under the gold leaf ICQ 388-454-421 Posts: 14,311	Why cant they make these cars for sale in the USA? Government regulations. Until the left realize that we will continue to get fucked by the big businesses they want to get under control __________________

09-15-2008, 06:10 PM	#5
BFT3K Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Narnia Posts: 10,764	I wonder why Ford can't manufacture fuel efficient cars for sale here in the US? I know America is not run by Big Oil in any way, so I just can't figure it out...

09-15-2008, 06:57 PM	#7
Pornstuck So Fucking Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 67	The Fords that are released in US and Canada are weak compared to what they release in EU and AU. Lookit these cars on the Australian website. www ford com au

09-15-2008, 07:11 PM	#8
Fap Just Du It Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 12,094	why do gas efficient cars have to be so ugly.. edit: except the tesla

09-16-2008, 09:18 PM	#13
Kudles Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Here There and Everywhere Posts: 5,477	Good that thing is ugly __________________ Free to Play MMOs and MMORPGs

09-16-2008, 09:23 PM	#14
dav3 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,348	its not about the appeal of it's outer cosmetic layer. the point is that it gets 65mpg and saves you money over the lifespan of the car. but then again, it's a ford so the lifespan is quite limited. __________________ Webmasters :: Juicy Ads :: ACWM :: Crak Revenue :: Money Tree

09-17-2008, 07:02 AM	#15
tranza ICQ: 197-556-237 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: BRASIL !!! Posts: 57,559	Pretty nice design! __________________ I'm just a newbie.

09-18-2008, 07:42 AM	#16
NikKay Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,642	I'd buy it!

09-18-2008, 08:20 AM	#17
seeandsee Check SIG! Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europe (Skype: gojkoas) Posts: 50,945	tesla car is nice! __________________ BUY MY SIG - 50$/Year Contact here

09-18-2008, 08:39 AM	#18
pornguy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Homeless Posts: 62,911	One of the things that hurts the american car companies in the US market, is the simple fact of the Safety features that are mandatory by law. Adds an ass load of weight, and the mpg goes down. __________________ PornGuy skype me pornguy_epic AmateurDough The Hottes Shemales online! TChicks.com \| Angeles Cid \| Mariana Cordoba \| MAILERS WELCOME!

09-18-2008, 10:49 AM	#19
DWB Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Encrypted. Access denied. Posts: 31,779	Do you mean to tell me that the USA, the GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD can not have this car? Ohhhh nos!!!!