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08-03-2017, 04:11 PM | #1 |
Small cars are a big deal
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Ford Dropping the Fiesta for North America
It looks like Ford is saying adios! to the Fiesta for 2018, stating that models like this are in decline. I wonder if this is the beginning of the end for subcompact vehicles in North America?
http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...fiesta-st.html I have to say, Toyota is one of the few companies that have always offered a subcompact vehicle in the U.S. Tercel, Paseo, Echo, Yaris. But sometimes I wonder—is the Yaris next?
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08-03-2017, 04:36 PM | #2 |
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^^^ Well, that's news indeed!
The Fiesta HB is a neat little car with much better than decent design and great features. Nevertheless, it's a POS. But, that's another conversation. Yes, is this the beginning of the end for some small cars in America? Too bad, but Americans have never been enamored with small cars, especially hatchbacks. Lower gasoline prices don't help sales of small cars, and adult obesity rates at about 1/3 (and still growing) don't help either. We can only hope the Yaris is around for a long time. |
08-03-2017, 04:39 PM | #3 |
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it wouldn't surprise me, especially with their decision to not update the 1nz in the recent years as well as have Mazda make the iA.
They'll likely keep it as long as it is profitable but I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to drop it when it starts costing them too much. It is a good way to get people started on Toyota vehicles. If they're the only sub compact available and it is priced accordingly than many will buy it as their first car and once they see how reliable it is their next family vehicle might be a corolla or camry. Toyota is likely willing to take a loss on them for that reason, sort of like a loss leader that stores use to bring people in to buy other products.
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No one ever wants to give a Yaris the point by... |
08-03-2017, 04:49 PM | #4 |
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Maybe they're dropping it because they realized what a unreliable car it is?
Don't they realize that Obama sponsored legislation to require all cars sold in the United States to get 50 miles per gallon by such and such a year? how are they going to meet the requirement by getting rid of cars like that?
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08-03-2017, 05:26 PM | #5 |
I read a post on Wheelwell saying the Focus RS isn't going to make it past 2018, but it sounded more like a limited run / keep it rare type situation.
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08-03-2017, 05:26 PM | #6 |
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All well and good until oil prices go up and a gallon of gas surpasses $4...
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08-03-2017, 05:35 PM | #7 |
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It already does here! $1.059 per litre for E10 94 RON, $1.079 per litre for 91RON and $1.459 per litre for 98RON. The 98RON includes all the additives that are supposed to help clean the engine like the US "Top Tier" gas.
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08-03-2017, 05:43 PM | #8 |
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08-03-2017, 05:53 PM | #9 |
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The amount of times I've seen an adult in a subcompact beside me at a stop light and I am actually seeing them through the back seat window instead of the drivers window... ain't no room for the belly in a subcompact!
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No one ever wants to give a Yaris the point by... |
08-03-2017, 07:39 PM | #10 |
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Americans tend not to like subcompacts in general ("THEY ARE A DEATHTRAP!!!!"), and hatchbacks in particular - unless they are in the form of a meatier SUV/Crossover (raised off the ground somewhat on oversized wheels/tires) and adorned with that cheap 'tough guy offroad' plastic trim around all the wheel-wells and body edges (which fades like hell in any decently sunny region).
Americans that do opt for subcompacts usually do so for budgetary or thrift reasons, which is why the Yaris SE (for example) is usually rarer than bigfoot on the roads, and why the basic version of the Nissan Versa sells like hotcakes compared to pricier subcompact alternatives in the U.S (such as the Fit or even the Yaris L). Yes, it is pretty sad that 1/3 of America is obese, and another 1/3 is 'somewhat overweight'. Probably adds to the popularity of SUV's/Trucks. More room/power needed to haul the lard around. Last edited by Kalispel; 08-03-2017 at 11:28 PM. |
08-03-2017, 08:22 PM | #11 |
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Isn't Honda Fit a hatchback subcompact selling well in USA?
(I'll repeat--Toyota and their dealers kept Yaris a secret in my part of the Northeast...also Echo and Tercel for that matter. And the 86.) |
08-03-2017, 08:25 PM | #12 | |
Drives: '15 Yaris SE 5MT Join Date: Jun 2014
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Quote:
Sadly, as low as new Yaris sales are in the U.S., most of those are probably rental fleet sales numbers at that. Plus, there is the fact that you can usually pick up a Corolla or iM for the same price as a Yaris LE/SE, once rebates/incentives are factored in - something that is never offered on the Yaris. The Yaris is the red-headed-stepchild to Toyota dealers (and Toyota corporate) in the USA. |
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08-03-2017, 11:06 PM | #13 | |
Pumpman
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Quote:
The Yaris powertrain here hasn't kept up with the rest of the world (sans the Maza build iA) and sales haven't picked up as much as previous generations. One of the big advantages the Yaris and other sub-compacts have always had is their high fuel economy, but at this point the gap between the sub-compacts and compacts is getting smaller and smaller. Hard to justify getting a Yaris for its fuel economy when a Corolla can match it. (Then there's the Prius too, but I woun't start that conversation.) Even the new Yaris iA (Yaris Sedan here in Canada) isn't available in my area. Or anywhere else on the western side for that matter. I'd have to order one in from Quebec... My prediction is a slow death to the sub-compact market.
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08-04-2017, 08:17 AM | #14 |
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Mind of Toyota-- Yaris Prius styling subcompact
Maybe Toyota was scared of what their outside design house had created in the 2nd gen Yaris hatchback. It is egg-like--round cornered and round edged. What if Toyota loyalists saw and liked that? (With the rest of their line so sharp edged, particularly the popular Prius...they really don't know why people buy Prius. Hybrid w/ high mpg but expensive replacement battery? Green reputation to impress their friends? Sharp corner/edge styling?)
I wouldn't consider any Prius at any price. Too complex. Distracting drivetrain performance panel up on the center of the dash pad where my Yaris has all its instruments. Expensive battery. No little hatchback to remove rear seat for great cargo space and high fraction of vehicle weight on 2 driving wheels. Last edited by dogsridewith; 08-05-2017 at 07:48 AM. |
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