Ford Fiesta Econetic
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Around 65 MPG with a 1.6 Liter Turbo Diesel in a Fiesta.
This version will be on sale in Europe next year.
That is pretty amazing. This is exactly what Ford need sin the US. Even with high diesel prices, I bet a 65 MPG sub $15 000 car could be pretty popular over here as well.
The car pictured here is the regular version. The Econetic model will get a special front end as well as side skirts and spoiler.
That car would have a line out the door if it were on sale now in the US. Hopefully, they (ford) can figure out how to produce it here quicker than the current time line.
Conceptually, bringing this car to North America is a great idea. On paper a turbo diesel Fiesta is a clear winner: low price, fantastic fuel economy and stunningly good looks.
Eventually (ie, perhaps in a couple of years) it is conceivable that Ford would be able to offer this efficient and attractive car in North America. What is highly questionable (to me at least) is that they would be able to sell it for less than $15,000.
With the exchange rate between the Euro and USD as it is if this vehicle was brought over from Europe (ie, Ford’s Fiesta plants in Spain or Germany) Ford would probably have to charge at least $20,000 to make any money on this car. The car could be imported from Ford’s Fiesta plant in Brazil or a Ford plant in Mexico could be tooled up … however, I just can’t see them getting the price below $15,000 without losing money on every one.
Perhaps what Ford should do is consider following the path laid out by Mini, Toyota (Prius), Smart (fortwo) and Volkswagen (diesel models). Even though this Fiesta Econetic is an “economy car” (bad word here in North America) they may be able to push it upmarket a little bit (not too much mind) and charge slightly more based on its ultra efficiency, good looks and a higher level of standard equipment. Just because a car is small and very efficient doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be ultra cheap.
Yes Vince, Ford may need that here, but Big Oil does not, and so it will never see the light of day in North America.
Maybe and maybe not, Vince. There isn’t an infrastructure for diesel stations in big cities. I am in a DC suburb (10 miles from the White House) and within a 3 miles radius, there are 12 regular gas stations and within 1/2 mile, there are 4 stations. In order for me to get to a diesel station, I have to drive 15 miles to I-95. With traffic congestion in my area, it would take me an hour back and forth just to fill up and spent a few gallons doing so. Americans are not ready for that. We like conveniences and are willing to pay for it. Look at the cottage industry of house cleaning, home delivery of food, gourmet deli food ect.
Yes, gas is high and we whine about it but a majority of consumers will not forgo convenience just to get 65mpg diesel cars.
Ford would make $5 profit on this in the USA. Ford would be stupid to bring this here, they would go broke selling these.
“but Big Oil does not”
But Small Oil does.
Isn’t it interesting that when gas prices went through the roof diesel went even higher?
“but a majority of consumers will not forgo convenience just to get 65mpg diesel cars.”
I would forego it, namely because there is no general inconvenience involved. First the majority of Americans do not live in downtown DC. Most of us have a reasonable commute. Second, if this car has an 11 gallon tank, a person could easily go over 650 miles between fill-ups. I guarantee you that when the typical American drives 650 miles he/she goes by quite a few diesel stations. 98% of us, anyway.
I costs a lot of money to scrub diesel clean of sulfur…Again it is the murdering governments that are causing high prices…They want you little people out of your cars…I do to.
What kind of a tasteless infantile would think this thing looks good….
I figure even with diesel being a $1 more per gallon… 65 mpg vs 23 mpg would save me #107/1000 miles so since I drive 23000/year that’s $2461 savings I could be interested…damn even if I could use regular and get 35 mpg I could save $1265 maybe that new Kia Forte would do the trick…maybe I should walk
“Most of us have a reasonable commute. Second, if this car has an 11 gallon tank, a person could easily go over 650 miles between fill-ups. I guarantee you that when the typical American drives 650 miles he/she goes by quite a few diesel stations. 98% of us, anyway.”
Sure 650 miles but you are traveling the same road all the time.. commuting to work remember.
Sure there are diesel stations along major corridor (I-95 ect) but they are quite away from big cities where most people live. You have to discipline yourself even more and I don’t think most will. Imagine getting your car and find not enough diesel to go to the nearest station to fill it up. This is when reality hits.
Europe has the infrastructure for diesel.. they are everywhere that sell regular gas too.
“First the majority of Americans do not live in downtown DC.”
I say i live in the suburb not in dc. dc is small and once you cross any of the bridges you are either in virginia or maryland.
Look around next time you drive around and count how many stations sell diesel. Most people drive to same places all the time anyway.
I would love to see a poll on this ..
I am heading to Rehoboth next week, I will be sure to look out for diesel stations.
What gas stations in the US refuse to seel diesel? As long as I can remember I’ve seen diesel right along side gasoline everywhere!
As promised, I made a round trip from Rehoboth Beach to DC and found only 2 stations selling diesel (royal farm i think). There are ‘tons’ of regular gas stations. Of course, there might be some along the way but NOT on my route. Moreover, I didn’t need to fill up with regular gas either but that is not the point.
Along Coastal Highway (route 1) in Rehoboth Beach, there was no diesel for sale. Again, maybe they have them blocks from route 1 but I wouldn’t know it. There are at least 20 regular gas stations along route 1.
So, unless the infra-structure is there, diesel wouldn’t never take off here. Kinda sad though ..