http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_37/b4099060491065.htm
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
The ECOnetic will go on sale in Europe in November
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.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein
....And the band played on...
................../sigh.
If I were to buy a gas sipper, this would be the one.
It's frightening that Ford has put ALL it's eggs into one car. The Mustang.
Instead of taking a chance that could pay off huge. If they could build them herer or Mexico and sell them for $13,000 a pop with 65mpg, they would dominate the market. Instead they're going to ride on the balls of the Mustangs popularity and hope it's still a big money maker. Yet with the Challenger & Camaro that market is about to dry up for them.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
^ I agree. I see no reason why this car wouldn't dominate the foreign market and beat out the Aveo, I hate that car.
figures, in the what car will you buy next thread I was just saying this car would realisticly be the only thing I could see trading in the Honda for
United States: Digging that hole one f*ck up at a time.
Serisouly though, what a great looking car, and 65 mpg is outstanding. I don't even know how the mustang keeps going.. we'll see with the camaro.
" Aint nothin' but a Peanut!"
Even if it came the North American, I wouldn't buy it. No big loss.
**there is only one true love in my life... and my girlfriend has learned to live with it**
I'd love to test-drive one.
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2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently
)
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
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Doesn't Ford, and many other companies, sell their European cars in South/Central America? Do they not have assembly plants there? I know it would still cost alot to import, but it seems like a plausible source.
On the plus side, Canada is relaxing some of its laws, so at least we could import some of these european cars.
