Team-BHP - The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

- - The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have - Hope India gets it soon (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/45580-65-mpg-ford-u-s-cant-have-hope-india-gets-soon.html)

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

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 (Wireless Technology, Inc.) 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.

Content Courtesy: Business Week
The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

Very less chances that this car will see the light of the day in India anytime in the near future. Two-door hatches are still not a viable option for the avg.

The next in line from the Ford line-up could be the Ford Focus sedan, priced anywhere between 11-13 lacs INR. This would be bang in Corolla, Civic territory. I read about the Focus in an auto magazine (can't remember which one) a few months back about a possibility of the Focus getting launched in India early 2009.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anarchist (Post 972992)

some body please ask ford to get this HOTTIE in India.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anarchist (Post 972992)

The main one: The Fiesta ECOnetic runs on diesel.

So what? Mercedes is already selling the bluetec and VW are re-introducing their Clean Diesel TDi cars back into North America starting from 2009.

and BMW is going to introduce their diesel four banger (or is it 6) sometime next year.
Probably Ford Diesel engines are not LEV as Benz, Bimmer and VW engines are.

65mpg - under what conditions ?

That works out to 27kmpl. Even a Swift will give that much on the highway.

If that car is brought to India, it will have to be tweaked into a 4 door hatch, with a slight increase in weight - and a resultant drop in FE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor (Post 973094)

That works out to 27kmpl. Even a Swift will give that much on the highway.

wow never heard of that before. 27 KMPL by a Swift ? DDiS or petro ? I think neither gives that mileage

@ac 427, do keep an eye open, right here. A figure close to that was reported by a fellow member, quite recently. And just wait for Autocar, they will give you better figures very soon !

condor, even if a solitary member reported such a figure I think thats highly disputable. If there had even been a remote possibility of achieving such a thing in regular driving (even highways) Maruti would have latched onto it long back. Knowing the way this country hankers for FE figures (rightly so to some extent, IMO) I believe a mainstream ad for 27 kmpl figures would increase that queue to a year's worth, if not more. And I am sure Maruti won't complain. :D

As for Automags, their FE figures particularly the ones derived from all those closed door contests they run the lesser said is the better.

I think the problem for Ford isn't diesel but cost. Their UK website says the Fiesta ECOnetic starts from GBP11,845 which is roughly USD 21,000. I don't think North Americans are going to put 21K down on a small, cramped Ford hatch even if it's a diesel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia (Post 973025)

Isnt Ford planning a small car launch next year ?

@Zappo, we have Chetan's cousin too with similar figures ! Like you said, the manufacturers will not comlain.

This ford sure looks to be a Fiesta & Logan competitor. And swift will soon join the list.