Subcompact sales fail to impress; Ford Fiesta and Chevy Aveo selling similarly
#1
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Subcompact sales fail to impress; Ford Fiesta and Chevy Aveo selling similarly
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/08/s...hevy-aveo-sel/
Despite the wave of all-new compact and subcompact fighters hitting the market right now, sales of small cars in the U.S. don't appear to be budging much. According to Cars.com, models like the much-hyped Ford Fiesta are struggling to do much better than their older, stale counterparts at other automakers. So far, the Fiesta is number four in sales in the subcompact segment, falling well behind the Nissan Versa with 6,724 sales in November, the Honda Fit with 4,180 units and the Hyundai Accent at 4,052. In fact, Ford only managed to move 3,473 Fiesta units – just a hair above the 3,262 soon-to-be-replaced Chevrolet Aveo vehicles that rolled off of dealer lots last month.
Fortunately, the news is a little better for larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors managed to sell 8,066 of its small sedans in the vehicle's first full month on the market, and a total of 8,955 new-for-2011 Volkswagen Jetta models found homes during the second to last month of the year as well. Even the aged Ford Focus saw its sales jump by 27 percent to 13,030 in November thanks in no small part to an aggressive incentive program.
Head over to Cars.com for a full breakdown of America's disappointing subcompact sales, then chime in with your thoughts on the matter in Comments.
Fortunately, the news is a little better for larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze. General Motors managed to sell 8,066 of its small sedans in the vehicle's first full month on the market, and a total of 8,955 new-for-2011 Volkswagen Jetta models found homes during the second to last month of the year as well. Even the aged Ford Focus saw its sales jump by 27 percent to 13,030 in November thanks in no small part to an aggressive incentive program.
Head over to Cars.com for a full breakdown of America's disappointing subcompact sales, then chime in with your thoughts on the matter in Comments.
#4
Lexus Test Driver
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on a roll of remarkably nonsensical declarations of late, not least of which are the "mpg" ratings for the 2011 Nissan LEAF and 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The latest, and possibly silliest, pronouncement: the 5,771-pound, 453-horsepower V-12 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe is a compact car.
How, in the name of all things measurable, did the EPA come to that conclusion? The EPA classes cars not on weight, length, or some other exterior factor, but on interior volume. Even more laughable? The Bentley Continental GTC, at 5,663 pounds and 552 horsepower, is classed as a sub-compact. The Aston Martin DB9 and DBS? Mini-compact cars in the same class as the MINI Cooper.
By way of comparison, the Toyota Prius; Nissan Altima, Sentra, and Versa; Hyundai Elantra; Chevrolet Malibu; Ford Fusion; Kia Optima; and Audi A6 are all classed as "midsize" cars.
But what's the point of the EPA's classification structure anyway? To regulate fuel economy, dividing passenger vehicles into sub-categories. The rub? While cars are rated on internal passenger and cargo volume, pickups, SUVs, and minivans are rated on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The result: many heavy pickups and SUVs aren't held to fuel economy standards at all.
How, in the name of all things measurable, did the EPA come to that conclusion? The EPA classes cars not on weight, length, or some other exterior factor, but on interior volume. Even more laughable? The Bentley Continental GTC, at 5,663 pounds and 552 horsepower, is classed as a sub-compact. The Aston Martin DB9 and DBS? Mini-compact cars in the same class as the MINI Cooper.
By way of comparison, the Toyota Prius; Nissan Altima, Sentra, and Versa; Hyundai Elantra; Chevrolet Malibu; Ford Fusion; Kia Optima; and Audi A6 are all classed as "midsize" cars.
But what's the point of the EPA's classification structure anyway? To regulate fuel economy, dividing passenger vehicles into sub-categories. The rub? While cars are rated on internal passenger and cargo volume, pickups, SUVs, and minivans are rated on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The result: many heavy pickups and SUVs aren't held to fuel economy standards at all.
#5
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This lagging sales trend as of late is also directly correlated to consistently low gas prices in the last 2 years. However, it has started to shift again in the last month as it has gone from $2.50-$3.00/gal. Experts are saying to get ready for more hikes for a number of reasons including a declining dollar and tight drilling regulations. As we saw 3 years ago when gas shot to $4, you couldn't even find a sub-compact to save your life. I think it's great that we now have all these choices. I'm sure the automakers are assuming that gas price hikes are inevitable and getting these cars ready is smart even if there's a slow start.
#6
This is fairly accurate for the most part. However, there are a good amount of people who prefer sub-compacts even if they can afford a larger car.
This lagging sales trend as of late is also directly correlated to consistently low gas prices in the last 2 years. However, it has started to shift again in the last month as it has gone from $2.50-$3.00/gal. Experts are saying to get ready for more hikes for a number of reasons including a declining dollar and tight drilling regulations.
This lagging sales trend as of late is also directly correlated to consistently low gas prices in the last 2 years. However, it has started to shift again in the last month as it has gone from $2.50-$3.00/gal. Experts are saying to get ready for more hikes for a number of reasons including a declining dollar and tight drilling regulations.
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#9
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the standard mpg for a compact is now 50 mpg (prius), so the standard mpg for a midsize to fullsize should be 35 mpg mixed.
standard gasoline 4 cyl and 6 cyl all do horrible in traffic, it makes little difference. all those "highway" ratings are completely useless on standard gasoline cars.
standard gasoline 4 cyl and 6 cyl all do horrible in traffic, it makes little difference. all those "highway" ratings are completely useless on standard gasoline cars.
#11
people in usa want their small cars with small prices... hence Fiesta is not doing well... once they put some incentives in, it will sell better.
i dont like fiesta imho, style over substance... there is minimal versatility in that car, unlike fit and yaris.
i dont like fiesta imho, style over substance... there is minimal versatility in that car, unlike fit and yaris.
#13
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1) They named it Fiesta. Reminds people of the old small clunky Fiestas made in the 80s; or it just reminds people that it's simply old and outdated. Ford should have had a metamorphosis, not a flashback. Ford should have given it a new name, like how Toyota didn't call the Yaris a Tercel or Echo.
2) They marketed it for Europe. Which is fine. In Europe. They emphasized sportiness and amenities.
In the U.S, they should have emphasized economy and efficiency. Ford should have flaunted it to be the same value (not price, value) as a Yaris/Fit.
Last edited by PhilipMSPT; 01-27-11 at 04:00 PM.
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I was a big fan of the Fiesta until recently when I spent some time with it at the autoshow.
I still like it for style and efficiency but there's a major problem that I think is the sales killer here in the US. Its interior space, or lack thereof.
The Fit and Versa are huge inside - the Versa's interior is actually classified as midsize and it's a sub-compact. The Fit's cargo space looks like an SUV but with a nice deep floor. And the Yaris is Just as roomy as a Corolla. The Japanese are genius space makers.
If you're an adult, forget about riding in the back of the Fiesta. It's a neck breaking procedure getting in. Even the front is cramped.
I still like it for style and efficiency but there's a major problem that I think is the sales killer here in the US. Its interior space, or lack thereof.
The Fit and Versa are huge inside - the Versa's interior is actually classified as midsize and it's a sub-compact. The Fit's cargo space looks like an SUV but with a nice deep floor. And the Yaris is Just as roomy as a Corolla. The Japanese are genius space makers.
If you're an adult, forget about riding in the back of the Fiesta. It's a neck breaking procedure getting in. Even the front is cramped.